Construction of a second runway at U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport is set to begin this year, marking a significant development in Thailand’s aviation infrastructure. The project, overseen by the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), aims to enhance the airport’s capacity to handle larger aircraft and accommodate increased air traffic.
Chula Sukmanop, secretary-general of the EEC, announced that the project is applying for a loan from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to help fund the construction. Italian-Thai Development (ITD) has been selected as the contractor for the project, which is expected to cost approximately 15.2 billion baht in total.
The second runway, which will be 3,505 metres long and positioned 1,140 metres from the current runway, is expected to handle up to 70 flights per hour. The project is being planned in collaboration with the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), which plays a key role in the airport’s development.
Despite the runway construction progressing, the EEC has raised concerns about delays in another critical infrastructure project—the high-speed railway connecting Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports. The railway system, a flagship project of the EEC, is currently under negotiation between the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and Asia Era One, a subsidiary of Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group.
According to Chula, the design for a high-speed rail tunnel that will pass beneath the second runway is already complete, and the contract stipulates that it must be built within 18 months of the runway’s construction start. The entire runway project is expected to take 36 months to complete. If the tunnel construction faces delays, the EEC has proposed that the work be shifted from Asia Era One to the SRT to avoid impacting the runway’s progress.
In addition, U-Tapao International Aviation CEO Weerawat Phantawangkul noted that broader airport development plans are expected to commence next year, with construction projected to last at least five years. The development includes three large building projects spanning a 6,500-rai area, requiring an investment of at least 100 billion baht in the first phase alone.
Key figures such as EEC deputy secretary-general Tharit Issarayangyun emphasized the importance of the project for boosting the region’s economic potential, while discussions about potential delays continue among stakeholders.
