Hold onto your boarding passes, folks, because it looks like Trang Airport is finally ready to spread its wings after years of turbulence. With enough drama and plot twists to make a soap opera envious, the long-awaited revamp of Trang’s terminal is gearing up to open its sleek new doors next month. But, as with any epic journey, there have been some major bumps along the runway.
The project has been under the watchful eye of the People’s Party, promising not to take their eyes off the airport’s massive 4.4-billion-baht facelift. For those keeping score, this endeavor has been delayed more times than a plane stuck in an endless holding pattern. Yet, glimmers of hope are finally breaking through the stormy clouds as one crucial phase of the renovation is nearing take-off.
Enter Rukchanok Srinork, our hero—or at least, the Bangkok MP and member of the House committee tasked with keeping financial tabs on the country’s projects. Armed with a new contractor, Rukchanok has been overseeing the final touches on Project 2. This involves the completion of a shiny, brand-new passenger terminal costing a cool 1.06 billion baht. The original contractor threw in the towel when the project was a tantalizing 98% done, but fret not, because we’re on a glide path to completion.
“Congratulations to the people of Trang,” Rukchanok exclaimed, likely with imaginary champagne in hand. “Here’s to another long-overdue government project finally making it off the ‘to-do’ list.” In true nail-biting fashion, a committee inquiry revealed what every Thai soap fan could have guessed: contractor drama was the villain slowing down the process.
Speaking of villains, Danai Ruengsorn, Director General of the Department of Airports, spilled the beans on the previous contractor taking flight mid-project, leading the government to rip up contracts faster than a boarding pass in frustration. With a new firm swooping in for 34 million baht, plus a tidy 53-million-baht security deposit from the deserter, Trang Airport is set to open its terminal for domestic flights come June. International passengers will soon follow suit in October, provided the final touches, like baggage systems and management software, fly into place.
Around the airstrip, other projects are starting to gain momentum. Project 1, which jazzed up the runway, taxiway, aprons, and electrical systems, has landed without a hitch, costing 678.4 million baht. Project 3, an ambitious runway extension and infrastructure lift, is at a respectable 37% completion. However, Project 4, involving land expropriation to give the runway some extra legroom, has leapfrogged to 51% but is crying for an infusion of 600 million baht to cross the finish line.
With all these dueling dramas, stakes rising higher than an inflight movie, and a bill soaring into the billions, the folks of Trang are crossing their fingers, toes, and perhaps even eyes that no more plot twists stall their long-promised airport. Here’s to hoping Trang Airport trades its turbulent past for a smooth, jet-set future!
About time this airport gets back on track. I’ve seen enough delayed projects in my lifetime!
True, but think about the economy boost this could bring. Tourism in Trang hasn’t reached its potential.
Exactly! The local businesses are going to thrive with more visitors.
Let’s just hope the government doesn’t mess up this time. We’ve seen this movie before.
Is anyone else concerned about the cost overruns? This is a massive amount of public funds!
Sounds to me like they need better project managers. Why does every major government project have these issues?
Sue, it’s always the contractors’ fault. They take the money and run!
I’m just hoping they don’t cut corners on safety to make up for these delays.
That’s a valid point. Safety should always come first.
I’ll believe it when I see it. Government projects always have a way of dragging into eternity.
I was skeptical too, but they seem to be making progress finally.
If Rukchanok is involved, maybe there’s hope. She’s got a good record.
All this fuss over an airport when there are bigger issues the country is facing. Priorities, people!
Why not just cut the losses and start fresh? A new airport somewhere else might be faster and cheaper.
It’s not that simple, Ravi. A lot of planning has already gone into this location.
Moving would also cause massive issues with land rights and local communities.
Rukchanok sounds like she’s doing a great job. Not many politicians have the guts to fix messes like these.
Thomas, it’s her job to oversee these things. Let’s see if she delivers.
Having competent leaders is half the battle. At least she’s transparent.
Trang’s going to be the new Phuket soon! Can’t wait to visit when the international terminal opens.
Don’t jinx it! Let’s hope it all goes smoothly.
Great, so we can expect even more traffic and tourist chaos. Just what Trang needed. 🙄
For all its hiccups, this project could put Trang on the map as a travel destination.
Agreed, but without proper infrastructure in place, it’s going to be a disaster.
Hopefully, the other projects catch up too. It needs to be a complete overhaul.
I wonder if this will lead to cheaper flights to and from Trang. Fingers crossed!
Let’s not forget the economic impact ongoing construction has. It’s not all negative; jobs are created.
That’s true, but it seems we’re paying a heavy price for jobs that could be created elsewhere.
Next thing you know, they’ll add a duty-free mall to cover extra costs!
Haha, wouldn’t surprise me at all!