Thai PM endorses development of U-Tapao Airport, Sattahip Port

BANGKOK, June 22 (TNA) - Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha has approved a plan to develop U-Tapao Airport and Sattahip Deep Seaport in Rayong Province in the Thai East with a quick implementation to make the country's Eastern Seaboard a regional economic center. The prime minister endorsed the plan at a meeting of parties concerned at U-Tapao Airport on Wednesday, in which Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak overseeing economic affairs, Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, Industry Minister Atchaka Sibunruang, Interior Minister General Anupong Paochinda, Thai Navy Chief Admiral Na Areenich and representatives of the private sector participated. The transport minister told the meeting that railways, motorways and more port facilities would be built there and turn the Thai East into a regional hub of logistics and travel. The industry minister then said the Thai East would become a leading economic center of the ASEAN Community (AC), especially for the automobile, electronic and petrochemical industries. After endorsing the plan, the prime minister told the authorities to quickly implement it and promised to help accelerate the implementation and solve hurdles. The prime minister also ordered relevant authorities to listen to local residents and explain to them that the development would boost the national economy and competitiveness. Besides, the prime minister suggested that U-Tapao Airport be connected with Thailand's main Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Mueang Airport and Sattahip Deep Seaport be connected with Phuket. (TNA)