U-Tapao International Airport – UTP U-Tapao
U-Tapao International Airport serves as the main airport of the cities, Rayong and Pattaya, It is a collaborative of civil-military public airport that is located at Ban Chang District. Considered as the major hub for Thai Airways maintenance facility, the airport also serves as the U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield. It is the home to the Royal Thai Navy, the airport's official name is U-Tapao Rayong Pattaya International Airport. As of 2015, as Bangkok International Airport experiences the overcapacity of passengers traveling to and from Thailand, the government is eyeing U-Tapao, Thailand as an alternative gateway to the country.
Best Time to Visit
Constructed in 1965, the airport was originally built by the United States of America at the height of the Vietnam War to accommodate B-52 bombers. During this time, the airport served as the primary airfield in Southeast Asia, as well as a front-line base of the US. Today, the airport is underway to be the third major destination for airlines, domestic and international. To accommodate the number of passengers that travels to and from Thailand, an additional terminal was developed to increase the airport's capacity to 3 million per year. In addition, facilities and services were also upgraded to ensure that travelers that wish to visit Koh Lan or Pattaya Bay and other neighboring cities will not have a problem looking for local transportation that will take them to their desired destination.
What to Do & Area Attractions
There are a handful of nearby hotels outside the airport. However, the Royal Phala Cliff Beach and Spa and the Green Apple Villa are much closer to the airport with less than 15-minutes away travel time.
