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U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya Airport Expansion: New Runway Construction and High-Speed Rail Developments

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The U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport is setting the stage for a major transformation with the construction of its second runway slated to kick off this year. According to Chula Sukmanop, the secretary-general of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), efforts are underway to secure funding from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for this ambitious venture.

Italian-Thai Development (ITD) has been selected as the project’s contractor, says Mr. Chula. What’s more, this monumental undertaking is set to unfold in collaboration with the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), according to EEC’s deputy secretary-general, Tharit Issarayangyun.

The new runway, stretching a whopping 3,505 metres, will be strategically situated 1,140 metres away from the current one. Designed to accommodate large aircraft and anticipated to manage at least 70 flights an hour, this addition is poised to significantly enhance the airport’s capacity. All in all, the project investment hovers around an impressive 15.2 billion baht, Mr. Tharit reveals.

However, amidst all this excitement, the EEC has raised eyebrows over the sluggish progress of another key infrastructure project: the high-speed railway connecting Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports. This high-speed rail system, which stands as a flagship EEC project, has already inked a contract with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and Asia Era One, a subsidiary of the Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group. Negotiations are in full swing and are expected to wrap up by the end of this month.

Mr. Chula mentioned that the high-speed rail tunnel, which will meander under the new runway, has already seen its design finalized. The runway construction is projected to span 36 months, while the high-speed rail segment beneath it must wrap up within 18 months of the runway’s commencement, as stipulated in the contract between the RTN and ITD.

Mr. Tharit emphasized that if the high-speed train tunnel isn’t completed by early 2025, the EEC may propose cutting this segment from the joint venture with Asia Era One, passing the baton to the SRT to ensure the smooth continuation of the airport runway’s construction. “We’ve kept the SRT and Asia Era One in the loop. Everyone’s aware of the contingency plan,” Mr. Tharit assured.

Spanning approximately three to four kilometres, the high-speed rail tunnel segment transitioning under the runway and leading into the passenger terminal carries an estimated construction cost of around 10 billion baht.

On a related note, Weerawat Phantawangkul, the CEO of U-Tapao International Aviation, disclosed that comprehensive airport development plans are in the wings, slated to begin next year. Construction efforts, set to last at least five years, encompass three primary building projects over a sprawling 6,500-rai area, with an initial investment of no less than 100 billion baht earmarked for the first phase of this grand transformation.

With these colossal plans on the horizon, U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport is poised to redefine its role as a key aviation hub, beckoning brighter skies ahead. Buckle up; the journey is going to be exhilarating!

32 Comments

  1. Joe D. September 10, 2024

    This sounds like a huge waste of money! Aren’t there enough runways already?

    • Anna F. September 10, 2024

      I disagree, Joe. Increasing capacity can be beneficial for economic growth in the region. More tourists, more flights, more business!

      • Ben10 September 10, 2024

        Plus, the jobs created by such an undertaking will help local communities. Thank you, Anna!

      • Joe D. September 10, 2024

        But what about the environmental impact? More airplanes mean more pollution.

  2. Cynthia Davis September 10, 2024

    The high-speed rail project seems like a bigger issue. Why is it taking so long?

    • Sammy September 10, 2024

      Typical government inefficiency. They can never get anything done on time.

    • Jake Hellman September 10, 2024

      It’s not just inefficiency. Such large infrastructure projects are complicated and involve many stakeholders.

  3. PilotX September 10, 2024

    As a pilot, I think the new runway is crucial. The current capacity is just not enough, especially during peak hours.

    • Flygirl September 10, 2024

      Absolutely! It helps with reducing delays and improves overall safety.

    • Joe D. September 10, 2024

      Are delays that bad right now? I never experienced any major issues.

      • PilotX September 10, 2024

        Maybe you were lucky, Joe. For us pilots, even a small delay can have a snowball effect.

  4. EcoWarrior2024 September 10, 2024

    More runways? More railways? What about the planet? This is catastrophic for the environment!

    • Chris B. September 10, 2024

      Sustainability practices can be incorporated. Clean energy, eco-friendly designs, etc.

  5. Larissa September 10, 2024

    How about investing in better public health facilities instead of these enormous projects?

    • John Q. September 10, 2024

      Why not both? These projects can stimulate the economy and in turn, fund better public services.

  6. TravelerTom September 10, 2024

    A high-speed rail connecting major airports is a game changer! Imagine the convenience.

    • Elsa M. September 10, 2024

      Absolutely! It could save so much travel time for frequent flyers.

    • Claudia September 10, 2024

      Convenient for travelers, maybe. But who really benefits? Corporations and contractors?

  7. Jake Rogers September 10, 2024

    What’s the financial accountability of such huge projects? Who ensures there’s no corruption?

    • Willow September 10, 2024

      Good point! Proper auditing and transparency should be enforced.

    • Accountant_Anna September 11, 2024

      In such large-scale projects, attracting international investment requires thorough accountability.

  8. Nate W. September 10, 2024

    From what I’ve read, these infrastructure projects tend to go massively over budget. What guarantees are there here?

    • EngineerMike September 10, 2024

      Budgets are often set with contingencies. Still, unforeseen costs can arise.

  9. Patricia September 10, 2024

    I hope they consider the local residents’ welfare. Construction noise and disruptions can be very troubling.

  10. Thomas P. September 11, 2024

    Will this be another ‘white elephant’? Only time will tell.

  11. Phoebe S. September 11, 2024

    Can someone explain what a ‘rai’ is? The area mentioned seems massive.

  12. Realist78 September 11, 2024

    Infrastructure development is essential. Without it, how can we move forward?

    • Skeptic September 11, 2024

      Sure, but at what cost? We need to balance development with sustainability.

  13. Jane W. September 11, 2024

    How is this going to impact property prices in the surrounding areas?

    • AgentX September 11, 2024

      Generally, such developments drive prices up. Could be a mixed blessing for locals.

  14. Eduardo H. September 11, 2024

    Are there any benefits for international travelers or just locals?

    • GlobalGal September 11, 2024

      Benefits both, I believe. More connections, better infrastructure, enhanced travel experience.

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