Thailand to expand major airports to deal with rising tourist numbers

Thailand is set to expand at least four of its major international airports in response to the predicted return of foreign tourists following the Covid-19 pandemic. Deputy Government Spokeswoman, Traisulee Taisaranakul, announced the plans today. She noted that the expansion is aimed at accommodating predictions made by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) of 200 million foreign arrivals by 2031.

The four airports earmarked for expansion include Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Don Mueang International Airport, U-Tapao International Airport in Rayong, and Phuket International Airport. The construction of the Satellite Airport Terminal-1 (SAT-1) at Suvarnabhumi International Airport has already been completed and the Transport Ministry will begin using the new terminal this year, increasing the airport’s capacity from 45 million…