Thailand’s Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) expects to complete its revised Suvarnabhumi Airport master plan by September 2025, laying the groundwork for major infrastructure upgrades intended to increase passenger capacity and regional competitiveness.
The updated master plan, which began review in April 2025, will clarify which components should be prioritized, postponed, or modified in order to scale Suvarnabhumi’s annual capacity to 150 million passengers by 2031. This forms part of the government’s broader objective of establishing Thailand as a leading aviation hub in Southeast Asia.
Preliminary steps already underway include a proposal to build an 81,000-square-meter east terminal extension, valued at approximately 13 billion baht. If approved by the Cabinet following consultation with relevant agencies, construction could commence immediately. This expansion is projected to increase Suvarnabhumi’s capacity by 15 million passengers annually, bringing the total to 80 million.
In parallel, AOT is expected to advance the development of a fourth runway and a new south terminal by 2027. The south terminal, spanning around 1.5 million square meters, is intended to accommodate up to 70 million passengers, while the new runway will boost the airport’s hourly flight handling capacity from 98 to 120.
The current deliberation also includes whether to retain or cancel the planned SAT-2 satellite terminal. The outcome hinges on the final master plan, which is being assessed by Netherlands Airport Consultants (NACO), in addition to prior input from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Regardless of the SAT-2 decision, an Automated People Mover (APM) system will be implemented to connect key terminal zones.
Suvarnabhumi handled approximately 60 million passengers in 2024, with projections suggesting a rise to 64 million in 2025—surpassing pre-pandemic levels. AOT aims to position Suvarnabhumi among the world’s top 20 airports by 2029.
Officials involved in the planning and consultation process include senior executives from AOT, the National Economic and Social Development Council, and other related agencies.