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Hatyai Airport & Transport Boosted, Promoted as "South Gateway"

Hatyai Airport & Transport Boosted, Promoted as "South Gateway"

MGR Online•Economy•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Hatyai Airport expansion is crucial for regional growth and its "South Gateway" status, according to Deputy Transport Minister Sunphet Boonnyamanee.

  • •Deputy Transport Minister Sunphet Boonnyamanee inspected Hatyai Airport and bus stations to assess capacity.
  • •Hatyai Airport faces congestion, with passenger numbers exceeding its current capacity and projected to grow significantly.
  • •The airport is being promoted as the "South Gateway" to enhance tourism, trade, and the regional economy.
  • •Measures are in place to ensure safe travel during Songkran, including stabilized bus fares.

Overview

  • •On April 12, 2026, Sunphet Boonnyamanee inspected Hatyai Airport and Hatyai Bus Station in Songkhla Province to ensure readiness for Songkran holiday travelers and assess capacity.
  • •Hatyai Airport's current capacity is approximately 2.5 million passengers per year, while 3.31 million passengers used it in 2025, with an expectation of 3.56 million in 2026 and 4.76 million by 2034.
  • •The significant increase in passenger numbers necessitates urgent improvements and expansion of Hatyai Airport's capacity, as it is already exceeding its current capabilities.
  • •Sunphet Boonnyamanee stated that Hatyai Airport is a "strategic infrastructure" for the lower South, linking tourism, trade, the southern border areas, Halal Economy, Logistics Hub, and Financial & Business Hub, in order to elevate it as the "South Gateway".
  • •Preparations for Muslim pilgrims traveling for Hajj were inspected at Hatyai Airport, including pre-check-in systems and baggage management, in order to accommodate a large number of travelers starting April 18.
  • •Bus fares were stabilized until April 19, 2026, in order to help reduce the cost of living for the public during the Songkran festival.
  • •Sunphet Boonnyamanee also followed up on the progress of significant infrastructure projects, such as Rama 2 Road, which is expected to be completed within the year, and the development of bypass routes and bottleneck solutions.
  • •Hatyai Bus Station plans include modernization and improvements to enhance the overall transportation system of Songkhla Province.

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Key Quotes

Sunphet Boonnyamanee
"These figures are an important signal that Hatyai Airport needs to urgently improve and expand its capacity starting today to adequately support future growth in both passenger services and cargo transportation."
“ตัวเลขดังกล่าว เป็นสัญญาณสำคัญว่าท่าอากาศยานหาดใหญ่จำเป็นต้องเร่งปรับปรุงและขยายขีดความสามารถตั้งแต่วันนี้ เพื่อให้สามารถรองรับการเติบโตในอนาคตได้อย่างเพียงพอ ทั้งในด้านการให้บริการผู้โดยสารและการขนส่งสินค้า”
Sunphet Boonnyamanee
"Therefore, the development of Hatyai Airport is not just about solving current congestion problems, but an investment for the future of the entire region, to elevate it to be the 'South Gateway' of the country, capable of comprehensively supporting passengers, commerce, and economic activities."
“ดังนั้น การพัฒนาท่าอากาศยานหาดใหญ่จึงไม่ใช่เพียงการแก้ปัญหาความแออัดในปัจจุบัน แต่เป็นการลงทุนเพื่ออนาคตของทั้งภูมิภาค เพื่อยกระดับให้เป็น ‘South Gateway’ ของประเทศ ที่สามารถรองรับทั้งผู้โดยสาร การค้า และกิจกรรมทางเศรษฐกิจได้อย่างครบวงจร”

Key Entities

Person

Sunphet(สรรเพชญ)
Deputy Minister of Transport who inspected Hatyai Airport and transport facilities.
Mr. Sunphet Boonnyamanee(นายสรรเพชญ บุญญามณี)
Deputy Minister of Transport who inspected Hatyai Airport and transport facilities.
Mr. Romdon Hadyiwae(นายรอมดอน หะยีอาแว)
Deputy Governor of Songkhla Province who accompanied Sunphet Boonnyamanee during the inspection.
Mr. Sastra Sipan(นายศาสตรา ศรีปาน)
Former Member of Parliament for Songkhla Province who joined the inspection.

Place

Hatyai(หาดใหญ่)ℹ️
Location of the airport and bus station inspected, promoted as 'South Gateway'.
Airport(สนามบิน)
Hatyai Airport, which is undergoing capacity expansion to serve as the 'South Gateway'.
Hatyai District Bus Terminal(สถานีขนส่งผู้โดยสารอำเภอหาดใหญ่)
Transport hub in Hatyai, Songkhla Province, inspected for readiness.
Songkhla(สงขลา)ℹ️
Province where Hatyai is located, benefiting from airport and transport infrastructure development.

Policy

South Gateway
A strategic concept for developing Hatyai Airport to become a comprehensive hub for passengers, trade, and economic activities in the southern region.

Concept

Halal Economyℹ️
An economic sector linked to the strategic importance of Hatyai Airport development.
Logistics Hub
A role envisioned for Hatyai Airport as part of the 'South Gateway' initiative.
Financial & Business Hub
An economic function associated with the strategic development of Hatyai Airport.

Law

Rama 2 Road(ถนนพระราม 2)
A key infrastructure project whose progress was monitored, expected to be completed within the year.