Thailand's regional airports

armchairlawyer · Post by **armchairlawyer** » Mon Apr 22, 2024 10:54 am

https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opi ... mers-wrong

A good article showing how many airports in Thailand either have no commercial flights or are loss-making. And describing how local politicians pressure the center to build them.
It seems that without tourist demand, Thai airports struggle as the locals don't want to pay the premium to fly as opposed to taking the bus or train. And by tourists I mean tourists who fly into Thailand.

I would suggest that the only regional airports in Thailand that have a solid future once surface transportation improves will be Phuket, Samui and Chiang Mai. Maybe also Krabi, Hat Yai and Udon Thani.

Being so much more compact in size, Cambodia may have none, although significant development around SAI may do the job there eventually.

Meanwhile BKK and DMK are ripping it as regional hubs.

phuketrichard · Post by **phuketrichard** » Mon Apr 22, 2024 11:45 am

Thailand needs the regional airports, so the local Politicians can fly home
also, they often are elected for the $$ they bring into the area via local jobs & construction
its not always about making a profit

Cambodia would do well to privatize the airports in SR and SHV like Samui airport