“Since the conflict erupted over the weekend, many foreign tourists have shifted to booking long‑haul flights to Thailand via Thai Airways. However, developing an aviation hub takes time, he said. Thailand’s best opportunity lies in becoming an aviation hub for the 680 million people in Southeast Asia, although this largely depends on how quickly the country can develop supporting infrastructure beyond its main airports, he said. Mr Tassapon said Thailand will not achieve aviation hub status unless major ongoing projects, such as the high‑speed railway linking three airports — six years behind schedule because of endless contract snags — are successfully completed. Becoming an aviation hub requires a long-term commitment, particularly in developing the broader transport network to better accommodate travellers, he said.

Source: Bangkok Post March 03, 2026 18:02 UTC