Thailand New Regional Airports

Thailand’s major airport operator, Airports of Thailand (AOT), is conducting two feasibility studies on the investment potential, economic benefits, financial returns, and environmental impacts of two new provincial airports, each with a passenger capacity of 40 million people annually.

The first airport is Andaman International Airport in Phang Nga province (Phuket) in southern Thailand.  The airport will be constructed on a 2,570-acre plot of land, 40 percent owned by the Thai Treasury Department and 60 percent to be expropriated from private owners.  Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with completion in 2032 at a total cost of approximately $2.2 billion.  

The second airport is Lanna International Airport, located on 2,569 acres of land in Ban Thi district, Lamphun province (Chiang Mai), at a cost of around $2.1 billion.  Most of the land targeted for airport construction belongs to private owners.  Construction is expected to begin in 2027.  

Unlike other airports operated by AOT and supported by AOT investment, AOT plans to invite airlines and private investors to invest in these two new airport projects.  In the future, AOT will use its funds only to maintain and expand existing airports under management while financing new airport projects through these types of partnerships.

Thailand is accelerating the development of airports to support a growing number of international visitors, offering opportunities for U.S. companies in airport design and construction, ground support equipment, security screening equipment, and airfield lighting equipment, among others.  For additional information, please contact Senior Commercial Specialist Kitisorn Sookpradist at Kitisorn.Sookpradist@trade.gov.