BANGKOK, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Thailand is upgrading Udon Thani Airport into a full international gateway ahead of a major horticultural exposition opening in November as part of the government's efforts to position the airport as a regional tourism and trading hub.
The airport has been designated one of 11 international airports nationwide by Thai civil aviation authorities and has received certification to operate scheduled and charter international flights, Deputy Transport Minister Phattrapong Phattraprasit said on Friday during an inspection visit.
The upgrade aims to support the Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026, running Nov. 1 until March 14, 2027, which Phattrapong said represents a key opportunity to develop the airport into an "economic gateway" connecting people, tourists, goods, and services.
According to the ministry, the airport has a 3,048-meter runway, 11 aircraft parking bays, and a terminal capacity for about 3.4 million passengers annually. Its Terminal B has been renovated to house full customs, immigration, quarantine, and disease-control facilities, along with VAT refund services for tourists. ■
