Govt unlocks measures for U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City

Prachachat•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

The Thai government is implementing tax and investment incentives to accelerate the development of U-Tapao Airport and the Eastern Aviation City.

•The government aims to have support measures operational by September 30, 2026.
•Expected private investment in the project is estimated at 1.3 trillion baht.
•The measures include tax deductions for CAPEX and OPEX, and the introduction of the EECa Visa.
•The project is projected to create over 63,701 jobs.

•The Cabinet acknowledged urgent support measures for the development of U-Tapao Airport and the Eastern Aviation City based on the Eastern Special Development Economic Policy Committee resolution.
•The Eastern Economic Corridor Office estimates the project will stimulate private investment of approximately 1.3 trillion baht over its lifespan.
•Measures approved by the Eastern Special Development Economic Policy Committee include allowing operators to deduct asset investment expenses (CAPEX) and operating expenses (OPEX) two times for corporate income tax calculations.
•The government introduced the EECa Visa to allow foreigners to reside for work or business in the Eastern Aviation City special economic promotion zone.
•The project is expected to create 63,701 jobs, attract 400,000 additional foreign tourists annually, and increase local spending by 20,000 million baht upon opening.
•The project is projected to generate more than 37,000 million baht in GDP during the first year of operation.
•The Eastern Economic Corridor Office and related agencies are tasked with enacting laws to make these measures operational by September 30, 2026.
•The Eastern Economic Corridor Office will consult relevant agencies to determine criteria for the import and maintenance of racing, classic, and private collection cars in Free Trade Zones.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Lalida Periswiwattana

"These measures aim for more than just moving the airport project forward, but for creating actual economic activities around the aviation city."

มาตรการครั้งนี้มีเป้าหมายมากกว่าการเดินหน้าโครงการสนามบิน แต่เป็นการสร้างกิจกรรมทางเศรษฐกิจรอบเมืองการบินให้เกิดขึ้นจริง

Lalida Periswiwattana(ลลิดา เพริศวิวัฒนา)

Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office.

Cabinet(คณะรัฐมนตรี)

The government body that acknowledged the support measures for the airport and aviation city development.

Eastern Special Development Economic Policy Committee(คณะกรรมการนโยบายเขตพัฒนาพิเศษภาคตะวันออก)

The committee that approved the tax, investment, and facilitation measures for the project.

Eastern Economic Corridor Office(สกพอ.)

The agency tasked with accelerating legislation and estimating the project's economic impact.

U-Tapao Airport(สนามบินอู่ตะเภา)ℹ️

The airport targeted for development under the government's support measures.

Eastern Aviation City(เมืองการบินภาคตะวันออก)

A special economic promotion zone designed to attract investment, tourism, and high-value technology services.

EECa Visa

A special temporary stay visa for foreigners working or doing business in the Eastern Aviation City.

The broader economic development framework linked to the national economy.