BANGKOK, March 11 (TNA) – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will launch the first flight of Betong airport in Yala province on March 14. The new airport is expected to boost tourism and investment.
Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said the cabinet had given a green light on Oct 6, 2015, for the Department of Airports to build Betong airport for the economic development of three southern border provinces. With the project, the prime minister hoped people in southern border provinces would generate more income which would also support national security, the spokesman said.
The new airport would also promote tourism, commerce and local and international investment with Malaysia and Singapore, especially through the Malaysian states of Penang, Kedah and Perak close to the border, he said.
The construction of Betong airport started in 2017 and was completed in 2019. Its passenger terminal covers an area of about 7,000 square meters and can handle about 300 passengers per hour or 876,000 passengers annually.
Its runway was 1,800 meters long and could serve only small planes such as ATR aircraft with 70-80 seats each, Mr Thanakorn said. (TNA)
