Phiphat Ordered Airports of Thailand (AOT) to proceed with expanding the capacity of airports, including Don Mueang, with an investment of 80 billion baht over five years. This year, a proposal will be submitted to the Cabinet for the tender of the eastern passenger terminal extension at Suvarnabhumi Airport valued at 12 billion baht. Paveena Confident in having the investment budget ready, showing accumulated cash flow exceeding 10 billion baht. Regarding Don Mueang Airport expansion plans, she acknowledged that the budget has risen from the originally studied 36 billion baht to over 69 billion baht due to the war, increased construction costs, and more detailed operational designs.
Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, revealed after giving policy directions to Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT). He instructed AOT to expedite the tender process for the second contract of apron and ground equipment services at Suvarnabhumi Airport, and the second contract for cargo warehouse services at the same airport, as these contracts will expire by September 2026. At the same time, he urged AOT to quickly submit projects to the Cabinet for approval and tender processes, including the eastern passenger terminal expansion at Suvarnabhumi Airport and the Phase 3 expansion of Don Mueang Airport. This is due to the current upward trend in air travel statistics and the government's policy to develop Thailand as a global travel and transfer hub.
Meanwhile, Ms. Paveena Jariyathitipong, President of Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT), said that AOT plans to invest about 80 billion baht over five years to expand airport capacity. Most projects have completed feasibility studies and are under consideration by the National Economic and Social Development Council. The pilot project ready for Cabinet submission and tender this year is the East Expansion project, valued at about 12 billion baht, with a tender expected by year-end and construction starting in early 2027. Construction will take four years, with service opening in 2030.
Additionally, AOT will expedite the submission and implementation of Don Mueang Airport Phase 3 expansion, with a total budget of 69 billion baht. Originally, the project design and evaluation estimated 36 billion baht, but costs increased due to the war and rising construction prices. The previous assessment lacked practical details. Within the first five years, investment in initial infrastructure and Terminal 3 will total about 30 billion baht, expected to be submitted to the Cabinet this year and construction to start early next year.
Ms. Paveena added that over the five-year investment plan, AOT will also push forward the master development plan for Suvarnabhumi Airport (2025 edition), expecting to build infrastructure and utilities with an investment of about 20 billion baht. This includes Phuket Airport Phase 2, with an investment of approximately 10 billion baht, aiming to increase its capacity to 18 million passengers annually from the current 12.5 million.
"AOT is financially prepared for the planned investments, having allocated part of the budget separately from an average accumulated cash flow of about 10 billion baht. Therefore, we are confident in our readiness to invest and will definitely not borrow money during the first five years," she said.
Read the news " Government Policy " for more