Surat Thani International Airport (URT)
Surat Thani International Airport (IATA: URT, ICAO: VTSB) is a regional air transport hub in Southern Thailand, located approximately 21 kilometers west of Surat Thani city in Tambon Hua Toei, Amphoe Phunphin. It serves both civilian and military functions, sharing facilities with the Royal Thai Air Force’s Wing 7 squadron. Operated by Thailand’s Department of Airports, it is the 10th busiest airport in the country, handling over 2 million passengers annually.
Key Airport Information
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Location: Tambon Hua Toei, Phunphin District, Surat Thani Province, Thailand
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IATA/ICAO Code: URT / VTSB
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Type: Public / Military
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Operator: Department of Airports (Thailand)
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Owner: Royal Thai Air Force
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Elevation: 6.1 meters (20 feet) above sea level
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Opened: 15 April 1981
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Runway: One asphalt runway
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Passenger Traffic: Over 2 million passengers annually
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Expansion Plans: Designed to expand capacity to 3.6 million passengers per year
Airlines and Destinations
Surat Thani Airport provides both domestic and international flights. It serves as a secondary airport for travelers heading to popular destinations in the Gulf of Thailand, such as Koh Samui.
Major Domestic Routes:
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Bangkok (Don Mueang Airport - DMK)
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Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport - BKK)
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Chiang Mai (seasonal)
International Routes:
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Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
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Chengdu (China)
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Charter routes to Russia (e.g., Nordwind Airlines)
Operating Airlines:
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Thai AirAsia
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Thai Smile
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Nok Air
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Thai Lion Air
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Spring Airlines
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Nordwind Airlines (charter)
Airport Facilities
While modest in scale, Surat Thani Airport offers essential facilities for passenger comfort and convenience:
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Airline check-in counters
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Waiting lounges
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Snack stalls and coffee kiosks
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Currency exchange and ATMs
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Car rental counters
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Free and paid parking
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Restrooms and baby-changing stations
Ground Transportation
Surat Thani Airport provides a range of transport services for onward travel:
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Taxis and private cars: Available at the arrival terminal for trips to Surat Thani city and nearby towns.
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Airport Buses: Shuttle services to destinations such as Donsak Pier (gateway to Koh Samui), Krabi, and Phuket.
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Minivans: Shared transportation to tourist destinations across Southern Thailand.
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Car Rentals: Offered by several national and international agencies.
Strategic Importance
Surat Thani Airport plays a vital role in Thailand’s transportation infrastructure. In addition to serving tourists heading to the islands and coastal provinces, it also supports military operations and regional logistics. Planned upgrades aim to improve capacity, services, and passenger experience as tourism and regional connectivity continue to grow.
Surat Thani International Airport is a reliable and efficient entry point to Southern Thailand’s mainland and island destinations, balancing accessibility with operational simplicity.
