Every year, Thailand attracts thousands of visitors to its shores as people travel great distances to sample its culture, history, and culinary diversity.
Tourist numbers have risen so much in fact that the country has reached the point where its infrastructure needs to be improved.
As part of a drive to absorb that popularity, U-Tapao International Airport is undergoing an expansion to not only promote tourism but also take pressure off other airports in the country such as Bangkok.
Reports suggest that the development will take several years and cost millions of pounds, but allow the travel hub to better serve the nearby cities of Pattaya and Rayong.
According to Airport Technology, the expansion will cost £7.4m ($9.3bn) over four phases. These phases will help U-Tapao to serve 60m people.
Phases one and two of the plan involve the construction of new terminals. Phase one, announced in the early-2020s, is expected to be completed this year and feature 60 parking spaces and increase capacity by 15.4m.
Phase two, meanwhile, will be ready by 2030. This phase will have 16 parking bays, but accommodate 30m people. Providing there are no delays, phases three and four can be started.
Phase three will see an extension to the second terminal, 34 new parking spaces, and accommodate 45m people. Whilst this sounds exciting, it won’t be ready until at least 2043.
Phase four won’t be completed until even later. By the year 2055, there will be an additional 18 parking spaces and another terminal building extension. The hope is that all of this investment will draw people towards the small city of Pattaya on Thailand’s east coast.
According to Lonely Planet, Pattaya is “an eye-popping sensory explosion” and “boasts some excellent and good value places to stay and eat”. Among the must-visit attractions are the Sanctuary of Truth, Ko Lan beach, Khao Phra Tamnak temple, the Underwater World Pattaya Aquarium, and Pattaya Beach. Speaking about the beach on TripAdvisor, visitors were full of praise.
User ADASXA said: “Pattaya beach is a good place for a walk at night…I remember travelling with my family and going to Pattaya Beach in the morning was very hot because it was summer.
“There are a lot of accommodations and restaurants in the area and it is quality accommodation, the food is delicious, and at night the atmosphere around the beach is very beautiful.”
