Thailand’s military government will press ahead with a multi-billion dollar expansion of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport, which will include construction of a third runway, Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong has announced.
"The second-phase expansion of Suvarnabhumi airport will have to be done quickly to meet increasing numbers of tourists," he said.
He also said another three regional airports will be constructed in border regions, thought to be in Uttaradit, Kanchanaburi and Sa Kaeo provinces.
Other regional airports will also be upgraded over the next five years.
"Apart from Thai people, more Chinese and Muslims are expected because of the cooperation between Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia and the transport ministry must map out plans to serve these groups of people," said transport minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith.
Suvarnabhumi airport, which cost US$4 billion to build, opened in 2006 and is already at breaking point, last year exceeding its official passenger capacity of 45 million.
The expansion plan would increase capacity at Suvarnabhumi to around 80 million passengers a year.
