Government agencies and the private sector have taken a major step towards bringing international flights to Hua Hin Airport, with Thai AirAsia identifying four potential overseas routes.
The Market Insights and Customer Insights Workshop was held on Friday, 3 July 2026, at Holiday Inn Vana Nava Hua Hin, bringing together more than 60 tourism, hotel and hospitality operators from Hua Hin and Cha-am.
The meeting focused on the airport’s readiness, future air services and the development of Hua Hin as a higher-value tourism destination.
It was attended by Surasak Phancharoenworakul, Minister of Tourism and Sports; Phattrapong Phattraprasit, Deputy Minister of Transport; Sitthichai Swadsaen, Governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan; Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand; Danai Ruangsorn, Director-General of the Department of Airports; and Phairat Pornpathananangoon, Chief Executive Officer of Thai AirAsia.
Four overseas routes identified for Hua Hin Airport
Phattrapong Phattraprasit, Deputy Minister of Transport
The workshop was organised around four key areas: the right destination, the right customer, the right product and the right support.
Singapore, Taipei, Shanghai and Kuala Lumpur were identified as high-potential international routes for Hua Hin.
The routes are seen as having the potential to bring more international visitors directly to Hua Hin, particularly families, honeymooners and travellers with higher spending power.
Participants said Hua Hin should build on its existing strengths in wellness tourism, spas, golf and water sports, while also improving local transport links and developing new attractions.
They also proposed support measures for airlines, including airport fee discounts and joint marketing campaigns, as well as closer cooperation with TAT overseas offices to promote Hua Hin and future direct flights.
AirAsia says Hua Hin has strong international potential
Phairat Pornpathananangoon, Chief Executive Officer of Thai AirAsia
Mr Phairat said Thai AirAsia supports the government’s plan to develop Hua Hin Airport and would use information from the workshop to assess future international services.
“AirAsia currently operates four weekly flights between Hua Hin and Chiang Mai, with daily services scheduled to begin this October. Once the airport infrastructure is fully ready, we are pleased to study the possibility of launching direct international flights to Hua Hin as the first airline to do so. We believe Hua Hin has tremendous potential to attract both mainstream and premium international travellers, particularly through its unique strengths in wellness, sports, and leisure tourism,” Mr Phairat said.
Mr Surasak said the Ministry of Tourism and Sports would include recommendations from the private sector in its international route development and destination marketing plans.
The aim is to support Hua Hin’s growth as a major tourism destination and generate long-term economic benefits for Prachuap Khiri Khan and the Gulf Coast.
Airport upgrades targeted by end of 2026
Mr Phattrapong said the Ministry of Transport is speeding up infrastructure work to support Hua Hin Airport’s international plans.
The government wants the airport’s runway upgraded to meet International Civil Aviation Organization standards by the end of 2026, allowing it to handle international commercial flights.
The airport upgrade is seen as a key requirement before regular international services can begin.
Better road and rail links to support Hua Hin Airport
The Ministry of Transport is also moving ahead with projects expected to improve access to Hua Hin, including upgrades to Rama II Road and the double-track railway.
The rail project is expected to reduce travel time between Bangkok and Hua Hin from about three hours to around two and a half hours.
Officials said improved road, rail and air links would help strengthen Hua Hin’s position as a major tourism destination on Thailand’s Gulf Coast.
Friday’s workshop marked one of the clearest public-private steps so far towards turning Hua Hin Airport into an international gateway, with Hua Hin and Cha-am being positioned as key destinations for future tourism growth.