U-Tapao Rayong–Pattaya International Airport (UTP) is located about 40 km from Pattaya and serves as a convenient alternative to Bangkok’s larger airports. While originally a military base, today U-Tapao operates both domestic and international flights, connecting travelers to destinations such as Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Udon Thani, Koh Samui, and Hua Hin, as well as selected routes to Malaysia and other Asian countries.
The airport has grown rapidly in recent years. With the opening of a second passenger terminal in 2019, capacity has doubled to over 3 million passengers annually, and UTP now handles daily international flights alongside domestic services. Though smaller than Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang, the airport is modernized, functional, and continues to expand its role as a key hub for Eastern Thailand.
