Travel news forum

The Post reports that Airports of Thailand has approved a 5.79-billion-baht plan to expand Phuket International Airport. Phuket’s passenger handling capacity will double to 12.5 a year by 2013. The expansion in Phuket will address crowding at Thailand's second busiest airport and meet the expected rise in air traffic demand over the next decade, the Post said. But the project is still subject to routine scrutiny from the National Economic and Social Development Board. Last year, 5.73m passengers passed through Phuket airport. AoT now expects the expansion, including constructing a new terminal for international passengers, improving the existing terminal, upgrading the jet fuelling system and building new taxiways, to commence by the end of next year.

That's quite a few more people hanging out on Phuket's beaches -- and probably a lot more coming in directly to the island, rather than passing through Bangkok. Are they thinking ahead to more airport closures, perhaps? ;)