Pattaya, Thailand: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

Pattaya, Thailand's most popular beach resort, is served by the U-Tapao International Airport, also known as the U-Tapao Pattaya Airport or the U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport. It is located in the Ban Chang district of Rayong province, about 45-55 km from Pattaya. The airport is gaining popularity as a destination route for tourists and other international flights, especially since the two major international airports in Bangkok are overpopulated.

U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport is the closest airport to Pattaya, Thailand

U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport serving the cities of Rayong and Pattaya in Eastern Thailand. It is also known as Utapao International Airport and has the IATA code UTP and the ICAO code VTBU. The airport has two terminal buildings that serve both international and local flights. Terminal 1, the original terminal, has an area of 3,000 square metres and can accommodate 400 passengers at a time. Terminal 2, which opened in late 2017, has an area of 20,000 square metres and can accommodate 1,200 passengers at a time.

The airport has a range of facilities for passengers, including parking, a coffee shop, and a restaurant serving food from different cultures. There is also an internet cafe where travellers can search for information about Thailand or other destinations. The airport is home to a large Thai Airways maintenance facility, servicing the airline's aircraft and those of other customers.

U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport has undergone several expansion projects to increase its capacity and improve its facilities. In 2022, the Thai government approved a plan to increase the airport's capacity to 60 million passengers per year, with the addition of a new runway, taxiways, and other facilities. The expansion projects aim to boost Pattaya's and Bangkok's air passenger capacity and enhance connections to the Eastern Economic Corridor.

The airport is 55km from Pattaya and the drive takes 45-50 minutes

Pattaya, Thailand's most popular beach resort, is served by the U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport. The airport is also referred to as Utapao International Airport and is located in Ban Chang, Rayong, about 140 kilometres southeast of Bangkok. It is 55 kilometres from Pattaya and the drive takes 45-50 minutes.

The airport is gaining popularity as a destination route for tourists and other international flights. This is partly due to its proximity to Pattaya, but also because Bangkok's two main international airports are often overcrowded and over capacity. The Thai government intends to turn U-Tapao into a third major destination for airlines.

U-Tapao is a joint civil-military public international airport. It also serves as the U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield, home of the Royal Thai Navy First Air Wing. The airport has two terminal buildings, with the second terminal opening in late 2017 to accommodate increased demand. The airport has certification from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), meaning it meets all internationally set standards.

The U-Tapao expansion project is expected to enable the airport to handle 15 million passengers within the next five years, 30 million in the next 15 years, and 60 million in the next 20 years. The project ties in with the Thai government's plan to develop and bring high-tech industries to the east of Thailand.

The airport has two terminals and is expected to handle 15 million passengers within the next five years

Pattaya, Thailand's most popular beach resort, is served by the U-Tapao International Airport. The airport is located in the Ban Chang district of Rayong province, about 45-55 km from Pattaya. It is also known as U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport or simply Utapao Pattaya Airport.

The airport has two terminal buildings that serve both international and local flights. Terminal 1, the original terminal, has an area of 3,000 sqm and can accommodate 400 passengers at a time. However, due to increased demand, a second terminal was opened in late 2017. Terminal 2 has a much larger area of 20,000 sqm and can accommodate up to 1,200 passengers at a time.

The expansion of the airport is an ongoing project, with the Thai government approving plans to increase its capacity and improve facilities. The expansion project is expected to enable the airport to handle 15 million passengers within the next five years, 30 million in the next 15 years, and an impressive 60 million in the next 20 years. This ambitious plan is part of the Thai government's strategy to develop and attract high-tech industries to eastern Thailand.

The first phase of the expansion, which includes a new terminal, is expected to be completed by 2024. The second phase will further boost the airport's capacity to 15 million passengers per year. The expansion will not only benefit Pattaya but also Bangkok, increasing the air passenger capacity for both cities and enhancing connections to the Eastern Economic Corridor.

The airport has three car parks and the first 20 minutes of parking are free

Pattaya, Thailand's most popular beach resort, is served by the U-Tapao International Airport, also known as U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport. The airport is located in Ban Chang, Rayong, about 140 kilometres southeast of Bangkok and 45 to 50 minutes drive from Pattaya.

The airport has three car parks, and the first 20 minutes of parking are free. This is very convenient for those dropping off passengers. After the initial 20 minutes, short-term parking is charged at 20 Baht per hour for a maximum of 6 hours. For longer stays of more than 7 hours, the rate is 140 Baht per day. Motorbike parking is also available at 10 Baht per hour up to 5 hours, and 50 Baht for 24 hours. The car parks are conveniently located just a 2-minute walk from the terminal building.

U-Tapao International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport, serving as the U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield for the Royal Thai Navy First Air Wing. It is also a base for Thai Airways' large maintenance facility. The airport has seen significant expansion over the years, with a second terminal opening in 2017 to accommodate the increasing demand for flights to and from Pattaya. The Thai government has also approved expansion plans to further increase the airport's capacity to 60 million passengers per year.

The airport offers a range of amenities, including food and beverage options with meals from different cultures at favourable prices. There is also an internet cafe where travellers can search for information about Thailand or other travel-related details.

The airport has a restaurant and an internet cafe

Pattaya, Thailand's most popular beach resort, is served by the U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport. It is located in the Ban Chang district of Rayong province, about 45 minutes by car from Pattaya.

The airport also has two terminal buildings that serve both international and local flights. Terminal 1, the original terminal, has an area of 3,000 sqm and can accommodate 400 passengers at a time. Terminal 2, which opened in late 2017, has an area of 20,000 sqm and can accommodate 1,200 passengers at a time. The expansion of the airport is an ongoing project, with the Thai government approving plans to increase its capacity to 60 million passengers per year.

The U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport is gaining popularity as a destination route for tourists and other international flights due to its proximity to Pattaya and the overpopulation of the two major international airports in Bangkok.

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