Thailand plans transport upgrades for Northeastern region

BANGKOK, September 13 (TNA) - Transportation facilities in northeastern Thailand will be improved to cater for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), due to be implemented at end-2015. On Saturday, the passenger terminal of Ubon Ratchathani Airport was officially reopened following fire damage repairs, with building renovation, including installation of new security systems, costing more than 69 million baht in total government funding. Now, the airport can cater a maximum of 300 passenger arrivals per hour and 624 departing passengers per hour. Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittyapaisith said his ministry was prepared to provide support to enable Ubon Ratchathani Airport to become the hub of commercial aviation for the lower northeastern Thailand, linking ASEAN. Meanwhile, Seri Srihatrai, governor of Buri Ram province, told journalists that the province would be asking the government to consider upgrading Chong Sai Taku border pass to a permanent checkpoint like the one in Aranyaprathet district which borders Cambodia. Seri said his province also plans to seek government approval to construct an international airport in Buri Ram to facilitate transportation between Thailand and Cambodia. (TNA)