Plans for a new airport are underway in Phayao, a province in northern Thailand, aiming to bolster tourism in the region. The project, expected to cost around 2 billion baht, has garnered attention as Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and delegates scouted potential sites on March 18, amid a mobile Cabinet meeting.
The envisioned airport, part of a broader initiative to elevate Phayao as a prominent tourist destination, has gained traction during the two-day mobile Cabinet meeting, which commenced yesterday and concludes today. Among the various items on the agenda, the airport project took center stage, signaling the government’s commitment to infrastructural development in the region.
During the scouting expedition, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his team explored potential locations within the regions of tambon Don Si Chum and tambon Baan Tham in Dok Kham Tai district. The endeavor, aimed at ensuring strategic positioning and accessibility, aligns with the government’s vision to enhance connectivity and economic growth in northern Thailand.
Under the purview of the Department of Airports (DoA), the proposed Phayao Airport is slated to occupy a sprawling area of 2,812 rai in Dok Kham Tai district, situated approximately 18 kilometers from the city center. Noteworthy features of the airport design include a 2.5-kilometer runway, two taxiways, and a terminal infused with local Lanna arts, paying homage to the province’s cultural heritage.
Anticipated to commence operations by 2034, the airport aims to cater to an annual average of 78,000 users initially, with projections indicating an increase to approximately 94,000 users annually by 2037. Currently, the project is in the phase of runway and taxiway design, with concurrent efforts underway for an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study to ensure sustainable development practices.
The mobile Cabinet meeting, attended by provincial governor Ratthaphol Naradisorn and over 500 local inhabitants, underscored the significance of community involvement and engagement in the decision-making process. As plans for the Phayao Airport progress, stakeholders remain optimistic about the potential economic and social benefits it could bring to the region, further solidifying Thailand’s position as a leading tourist destination in Southeast Asia.
