Tourism operators say the railway network would help fulfil the planned capacity at U-tapao Airport. Pattarapong Chatpattarasill
Tourism operators in Pattaya say that the rail link connecting the three airports, regardless of its speed, remains essential for boosting traffic at U-tapao Airport, as tourism in the eastern region alone cannot attract the large number of visitors needed to fulfil the airport's planned capacity.Meanwhile, the recent murder of two Russians in Chon Buri has yet to impact this market, as the tourism industry is now in the low season.
The long-delayed high-speed rail project linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-tapao airports still faces uncertainty and is reportedly subject to potential changes, including the possibility that it may no longer be a high-speed rail service.
Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, president of the Association of the Chonburi Tourism Federation, said the rail project plan can be adjusted to suit the current context, but there should still be a rail system that helps link the three airports more conveniently, particularly as the Eastern Economic Corridor has already set an ambitious plan to attract up to 60 million passengers per year under its Eastern Aviation City project.
