Three provincial airports — Krabi, Buri Ram and Udon Thani — to stay under Department of Airports (DoA) management for now
The Transport Ministry has decided to postpone transferring the management of three provincial airports — Krabi, Buri Ram and Udon Thani — from the Department of Airports (DoA) to Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT), citing time constraints and potential cost burdens on passengers.
Deputy Transport Minister Mallika Jiraphanwanich said the administration, with less than four months left in office, would leave the transfer decision to the next government. She was speaking after an after an inspection of the DoA.
She said if the airports were moved under AOT management now, fees would be aligned with AOT’s higher rate structure, potentially raising passenger costs.
Ms Mallika said the DoA remains capable of managing the three airports, which are already licensed as public airports and rank among the agency’s top revenue generators.
Collectively, the DoA earns 800–900 million baht a year from passenger service charges (PSC), which help subsidise smaller regional airports. Although the cabinet had previously approved the transfer, that resolution has not been revoked.
She also outlined DoA’s modernisation plans, including automated ticketing, biometric screening and improved passenger services, with Krabi Airport set as the pilot site by 2028.
However, she acknowledged these upgrades would involve additional service fees and would be prioritised at high-traffic airports.
Krabi currently handles 2–3 million passengers annually.
The DoA has already upgraded seven airports — Krabi, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen and Phitsanulok — while work is ongoing at Udon Thani.
Airports that have undergone upgrades now charge a PSC of 75 baht per passenger, compared with 50 baht at older facilities. For fiscal year 2026, the DoA has been allocated 4.6 billion baht for airport improvements and runway extensions.
Meanwhile, DoA director-general Danai Ruangsorn said the agency is studying the feasibility of extending Betong Airport’s runway in Yala, from 1,800 to 2,500 metres to accommodate Airbus A320, A321neo and Boeing 737 aircraft, as airlines phase out ATR turboprops.
A cost-benefit conclusion is expected by the end of this year.
The study considers not only tourism potential but also improved road connectivity and enhanced security conditions in the area.
At present, the DoA operates 28 regional airports nationwide.
Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3130128/3-airports-to-stay-under-doa-management-for-now
