NAKHON PHANOM, Thailand – Deputy Minister of Transport Manaporn Charoensri has visited Nakhon Phanom Airport to inspect the progress of aviation infrastructure improvements aimed at boosting regional connectivity in Thailand’s northeast. During the visit, she met with executives from Nakhon Phanom Airport, Udon Thani Airport, and Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd. to review upgrades to electrical systems, emergency response protocols, and safety standards, while promoting the “Living Airport” policy to support local economic development and tourism.
Minister Manaporn also assessed the status of broader development projects across the Upper Northeastern Provincial Cluster 2, covering Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, and Mukdahan provinces. Key projects include the planned strengthening of runways and taxiways at Nakhon Phanom and Sakon Nakhon airports, and the master plan and environmental impact assessment for a new airport in Mukdahan. A new passenger terminal design is also underway to improve air transport links with neighboring countries along the East-West Economic Corridor.
During her visit, the deputy minister announced that Thai Lion Air will launch a new Don Mueang–Nakhon Phanom route, with the first flight scheduled for June 19. To promote the new service, the airline will receive a 50 percent reduction in landing and parking fees for the first three months.
After the inspection, Manaporn attended an exhibition on the “Safe Agricultural Drone” program developed by Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd. The project supports the use of drone technology to promote precision farming, reduce rice cultivation costs to under 5,000 baht per rai of land, and increase sustainable crop yields, supporting the government’s “One Subdistrict, One Agricultural Drone” policy. (NNT)
