Bangkok Airways is rolling up its sleeves and rolling out a plan that could put Trat Airport firmly on the map as the eastern kingdom’s aviation hub. At a press briefing held at Trat Airport on September 1, CEO Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth laid out an ambitious upgrade designed to turbo‑charge tourism, invite more carriers, and give the province’s economy a lift.
Small airport, big ambitions
Located on 1,600 rai in Tha Som subdistrict, Khao Saming district, Trat Airport is already a key gateway to islands and coastal retreats. Owned and operated by Bangkok Airways, the airport punches above its weight: in the first half of this year it welcomed 40,427 passengers, a number the airline expects to swell during the upcoming high season as European travel to Thailand continues to recover.
Puttipong stressed that Trat is a popular draw for European visitors — many of whom are core customers for Bangkok Airways — and that the airport’s geographic position, close to Koh Chang and the Cambodian border, makes it a natural candidate for an upgrade that could unlock far more inbound and regional traffic.
What’s changing (and why it matters)
The project’s first phase is slated for completion by Q3 next year and comes with a clear goal: to make Trat Airport more competitive for both domestic and international services, and to make it attractive for other airlines, including low-cost carriers.
Key elements of the upgrade include:
- Runway extension from 1.8 kilometres to 2.0 kilometres — enough to help the airport handle a wider mix of aircraft.
- Additional aircraft parking bays that will accommodate either three small‑to‑medium jets, or a mix of turboprops and medium jets simultaneously.
- Expansion of the passenger terminal from 2,100 to 3,400 square metres, increasing the airport’s annual handling capacity to about 250,000 passengers.
- An overall investment of roughly 400 million baht for this phase.
Those figures are more than just numbers on a spreadsheet. A longer runway and expanded apron space mean Trat Airport can support more frequent flights, larger aircraft, and a broader mix of destinations — from domestic leisure hotspots to cross-border routes into Cambodia.
New routes on the horizon
If passenger growth continues its upward trend, previously paused services could make a comeback. Routes to Surat Thani’s Koh Samui and Krabi — both huge draws for sun‑seeking travelers — may be revived. On the international front, Bangkok Airways is eyeing Cambodian destinations such as Siem Reap, Koh Kong, and Sihanoukville, though those plans hinge on improvements in border conditions.
Crucially, the airline says it’s open to welcoming other commercial carriers, including budget airlines, which would significantly diversify supply and could lower fares. That kind of competition normally translates into more options for passengers and stronger tourism numbers for the province.
Why Trat benefits
Trat’s location is a strategic plus. The airport sits only about 35 kilometres from downtown Trat and just 17 kilometres from the Koh Chang ferry pier, making it an ideal entry point for island-hopping tourists and regional travelers. Better air connectivity could mean quicker transfers for holidaymakers bound for Koh Chang, Koh Mak, and other Gulf islands — and more tourists staying longer in Trat town itself.
Beyond convenience, the upgrade has wider economic implications. More flights can bring more visitors, which boosts hotel bookings, restaurant revenues, and day‑trip operators. Local businesses stand to gain, employment opportunities could expand, and the province’s profile as a travel destination will rise.
Practical operations — what to expect
For now, Bangkok Airways runs two daily round‑trip flights between Bangkok and Trat, and the airline plans to add a third daily rotation from October to meet seasonal demand. That incremental frequency is a telltale sign: the airline expects stronger demand in the coming months and is positioning capacity accordingly while the upgrade is underway.
Once the expansion is complete and if other carriers are enticed to operate, travelers can expect more schedule choices, better connectivity to domestic and regional hotspots, and a smoother experience at a larger terminal designed for higher traffic.
Room for optimism — and caution
The upgrade is an exciting blueprint for Trat’s future, but its full impact will depend on several factors: sustained tourist demand (especially from Europe), the return of paused routes, and regional stability that would allow cross‑border services to resume. The 400 million baht investment is significant for a regional airport, and if the traffic targets are met, the payoff could be measured in jobs, visitor nights, and stronger local businesses.
In short, Bangkok Airways’ plan is more than tarmac and terminal space — it’s a strategic nudge to push Trat from a charming regional stopover to a bona fide regional aviation hub. For anyone who loves easy access to Koh Chang’s beaches or dreams of a quick flight to a nearby Cambodian temple, those shiny new gates can’t arrive soon enough.
This runway extension is a waste — more tourists will just trash Koh Chang. We don’t need bigger airports, we need limits on visitors.
That’s a narrow view; tourism funds local schools and hospitals, and jobs matter here more than pristine beaches for some families.
I get that jobs matter, but uncontrolled growth destroys what tourists come for in the first place, and then there is nothing left to sustain the economy.
Restricting visitors isn’t realistic; regulation and sustainable tourism models are better than closing doors.
Sustainable tourism sounds good on paper, but who enforces it when local authorities depend on tourist money?
400 million baht is a big bet. If passenger numbers don’t hit targets, taxpayers or shareholders could get burned.
Bangkok Airways is private so shareholders will feel it first, but the ripple effect could still harm local vendors.
Exactly, and airlines often overpromise route returns. We’ve seen regional airports struggle when projections fall short.
