Airports of Thailand (AOT) is moving ahead with a major expansion of Suvarnabhumi Airport valued at more than 210 billion baht, including a new South Terminal and a separate East Expansion project.
AOT president Paweena Jariyathitipong said the South Terminal plan has been restructured into three phases to better match future passenger growth and ease financial pressure. The first phase will focus on ground improvement and core infrastructure, as the airport sits on formerly swampy land prone to subsidence. This stage, including planning for road links and utilities, is expected to take about two and a half years.
The second phase will see construction of the first half of the South Terminal, adding capacity for 30 million passengers annually and lifting the airport’s total capacity to 100 million passengers per year within five years. The final phase will complete the terminal and add a fourth runway, raising long-term capacity to 120 million passengers per year over the next decade.
Paweena said the phased approach will also allow renovations of the main terminal, which has been in service for more than 25 years, without disrupting overall operations.
Separately, AOT is pushing forward with the 12-billion-baht East Expansion, which is awaiting review by the Finance Ministry before going to the cabinet. If approved, bidding could begin within one to two months, with construction taking four years. The project would raise Suvarnabhumi’s capacity from 65 million to 70 million passengers per year.