Airport

The government annouced in November that it will spend nearly 1,365 million baht in improvements to the transportation system in Pattaya and the surrounding area. UTapao Airport will be expanded to accommodate more charter flights and parking for planes. Additionally, the boat parking areas will be extended around Bali Hai Pier.

- Eastern Route First to be Built -

Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT), in cooperation with I-ACCESS and AIS, have recently launched by “Airports Flight Info” – a service to provide travelers with convenient and quick access to accurate flight information via AIS based mobile phones together with the debut of Airports Flight Info SIM, a special SIM card designed for air travel business operators to enhance management potential. These newly launched services claim to support and lift Thai airport operations up to international standards.

Illegal taxi operators and tour guides continue to operate openly at Suvarnabhumi airport despite the government's recently announced campaign to keep Thailand's major international airport clear of thugs and cheats. Recent bad press overseas from cheats at the airport in the shops and involved in transportation has plagued the licensed airport vendors. The vendors who are properly licensed and operate in a fair manner cannot clear the bad reputation Thailand is getting unless the "airport mafia" is disbanded.

Faced by a number of negative reports appearing in international media about malpractice problems and scams taking place at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi international airport, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Saturday ordered airport officials to resolve the problems and restore confidence among foreign tourists.