19^th June 2020 at Santi Maitree Building, Government House of Thailand

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha chaired the U-Tapao International Airport and Eastern Airport City Development Project Signing Ceremony at Santi Maitree Building, Government House, between the Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand (EECO) and U-Tapao International Aviation Company Limited or the BBS Joint Venture, the winning bidder which offered the highest returns to the State.

The contract signing parties include Admiral Luechai Ruddit, Commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Navy, Kanit Sangsubhan, Secretary General of the Eastern Economic Corridor, Puttiphong Prasatthong-Osoth, Chief Executive Officer of Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited, Surapong Laoha-Unya, Chief Executive Officer of BTS Group Holding Public Company Limited, and Pakpoom Srichamini, President of Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Public Company Limited, with Deputy Prime Minister and Ministers as well as representatives from public agencies and private organizations as joining participants.

U-Tapao International Airport and Eastern Airport City Development Project

U-Tapao International Airport and Eastern Airport City Development Project is one of the vital infrastructure projects of EEC with an objective to uplift U-Tapao Airport to be “the 3rd International Commercial Airport of Bangkok” linking with Don Mueang International Airport and Suvarnabhumi International Airport through the High-speed train, making the 3 airports capable of handling a capacity of up to 200 million passengers annually.

Furthermore, the project will also create a developmental hub for target businesses especially the “Center of Tourism Industry and Logistics & Aviation of EEC” and the “Eastern Aerotropolis”, developing city area of 30 km around the airport (Pattaya to Rayong), revitalizing the Eastern Seaboard which aims to be an important port city and business center of Thailand, connecting Bangkok Metropolitan Area to the East with linkage through sea, road, rail, and air, driving Thailand to become an Aviation Hub and the Prime Gateway to Asia.

Kanit Sangsubhan mentioned that the U-Tapao International Airport and Eastern Airport City Development Project is a PPP project with an investment value of 290,000 million baht, with additional returns to the State of 305,555 million baht, tax revenue of more than 62,000 million baht, job creation of 15,600 positions per year for the first 5 years, advanced technology and human resource development in aviation and related businesses, with asset ownership transferred to the State at the end of contract.

Kanit stated “The Project will attract investments from both domestic and international private parties which is beneficial to the Thai people and the country as a whole.”

The Project area is situated in Ban Chang District, Rayong Province, located within the Promoted Zone: Eastern Airport City (EECa), with approximately 30 km from Pattaya, Chonburi and Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong, and a travel duration time of 20 minutes.

The objective of the Project is to develop U-Tapao airport to be able to manage both passenger flights and air freight flights. The development project within U-Tapao Airport includes 2 runways of 3,500 meters long facilitating air takeoffs and landings and able to support all aircrafts models, 124 aircraft stands, Passenger Terminal Buildings of 450,000 square meters managing 60 annual million passengers with high-tech facilities such as self check-in and self bag drop system, Automated People Mover (APM). Air Traffic Control Tower, managing 70 flights per hour, will be is responsible by the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand.

Other facilities include Cargo Village and Free Trade Zone of 470,000 square meters with a capacity of 3 million tons per year, Ground Transportation Center (GTC) with an area of 30,000 square meters seamlessly connecting to the Passenger Terminal Building through the high-speed train, buses, and taxis, and other supporting facilities of 1,400 Rai including Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO), Aviation Training Center, electricity power plant, , tap water production plant, wastewater treatment plant, and aviation fuel services.

Moreover, the project also has the Commercial Gateway of 400,000 square meters which includes duty free area, shopping arcade, restaurants, hotels as well as Business Park and Airport City covering 1 million square meters which will include shopping centers, exhibition centers, and office buildings.

BBS Joint Venture or U-Tapao International Aviation Company Limited has divided the development plan into 4 phases: Phase 1 includes Passenger Terminal Building of 157,000 square meters, commercial area, parking facilities, Ground Transportation Center, and 60 aircraft stands , which is expected to be completed in 2024, able to manage a capacity of 15.9 million annual passengers, Phase 2 includes Passenger Terminal Building of 107,000 square meters with Automated People Mover (APM) and automated walkways with 16 additional aircraft stands , which is expected to be completed in 2030, able to manage a capacity of 30 million annual passengers, Phase 3 includes Passenger Terminal 2 of 107,000 square meters with an additional Automated People Mover (APM) and 34 aircraft stands, which is expected to be completed in 2042, able to manage a capacity of 60 million annual passengers.

The construction of the 3,500 meters long second runway is responsible by the Royal Thai Navy which is now in the process of design and EHIA. Public Particitapation has already been conducted twice and the last public participation is expected to be held in early August 2020 before proposing to the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning in late August 2020 for further consideration. The second runway is expected to be completed by 2024.

