Thailand To Develop Airports In Preparation For Asean Community

[khairuddin abu hanifah 0]

BANGKOK, Jan 25 (Bernama) - The Ministry of Transport is planning to build a new airport and redevelop five others as part of preparations for the establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Community (AC) by 2015.

Department of Civil Aviation director-general Voradej Harnprasert said more than 3 billion baht (about US$100.33 million) will be spent developing the airports in provincial areas to facilitate travel to Asean member countries, Thai News Agency (TNA) reported.

A new airport will be built in Betong district in southern Yala province due for completion in 2015, and refurbishment work will be carried out at the Mae Sot Airport in Tak province along with the Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani and Narathiwat Airport.

Voradej said the airport projects will support the government's objective of turning Thailand into a regional transport hub in future.

The civil aviation chief added Thailand's liberal aviation negotiations with nine other Asean countries have been successful, and that he expects all member states to liberalise their air transport without limiting flight destinations and services before the formation of the AC.

Deputy Transport Minister General Prin Suwannathat said that in light of Asean members such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Laos improving their air transport standards in the lead-up to the AC, Thailand should revise its air transport regulations to be in line with those of its neighbours.

-- BERNAMA