The winning bidder for the U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City Development PPP project in Rayong Province is expected to be announced in May. The estimated investment for the project is THB 200 billion (US$6,25 billion).

Thai Government is currently in the process of evaluation of the proposals. The following three bidders submitted their offers for this PPP:

• BBS Joint Venture, which includes Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited (BA), BTS Group Holdings Public Company Limited (BTS), and Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Public Company Limited (STEC).
• Grand Consortium which consists of Property Perfect Public Company Limited (PF), Christiani & Nielsen (Thai) Public Company Limited (CNT), and Thai Air Asia Co., Ltd. from Asia Aviation Public Company Limited (AAV).
• Thana Holding Co., Ltd. which consists of Thana Holding Co., Ltd., Orient Success International Limited, Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited (ITD), CH. Karnchang Public Company Limited (CK), and BGRIM Joint Venture Co., Ltd.

The project involves the construction of the second runway and taxiway as well as the third passenger terminal, and the development of aviation-related industries in the airport's vicinity, which include Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, the Aviation Training Center, cargo facilities, Cargo Village, and commercial precinct creating what will be called Thailand's "Eastern Aviation City".

Expansion of the airport is expected to increase the airport´s capacity from three to fifteen million passengers a year by 2022.

U-Tapao Airport project is one of several Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) projects that will promote Thailand as an important trade hub in Asia.

The objective of the project is to establish the third main international airport in Thailand for business expansions, as well as to better facilitate the establishment of a Special Economic Zone in anticipation of the EEC expansion. In addition, it will serve as a passenger link to Don Muang International Airport and Suvarnabhumi International Airport, while simultaneously supporting growth as a regionally important aviation hub.