The U-Tapao International Aviation Company Limited or BBS Joint Venture consists of Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited, BTS Group Holdings Public Company Limited, and Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Public Company Limited. Together they have filed an offer of the minimum income guaranteed as the best returns to the State. Therefore, they were jointly selected to be the operator of U-Tapao International Airport and Eastern Airport City development project. As of today, the contract was jointly signed as an investment agreement for the development of U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Airport City with the government administrated by the Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand (EECO).

Mr. Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, Chief Executive Officer of Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited, said about the investment in this project that, "I am very pleased and honored that Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited had the opportunity to be a part of the U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Airport City Development Project. This is a collaboration between 3 expert companies who have various experiences under the newly established company, U-Tapao International Aviation Company Limited.”

"Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited has been in the aviation industry for over 50 years. The company has more than 100 airline partnerships around the world. In addition to that, the company also has other related businesses such as catering, ground services, warehouse services, duty free shops etc., including the three airport businesses that the company owns and manages which are, Samui Airport, Sukhothai Airport, and Trat Airport.

"In addition to our experience in managing all three airports plus the U-Tapao Airport Development Project, the group has a strong partner with Narita International Airport. Narita is the world's leading airport and will be jointly managing the U-Tapao Airport. This will be beneficial for human resources management as well offering knowledge sharing about airport management at the international level."

"Bangkok Airways Company Limited, and our partners, are ready and committed to using this broad base of knowledge and experience in the development of projects together with the EEC and the Royal Thai Navy to achieve the Thai national development strategy according to the policy and framework for the development of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). It will help to increase competitiveness and be the starting point for other ongoing projects which will help Thailand to grow steadily and sustainably in the future.” Mr. Puttipong added.

Mr. Surapong Laoha-Unya, Executive Director - BTS Group Holdings Public Company Limited. (BTSG) commented about U-Tapao International Airport and Eastern Airport City development project that “I am very pleased and honored that U-Tapao International Aviation Company Limited or BBS Joint Venture has signed Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement for U-Tapao International Airport and Eastern Airport City development project. This is such a historic moment and a crucial driving factor for Thailand’s economic development and I am proud that BTS Group is part of the project. With joint collaborations on resources and unique collections of expertise of the 3 organizations, I am certain that it will create highest benefit to the government and the public which will enhance Thailand’s sustainable development”.

“With more than 20 years of experience, BTS Group has been a business operator in many large-scale infrastructure projects such as Thailand’s the first Green line electric mass transit railway system running 60 kilometers long which has been operated for 20 years and ongoing construction projects for the Pink and Yellow Lines monorail system and the Gold Line electric Train project as well as many other real estate businesses in Thailand. In addition, BTS Group provides integrated out-of-home media services in Thailand and overseas, E-Payment services and payment technology solutions. With long-standing experience and insight, it is believed that BTS Group will be able to support U-Tapao International Airport and Eastern Airport City development project to achieve its goal. Upon completion of the project, it would elevate U-Tapao Airport to become an aviation hub and a center for several industries, tourism and logistics of EEC leading to effective trade, investment and tourism for the country’s sustainable development in the future”.

“BTS Group Holdings Public Company Limited is committed to provide highest benefit to the Thai people and welcome to our Gateway of EEC” Mr.Surapong concluded.

Mr. Pakpoom Srichamni, President of Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Public Company Limited, commented about the investment in this project that "I am very pleased and honored to have the opportunity to participate as part of this great development which is very important to Thailand. U-Tapao International Aviation Company Limited was established by the cooperation of the three partner companies, in which each company has experience and expertise in various fields, both in the field of airline/airport management, Real estate development, Service businesses, Mass Transit Business and a variety of construction work. Therefore, it is not a surprise that U-Tapao International Airport and Eastern Aviation City will be outstanding in terms of architecture, center of businesses, ground transportation with convenience in logistics, intercity transportation and the growth of economic and tourism in the eastern provinces such as Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat which will be more well-known to the world.”

"As Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Public Company Limited will be the project construction operator on an area of 6,500 rai, which will consist of building, system work, including utilities. This can be considered a challenging and highly detailed job which we have emphasized on quality and time. Sino-Thai Company has experience in the construction of Mega Projects for more than 58 years. We are fully equipped with personnel and technology. If all the steps are completed, we can proceed immediately.”

"Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Public Company Limited is very proud and honored to be the construction of the great aviation city architecture of the country. I assure you that we will dedicate our energy, knowledge, ability and heart to carry out the construction of an elegant and valuable airport with a Thai identity to be proud of the whole Thai nation.” Mr.Pakpoom concluded.