Airports bill reaches B8bn
Bhumjaithai stands to gain in South
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob is planning to allocate an 8-billion-baht budget for a public-private investment to build two new airports in Phatthalung and Satun.
He says the goal is to develop logistics and boost tourism in the South, but, according to a Transport Ministry source, the move is also believed to be politically motivated, as his Bhumjaithai Party wants to secure more House seats in the Democrat stronghold.
Mr Saksayam has asked the Department of Airports to conduct a feasibility study for the project in Phatthalung to build the facilities, including a 2-kilometre runway on an area of 3,000 rai, said deputy department chief Jaroon Meesomboon.
The one-year study will pave the way for a further look into the investment plan and the environmental impact assessment, which should take another year, Mr Jaroon said.
The ministry is considering the investment under the public-private partnership (PPP) option to reduce financial burdens on the state, Mr Jaroon said.
The other airport project in Satun, proposed late last year, is still being evaluated, he added. The airport will be the same size as the one in Phatthalung. Their development is being proposed as the Bhumjaithai Party tries to expand its base in the South after it won MP seats in some areas of the Democrat-dominated region in the March 24 election, said the Transport Ministry source.
This has prompted the Northeast-based party to strengthen its position in the South for the next general election, the source said. Both the Democrat and Bhumjaithai parties gained 50 MPs after the election, making the two close competitors.
Last weekend, Bhumjaithai leader, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and other party MPs met residents and promised to help them deal with their complaints. The MPs also decided to push ahead with 98 development projects worth a total of 22.4 billion baht for the southern region. The plan includes a bid to promote local tourism in various cities, and an aim to increase the number of tourists by 50,000 per year.