Thailand plans third Bangkok airport

Thailand’s Ministry of Transport’s Airports Department is proposing a third international airport in the Nakhon Pathom province, about 50km west of downtown Bangkok. If approved, construction will begin as early as 2023 and the airport is planned to be operational in 2 to 3 years. Airports Department deputy director-general Jarun Meesomboon said the airport will span 560-hectares and will cost around THB20b (US$646m). Initially, Nakhon Pathom airport is expected to handle 1m passengers annually, and eventually 25m when all phases are complete. The third airport is planned to ease the capital’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, both handling beyond capacity where air traffic often experiences delays with limited slots. Suvarnabhumi’s second terminal was delayed after the govt halted the project. <br/>