The Ministry of Transport is upgrading regional airports nationwide into seamless public transport hubs, piloting the Udon Thani–Vientiane route and advancing a passenger transport center at Krabi Airport by 2027.
Mr. Pattarapong Pattaraprasit, Deputy Minister of Transport, revealed that the Ministry is driving the “Airport for Regional Development” policy, aiming to elevate regional airports beyond mere aircraft landing points into gateways connecting people, cities, tourist destinations, economic zones, and neighboring countries. It also promotes optimal use of Department of Airports’ land for public benefit and area development.
Mr. Pattarapong added that future airport development must prioritize passenger journeys from the terminal to their final destination by integrating air travel with other transport modes such as public buses, shuttles, licensed taxis, ride-hailing apps, bus terminals, train stations, as well as routes to tourist sites and key economic areas.
“The Airport for Regional Development policy does not only mean enhancing airport capacity or facilities internally, but making airports part of the local transport system. Passengers should be able to conveniently, safely, and affordably travel from the airport to city centers, bus terminals, train stations, tourist attractions, and economic zones,” he said. The Department of Airports should survey the capacity and land use of its airports, considering passenger volumes, traffic conditions, existing public transport, and provincial development plans to determine appropriate travel connectivity development for each location, Mr. Pattarapong explained.
Meanwhile, Mr. Danai Ruangson, Director-General of the Department of Airports (DOA), stated that the DOA is implementing this policy by using passenger travel data and demand to plan land use, coordinating with relevant agencies to enhance airport transport connectivity efficiently. Public passenger transport centers are now operational at Surat Thani and Ubon Ratchathani airports. Funding has been allocated in 2027 to construct a similar center at Krabi Airport to support connections between air and road transport, facilitating systematic travel to city centers, tourist spots, and economic zones.
Furthermore, for public service areas, the DOA focuses on key components including designated zones for public bus and shuttle pick-up/drop-off, orderly licensed taxi and ride-hailing app service points, entrance and traffic management near terminals, waiting areas and travel information points, signage showing routes, schedules, and fares, facilities for the elderly and disabled, and connections to bus terminals, train stations, cities, and tourist destinations.
Regarding route connectivity, Udon Thani Airport recently began international bus services on the Udon Thani–Udon Thani Airport–Vientiane route starting 9 Sep 2026. This exemplifies utilizing airport space to support continuous travel between air and road transport systems, allowing passengers to travel to Laos without detouring into city centers. This connection also enhances Udon Thani Airport's role as a travel gateway for Udon Thani province, neighboring provinces, and the Mekong subregion, supporting tourism, trade, investment, and people-to-people contacts between Thailand and Laos.
Mr. Danai said, “The Department of Airports aims to manage airport land for maximum public benefit. Developing transport connectivity areas ensures travel extends beyond the airport itself to cities, communities, tourist sites, and neighboring countries in a systematic way, aligning with the goal of using airports as engines for regional development.”
The Ministry of Transport will encourage affiliated agencies to jointly develop seamless transport connections, using regional airports as convenient, safe, and accessible travel hubs to improve quality of life, travel efficiency, and sustainable economic opportunities in the regions.
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