The Ministries of Transport and Finance have unlocked authority by granting the Department of Airports full management of state land at 28 regional airports. The goal is to increase passenger options for purchasing goods and services, distribute income to local communities, and boost the regional economy. The Director-General of the Department of Airports declared he willgeneratehigher revenue from300 millionbaht per yearan increase of 100%
Mr. Phattharaphong Phattharaprasit, Deputy Minister of Transport, revealed after signing a memorandum of understanding between the Treasury Department and the Department of Airports (DCA) that this cooperation represents an integrated government effort to delegate authority to the Department of Airports to manage state land assets within 28 regional airports more flexibly for commercial development to generate revenue forthe DCA,and to enhance operational efficiency at regional airports to support travel growth and local economic development in line with the goal ofpromotingregional airports as key drivers for regional development, linking air transport with the economy and tourism to spread prosperity to the regions (Airport for Regional Development).
Mr. Danai Ruangsorn, Director-General of the Department of Airports (DCA), added that this delegation from the Treasury Department provides a new framework enabling the DCA todirectly sign lease or concession agreements with private entities for projects valued up to 500 million baht and to extend contract durations beyond the previous maximum of 3 years flexibly as appropriate.For indoor leased areas, contracts can last up to 10 years (and up to 15 years for duty-free shops). Outdoor areas of up to 2 rai can be leased for up to 20 years, and areas exceeding 2 rai for up to 30 years. With these expanded management powers, the DCAcan increase revenueby developing various commercial spaceswithin airports.It is projected that current annual revenue averaging 300 million bahtwill riseby100% or approximately600 million baht per year after payments to the Treasury.
Additionally, the DCA now has authority to manage contracts and pursue civil, criminal, and administrative cases to protect state interests. The Department emphasized it will use this opportunity to develop commercial areas that meet passenger and airline needs amid changing circumstances, such as adding restaurants, coffee shops, and new facilities. It will also allocate rotating spaces for community enterprises and small businesses so that airports become “local economic centers” connecting travel with provincial income generation.
Mr. Akarut Sontayanon, Director-General of the Treasury Department, added at the end that the Treasury, as the supervisor ofstate land, has a crucial missionto manage state assets efficiently, transparently, and to maximize public benefit. It pursues a strategy to increase the value of national assets through the VALUE strategy to advance Thailand towards sustainability. This memorandum of understanding marks an important step in implementing the Treasury's VALUE strategy and adjusts operational mechanisms to align with current airport development contexts by empowering the Department of Airports to manage and utilize state land more flexibly within legal frameworks, good governance principles, and Treasury oversight.
This not only facilitates management but also promotes investment, infrastructure development, and increased state asset value at regional airports nationwide, leading to improved service quality for the public, passengers, and local businesses. This cooperation represents a model of integrated government work focusing on shared success by generating economic and social value and tangible public benefits, and jointly pushing forward this collaboration as a starting point for maximizing state asset benefits for the nation.
. The cooperation will serve as a model for integrated government agency work, aiming for joint success by creating economic, social value and tangible benefits for the public, and will be the starting point for maximizing state asset benefits for the country.
The signing ceremony was attended by Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport,,Dr. Aeknithi Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance,,and Mr. Phattharaphong Phattharaprasit, Deputy Minister of Transport, who presided over and witnessed the memorandum signing between the Treasury Department (TRE) and the Department of Airports (DCA) at the Rajrot Club Meeting Room, Ministry of Transport. The signing was conducted by Mr. Chayatham Promsorn, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, and Mr. Lawan Saengsanit, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, along with executives from the Department of Airports led by Mr. Danai Ruangsorn, Director-General of the Department of Airports,and executives from the Treasury Department led by Mr. Akarut Sontayanon, Director-General of the Treasury Department.