Utapao International Airport (UTP) in Pattaya

Utapao Airport (UTP) is located in the Rayong province: next to Pattaya and not far from Bangkok.

The following distances are indicated by road:

• 25 km from the city of Rayong;
• 42 km from Pattaya;
• 179 km from Bangkok

Proximity to the capital and a major resort determines the strategic importance of the air hub. It consists not only in the transport provision of the tourist flow.

Utapao is also an alternative to Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang, as well as an integral part of Thailand's air force infrastructure.

Utapao in the transport system of Thailand

Historically, Utapao is not just an airport for hundreds of thousands of incoming tourists. The name that was given to the air port belonged to a nearby military town. The airport was built for the Royal Thai Air Force and used as a military base. During the Vietnam War, the Thais provided it to serve US military aircraft that bombed Vietnam from the air. In the future, the airport is undergoing modernization.

When there was no Suvarnabhumi yet, and the tourist flow of Thailand already significantly exceeded the capabilities of Don Muang, Utapao took over the functions of servicing civil aircraft. In any case, this concerned Pattaya and, in general, Rayong.

In 2008, when, as a result of the political crisis in Thailand, both capital airports were blocked for 10 days and did not receive / send aircraft, Utapao saved the Thai tourism industry from paralysis and became the country's main air port for the entire period. It retains its importance as a military airfield throughout its existence. Until now, it is under the control of the Thai military ministry.

Airport characteristics

The airport has an international category and meets the standards. Equipped with one runway 3.5 km long, covered with tarmac. Accepts all types of aircraft, including large representatives of the A380 series from Airbus.

There is only one passenger terminal. Capacity - 400 people. The airport operates standard services and services:

• shops (food, gifts, duty free, jewelry);
• cafes and Internet cafes;
• Thailand Post Office;
• taxi ordering;
• parking.

Serviced flights

Domestic flights make up about half of all flights received by the airport on a weekly basis. The following airlines operate on domestic routes:

• Bangkok Airways
• Thai Air Asia
• Kanair Lines

Flights are carried out daily and several times a day in the following areas:

• Udon Thani
• Chiang Mai
• Hat Yai
• Phuket
• Samui

International scheduled flights are operated by Thai Air Asia and connect Thailand with southern cities in China, including Singapore and Macau, as well as with the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.

At the beginning of 2016, charter flights to Pattaya arrived from Russian cities:

• Belgorod
• Moscow
• Samara
• Ufa
• Irkutsk

In Utapao, passengers on a charter route to Phuket can make a transfer.

Background Information

Address: Phla, Ban Chang, Rayong 21130
Airport website: www.utapao.com
Phone: 038-245595

By road, the path takes:

• to Pattaya - 40 minutes;
• to Rayong - 35 min.

A minibus shuttle runs to Pattaya. The fare is $7. Ordering a taxi from the airport will cost $20. For $15 you can take a taxi waiting outside.