"Pattharaphong" leads at Nakhon Phanom, launching aviation emergency plan drill KOP-EMEX 2026 Orders Department of Airports to expedite flight increases, address costly tickets to stimulate economy
Mr. Pattharaphong Pattharaprasit, Deputy Minister of Transport visited Nakhon Phanom Airport to monitor aviation transport operations under the Ministry of Transport, presiding over the opening of the Nakhon Phanom Airport emergency and contingency plan drill for 2026 (KOP-EMEX 2026). Present were Lieutenant Colonel Adisak Noisuwan, Governor of Nakhon Phanom; Mr. Jirapong Theppitak, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport; Mr. Narong Arunpakmongkol, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Airports (DOA); Mr. Thaloengsak Phathong, Executive Director (Regional Air Services) of Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Limited (AEROTHAI); Mr. Panya Satchatham, Director of Nakhon Phanom Airport; Ms. Supapanee Phosoo, Member of Parliament for Nakhon Phanom; heads of government agencies; security units; rescue teams; emergency medical units; and other related agencies.
Mr. Pattharaphong stated that Nakhon Phanom Province has an airport as a key air transport infrastructure supporting travel by residents, tourists, and users from both domestic and neighboring countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion. As a border city and economic, tourism, and transport hub, air transport plays a vital role in the country's economy and society. Therefore, safety is a core priority requiring continuous enhancement. He has ordered the DOA to conduct full-scale emergency and contingency drills at all 28 airports under its jurisdiction continuously to ensure all personnel are prepared to handle possible real situations.
The drill simulated a realistic scenario of an aircraft accident within the airport accompanied by unlawful interference, integrating cooperation from various agencies such as rescue and firefighting units, emergency medical teams, police, military, and local government and private sector agencies to enable unified mission execution and achieve maximum safety goals. The KOP-EMEX drill aims to test personnel readiness, management systems, and multi-sector coordination in responding to aviation emergencies, raising airport safety standards to align with international norms, thereby building lasting confidence among residents, tourists, and air transport users in Nakhon Phanom.
Additionally, he assigned the Department of Airports to seek ways to increase flights to meet rising travel demand from residents and businesses in the area, and to investigate complaints requesting government intervention regarding the previously high air ticket prices.
The Deputy Minister also instructed the DOA to allocate and develop airport spaces to increase the number of OTOP shops, promoting and creating market opportunities for local wisdom products from the people of Nakhon Phanom Province.
After opening KOP-EMEX 2026, Mr. Pattharaphong inspected operations at the Nakhon Phanom Air Traffic Control Tower, overseen by the Udon Thani Air Traffic Control Center, to hear about issues, challenges, and suggestions for improving work. He emphasized the DOA and AEROTHAI must continuously uphold safety standards to ensure concrete results that benefit the public and the nation.
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