The investment plan is slated to turn U-Tapao airportinto a new international airport linked up with a budget terminal, Don Muangairport, and the country's main Suvarnabhumi Airport.
The public-private project, named "Eastern AviationCity", will cover 1,040 ha and aims at attracting tourists. It will alsoinclude a free trade zone for cargo, an aviation training centre and aircraftmaintenance, repair and overhaul facilities.
The project will generate 15,600 additional jobs in thefirst five years and drive growth in Thailand's aviation industry, TipananSirichana, the government's deputy spokesperson, said in a statement./.