Rayong’s U-TapaoAirport project gets Deputy PM Phumtham review
RAYONG: A government delegation visited the delayed U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City development project sites on Wednesday to monitor progress.
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai led the visit to the airport in Ban Chang district, along with Vice Minister for the Office of the Prime Minister Nahathai Tiwphaingam and Rayong governor Traipob Wongtrairat.
Tharit Issarayangyun, deputy secretary-general of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), presented a progress report on the project, which is aimed at standardising the aviation industry as per the government’s plan to bolster investments in the EEC.
The progress was reported in two parts: the civil and the private sectors.
According to Mr Tharit, the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) is responsible for some parts of the project.
He said the navy recently approved a budget of 16.2 billion baht for the project’s development, including the construction of the second runway and taxiway. The RTN is currently looking for contractors and consultants for the construction, he added.
In terms of the project’s utility infrastructure provided by the state, more than 95% progress was reported.
He said key instalments, including the first phase of a water supply plant and a wastewater treatment system, are complete.
Mr Tharit said that a 15-megawatt solar power plant, electricity, and cooling systems are near completion, while the construction of the aircraft refuelling service systems is at a midway point.
On the private sector side, Mr Tharit stated the EEC will expedite a notice to proceed with contractors starting construction of the third terminal building, a secondary concourse, and the shopping centre this year.
He said the project would take five years to complete, and U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City are expected to open in 2029.
Mr Tharit added that the original plan was to begin construction in 2019 and have it completed this year.
Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2844077/airport-project-gets-phumtham-review