But small expansions can be self-fulfilling: more capacity attracts airlines, which can attract tourists if marketed right.
Opening routes to Cambodia is brilliant — Siem Reap could become a weekend package with Koh Chang, boosting both countries.
Cross-border routes help regional integration, but they require coordinated visa policies and border infrastructure to work long-term.
True, and without streamlined border processes travelers get frustrated and choose easier destinations.
As a flight attendant I’ve seen Trat full on holiday weekends; a third daily rotation might barely keep up with October demand.
Lower fares from LCCs would be a game changer for backpackers and young travelers who avoid pricey Bangkok Airways tickets.
But low-cost carriers often cut service quality and push extra fees; cheaper doesn’t always equal better travel experiences.
Fees aside, competition usually forces prices down and expands choices, which is good for the market overall.
From an economic perspective, the multiplier effects of increased air connectivity can be substantial, but only if infrastructure beyond the airport keeps pace.
What other infrastructure specifically? Roads, ferries to Koh Chang, and waste management systems need upgrades too.
Exactly, integration matters: efficient ferry links, public transport, and environmental safeguards are crucial for sustainable gains.
Funding those linked projects is the rub — who pays for ferry terminals or better roads if the airport doesn’t generate expected revenue?
I’m in 6th grade and my teacher talked about tourism causing trash. If more planes come, will animals be safe? This worries me.
Local entrepreneurs should welcome this: airport growth often creates hospitality, tour, and transport jobs for residents.
I say this as someone who runs a small guesthouse; more direct flights mean fewer connection headaches and more bookings.
Guesthouses might benefit short-term, but big hotels and foreign investors could push locals out unless policies protect small operators.
Fair point — local protections and incentives for small businesses should be part of any development plan.
Don’t forget the farmers; more visitors can mean more demand for local produce but also rising land prices that squeeze smallholders.
Balancing agricultural livelihoods with tourism is tricky, but local markets can prosper if integrated into the tourism supply chain.
Integration helps, but it has to be fair: middlemen and big buyers shouldn’t swallow the profits meant for farmers.
Environmental impact assessments were not mentioned in the press release; that’s a red flag for me.
They probably did assessments internally, but public transparency matters if the community is to trust the project.
Right, and publishing independent EIAs would calm fears and show Bangkok Airways takes sustainability seriously.
As a retired airport engineer, 2.0 km runway still limits widebodies but it smartly targets turboprops and narrowbodies which suits regional routes.
I’m all for connectivity but worried this could entrench Bangkok Airways’ monopoly in Trat and keep fares artificially high.
They invited budget carriers, so other airlines might enter if the airport is attractive, which would ease monopoly concerns.
Invitation is fine, but incentives and slot rules matter; if Bangkok Airways controls slots or pricing, competition could still be limited.
Local jobs are the selling point but how many of those positions will be temporary or low-paid? Quality of employment matters.
Some jobs will be entry-level, but training programs can upskill workers and create career paths in aviation and tourism.
Training costs time and money; without firm commitments from the airline and government, promises ring hollow.
I used to fly into Trat in the 90s; the region has changed a lot and I think better connectivity will bring valuable economic resilience.
That said, the old quiet charm is part of the appeal — it would be sad to lose it to overdevelopment.
You’re saying the same thing I feared: resilience might come at the cost of what made the place special.
We need smart planning to keep charm while adding resilience; there’s no zero-sum solution if stakeholders collaborate.
Border stability is mentioned as a constraint for Cambodia routes, but politics swings; airlines must model different demand scenarios.
I hope trains to Trat are considered someday; air travel helps, but multimodal access keeps costs down for locals.
Rail would be ideal but costs and terrain complicate that. Still, improved buses and scheduled ferries are realistic near-term gains.
Buses plus ferries could work well if timed with flights to reduce layover frustration for tourists.
I run tours and I welcome more flights, but I’m worried about peak season overcrowding — local infrastructure like toilets and waste collection must scale fast.
From a travel industry perspective, marketing packages linking Koh Chang and Siem Reap would be popular in Europe and help spread tourist spending regionally.
Agreed, but ticketing and customs would need to be simplified to make multi-destination packages seamless and attractive.
Integrated tickets and easy visas are doable with political will; it’s more a question of coordination than money.
I live near the ferry pier and congestion is already bad on holiday mornings; a bigger airport could make that worse unless traffic management improves.
As someone who values nature, I’m skeptical that economic benefits justify habitat loss. Tourism must be limited in sensitive zones.
My teacher said jobs are good but we also must protect turtles; maybe limit boat speeds if more tourists come.
The airport expansion seems moderate, not megaproject scale; if executed with proper safeguards it could be a win-win.
Moderate doesn’t mean harmless; short runways require careful flight paths to avoid noise over residential areas.
Will airlines actually start routes to Koh Samui and Krabi again or is that just hopeful PR? Historical cancellations make me cynical.
Those routes make sense seasonally and could come back if demand stabilizes, but don’t expect daily flights immediately.
Seasonal demand is fine, but locals need steady year-round jobs, not just high-season spikes.
Agreed — complementary off-season events and promotions can help even out tourist flows.
I’m excited — faster access to islands means more weekend trips and less travel fatigue for families like mine.