It will also help to boost tourism, revenue, employment and foster economic development of Southern Thailand.
[2] The plan was met with much public opposition for its use of national forest land, and was abandoned as the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand issued a 20-year master plan recommending Khok Kloi in the neighbouring Takua Thung district as a more suitable site instead.
[6] In a 2019 presentation prepared for commerce minister Jurin Laksanawisit, the airport was planned to cover up to 7,300 rai (11.7 km2; 2,900 acres) of land, with two 4,000-metre (13,000 ft) runways.
The first phase, which would accommodate 22.5 million passengers per year, was set to cost 79.51812 billion baht ($2.5bn), with a second phase accommodating 25 million passengers per year costing 1.07107 billion baht ($30M).
[10] Another feasability study was signed in September 2024, and in October, the Thai government said the project was "progressing well".