The Department of Airports (DOA) wants to upgrade its 28 airports and finish construction of a new one in Yala's Betong district at an estimated total cost of 36 billion baht to meet an expected surge in passenger numbers over the next 10 years.
The move is in line with a plan to improve the country's aviation industry to make Thailand a key regional aviation hub, recently approved on Monday by the so-called mini-cabinet.
The mini-cabinet is the government's strategic national administration committee, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Under the plan, a total of 39 airports nationwide will be developed to handle an expected 277 million passengers annually within the next 10 years.
Of the 39 airports, 28 are operated by the department, of which its Betong airport in Yala is still under under construction.
Another six airports are run by Airports of Thailand Plc, three are operated by Bangkok Airways Plc, and the other is the navy's U-Tapao airport.
DOA director-general Darun Saengchai said the department's 36 billion baht plan will be divided into two phases, with the first phase covering 2017-2021 and requiring a budget of 24 billion baht.
Airports earmarked for the first-phase upgrade will include Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Khon Kaen and Trang airports.
Narathiwat airport, and Mae Sot airport in Tak province, as well as work on the new Betong airport in Yala will also form part of the first phase.
The 12-billion-baht second-phase upgrades between 2022-2026 will include Nakhon Si Thammarat (further upgrade), Trang (further upgrade), Surat Thani and Ubon Ratchathani airports.
Udon Thani, Roi Et, Lampang (runway), Sakhon Nakhon, Loei, and Hua Hin airports are also included.
Mr Darun said that when all the upgrades and construction of Yala's airport are complete, they will have the capacity to handle about 58 million passengers by 2025.
He said the department has submitted a 10-year airport upgrade and construction plan to the Transport Ministry to seek budget allocations.
The department's busiest airports, handling the largest number of passengers will be first in line for upgrades, Mr Darun added.
Of the three main international airports, Don Mueang is expected to handle 40 million passengers, Suvarnabhumi airport 90 million and U-Tapao 30 million.