!
Latest updates
kiwi Guarantee Book now and get protection against cancelations that would wouldn't get if you booked direct
Chiang Mai's Food Odyssey: Street Eats to Gourmet Feasts
Bangkok Airways to Resurrect Vital Flight Routes to Northern Thailand
Thai Vietjet Air: Exclusive May Offers for FUN Rewards Members
Hua Hin Airport anticipates surge in international flights after expansion
No more flights to Mae Hong Son
Really Cool Airlines to launch in December (Really!)
6 Steps to Grabbing Cheap Flights - DomesticFlightsThailand
Getting Around Bangkok
Koh Lanta: A Hidden Treasure Near Krabi
Sea, Sand, and Surf in Thailand: Top 5 Spots
All news
More travel guides
Will U-Tapao Airport Change its Name?
15th Jul 2015
Thailand has just finished expanding the U-Tapao airport, making it available for extra international flights. One question remains, however. Should the airport change its name to U-Tapao Pattaya?
One Thai Minister for Changing the Name, the Other Against it
Thailand's Minister of Tourism and Sports Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul is of an opinion that it should. According to her, adding 'Pattaya' to the airport's name will bring more travelers.
Elaborating on this, Wattanavrangkul said:
'Use of the name Pattaya will help boost tourists' awareness, because Pattaya is a landmark of tourism in Thailand already well-known to travellers.'
Her collogue in the government; Transport Minister Prajin Juntong is of a different opinion however.
Juntong said Mrs., Wattanavrangkul already 'pitched' him this idea earlier on Wednesday, but he rejected it.
According to Juntong, the name airport carries has a strong historical meaning, especially from its time as a military base over the course of the Vietnam War.
Juntong added that, while younger tourists are likely to welcome adding Pattaya to the airport's name, for those over 40, it will always be known simply as U-Tapao airport.
800,000/Year Capacity
Located just 45km from Pattaya and 190km from Bangkok, U-Tapao has the capacity to serve 800,000 passengers per year. It is already serving between 120,000 and 130,000, with the second terminal for guests opening next year in June. This should bring the airport's full capacity to three million passengers per year.
Initially a military airport, U-Tapao has been refurbished in recent years with the idea of being a third airport connected to Thailand's capital, Bangkok.
Director of the U-Tapao airport and Thailand's Naval air Commander, Rear Admiral Vasinsan Chantavarin explained that the airport is already brining more and more airlines.
Domestic airline Kan Air has already launched six new routes to Pattaya, all of which will be landing on U-Tapao. Also, Thai AirAsia will use the airport as a hub (its fifth) for domestic and international services beginning October. Finally, AirAsia announced a new route from Kuala Lumpur to U-Tapao starting on Thursday, 16th July.
Related News
Thai Vietjet Air: Exclusive May Offers for FUN Rewards Members
Hua Hin Airport anticipates surge in international flights after expansion
