It has been recently announced that in 2023 the government of Thailand will launch tenders for the expansion of the country’s two biggest airports, Suvarnabhumi International and Don Mueang International, both of which serve Bangkok. The expansions aim to meet an expected surge in passenger demand after the Southeast Asian nation reopens to international travel and tourism, a leading industry in Thailand.
Thailand’s tourism authority predicts that the country will receive over 28 million foreign tourists in 2023. This represents a massive increase from fewer than 7 million in 2020 and just half a million in 2021, low figures due to the disruptions brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Airports of Thailand (AOT), which is the public company that operates the country’s six biggest airports, will be responsible for the upcoming tenders. AOT aims for a new USD 290 million passenger terminal east of Suvarnabhumi, expected to open in 2028. The company will also look for bidders for the third phase of Don Mueang’s expansion, whose budget is USD 1 billion.
According to local newspapers, a plan for construction will be submitted to AOT’s in March 2023. Once approved, it will be sent to the National Economic and Social Development Council for endorsement and then submitted to the cabinet for approval. Bidding is expected to begin in the summer of 2023, with construction expected to commence in 2024.
(Sources: Global Construction Review; Aviation Pros)
