FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

BBS works on masterplan for U-Tapao airport, adjacent city as it awaits Navy’s permission

BBS works on masterplan for U-Tapao airport, adjacent city as it awaits Navy’s permission

The BBS Joint Venture Group, which won the bid to develop U-Tapao Airport and the adjoining airport city, has established Utapao International Aviation Co to act as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in the signing of a joint investment pact with the Eastern Special Development Zone Policy Committee on June 19.

The SPV was registered on February 13 with a capital of Bt4.5 billion, with Bangkok Airways being the largest shareholder with a 45 per cent stake, BTS Group holding 35 per cent, Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction 10 per cent and the policy committee the remaining 10 per cent.
Meanwhile, the SPV board of directors will include Prasert Prasatthong-Osot, Putthiphong Prasatthong-Osot, Pradit Theekhakul, and Anawat Leelawatwatana from Bangkok Airways, Keeree Kanjanapas, Suraphong Laoha-Anya and Kong Chi Keung from BTS Group and Pakpoom Srichamni and Chaikaew Techapichaya from Sino-Thai.
The policy committee is reportedly partnering up with BBS Group for the project, though it first needs permission from the Royal Navy to use the 6,500 rai for the development. BBS Group will only be able to go ahead with the construction once the policy committee issues a “notice to proceed”.
Ahead of the notice, BBS has to come up with a master plan for the four phases of developing the airport and surrounding area, which is expected to eventually accommodate 60 million passengers.
Phase 1, which is expected to accommodate 16 million passengers, higher than the 12 million initially specified, will include the construction of taxiways for planes, high-speed rail and traffic links to the airport. BBS Group estimates this phase to cost about Bt40 billion.
Construction of the first phase will begin after the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report has been considered, a coordination panel for the high-speed link is set up and the entire project is tied together so work can be done simultaneously.

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