New Airports Are Planned for Chiang Mai and Phuket

Both destinations see a constant increase in passenger traffic and regardless the recent renovation of Phuket airport and the planned expansion of Chiang Mai airport these measures will not be enough. Studies predict that by 2022–2025 Phuket and Chiang Mai will be able to accommodate 18 mln and 20 mln passengers respectively, while in the course of 20 years from today the number of travellers to these destinations will achieve 23 mln and 42 mln people. 

Currently both Phuket and Chiang Mai airports occupy the plots which cannot be expanded any more and thus the AOT have already chosen new sites for construction of completely new airports. The second airport serving Chinag Mai will be actually located in San Kamphaeng and Ban Thi districts in the neighbouring province of Lamphun; and similarly a site in Khok Kloi, Phang Nga province was chosen for construction of the second Phuket airport.

The study of feasability of the project which total value is estimated 126 bln Thai Baht is well under way. The construction is due to start the next year and the both airports should be completed by 2025. The new Chiang Mai and Phuket airports are just two airports of a larger project of AOT to build 6 new airports in Thailand.

Source