Betong Airport

Betong Airport is a planned new airport construction project to be undertaken by the Thai government. The new airport will serve Yala Province and is being built in anticipation of the boost in visitors to regional centres in Thailand after the ASEAN Economic Community is established in 2015. Thailand's Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) has purchased 1,472,000sqm of land to develop the new site. The DCA has allocated THB1.9 billion (USD53 million) in its 2016-18 budget for the project. The airport will feature a 1800m runway, a terminal building and airside facilities. Airports of Thailand launched the tender process for Betong Airport’s development project in May-2016. Construction commenced in Dec-2017.

Nov-2021. Thailand's Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana reported Betong Airport is due to open to commercial flights in 2022. The airport was initially due to be operational in Dec-2020.

Mar-2021. Betong Airport acting director Duangporn Suvanmanee stated the airport is due to be operational in Apr-2021.

Sep-2020.

15-Sep-2020. Thailand's Minister of Transport Saksayam Chidchob reported Betong Airport will be operational by the end of Dec-2020.

23-Sep-2020. Thailand's Ministry of Transport (MoT) established a working panel to ensure Betong Airport is operational as scheduled in Dec-2020.

Mar-2018. Thailand's Government approved plans to expand Betong Airport's runway from 1800m to 2100m, allowing the planned airport to handle larger aircraft. Construction is 35% completed and due for completion by the end of 2019.

Dec-2017. Thailand's Minister of Transport Arkhom Termpittayapaisith laid the foundation stone for Betong Airport, officially inaugurating construction. Work on the airport's 7000sqm terminal building has already commenced and 30% of the airport's planned 1800m runway is complete. The airport is scheduled for completion in 2020.

Sep-2017. Airports of Thailand reposted reports that the Thailand Government implemented the Construction Sector Transparency Initiative (CoST) for Betong Airport's THB1.32 billion (USD39 million) runway and taxiway development project.

Feb-2017. Thailand’s Department of Airports Director General Darun Saengchai reported negotiations with land owners for Betong Airport development project will be accelerated to ensure the airport opens by early 2021. The project is estimated to cost THB2 billion (USD60 million), which the government plans to fund it using state budget.

May-2016. Airports of Thailand launched the tender process for Betong Airport’s development project. The contract is estimated to worth THB1.7 billion (USD48 million), with works to last two to three years.

Oct-2015. Thailand's Government approved the proposal to fund the Betong Airport development project worth THB1.9 billion (USD52.88 million), by allocating it in the 2016-2018 state budget. The project will include construction of a 1.8km runway, a terminal building and airside facilities.