FLIGHT OF FANCY
Inside incredible $9billion ‘aviation megacity’ for 75million passengers a year with gardens, leisure venues and hotels
A FUTURISTIC aviation city with lush gardens, hotels and entertainment complexes will start taking shape this year.
Construction could begin in weeks after Thailand's government approved a $9billion masterplan to attract millions more tourists.
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The ambitious scheme will transform U-Tapao airport, near Pattaya on the Gulf of Thailand.
The Vietnam-war era airport currently sees only a handful of flights a day.
But planners see it as an alternative gateway to Bangkok, 100 miles north, and hope for an influx of visitors.
The expanded hub will be able to handle up to 75million passengers a year, and will be linked by high speed rail to Bangkok's two other airports, Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang.
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Project bosses said: “With high-speed trains, all three airports can accommodate up to 200million passengers per year, making Thailand the centre of the tourism industry, as well as logistics and aviation.”
Plans show a spectacular new terminal building, laid out radially like spokes on a wheel to reduce walking time.
Nature-inspired interiors flooded with natural light and street food style dining options are intended to help travellers relax "in the true sense of Thai hospitality."
Beside it will be the brand new Eastern Aviation City - dubbed Aerocity - including a free trade zone for commodoties.
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Architects One Works say the new commercial gateway will "promote trend-setting lifestyle and technology innovation".
It is designed not only as a space for travellers to enjoy a layover between flights, but as a destination itself as the potential first stop-off on a holiday.
Hotels, restaurants, offices and contemporary homes will surround tree-lined pedestrian streets, ponds and parks.
Shops, markets, galleries and entertainment venues will also be included, "bringing together everything a genuine community needs to thrive".
It is one of Thailand's largest megastructure projects, aimed to boost the economy in the industrial east.
Construction is set to begin early this year, said government spokesperson Tipanan Sirichana.
Meanwhile Saudi Arabia has grand plans for a ski resort in the desert.
Trojena, in the mountains near the Red Sea, will have ski runs using artificial snow and a giant man-made lake.
It is part of Saudi Arabia’s $500billion Neom megacity project, the brainchild of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
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At its heart will be a 75-mile sideways skyscraper dubbed The Line.
And a huge floating city called The Oxagon will lie just offshore, with futuristic homes linked by canals.
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