Hua Hin Airport, long seen as a sleepy hub serving limited domestic routes, is about to take a giant leap onto the international stage. The Transport Ministry, led by Deputy Minister Manaporn Charoensri, has made it clear: by next year, Hua Hin will shake off its provincial airport status and welcome travelers from across the globe. Behind the scenes, the Department of Airports (DoA) and various aviation agencies are racing to tick all the boxes, including securing the coveted international certification. For a town that thrives on tourism, this upgrade promises more than just smoother check-ins—it’s set to turbocharge the local economy and redefine Hua Hin as a regional travel powerhouse.
At the heart of this transformation is the runway. Bigger, better, and up to international standards, the expanded 45-meter-wide runway is already complete and awaiting the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand’s final thumbs-up. But the revamp doesn’t stop there. Plans are underway to enhance the runway-end safety areas, expand the road tunnel, and refine surrounding infrastructure—a 300-million-baht investment that’s currently being weighed by the Budget Bureau. If the stars align, contracts will be inked this month, paving the way for construction to kick off in January and wrap up by April 2026. Once the dust settles, Hua Hin will be ready to welcome larger aircraft, more passengers, and a new chapter in its aviation story.
For now, Thai AirAsia keeps Hua Hin’s skies busy with its Chiang Mai-Hua Hin route, four days a week. But the passenger terminal, already handling 300 people an hour, is poised for expansion to meet the surge of international travelers on the horizon. From leisurely beachgoers to business movers and shakers, this upgrade will bring Hua Hin into sharper focus as a destination of choice. One thing’s for sure—the countdown to Hua Hin’s international debut has begun, and the runway is clear for takeoff.
(Source: Nation Thailand | Bangkok Post)
