The U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City project is scheduled to enter its construction phase on April 3, following the issuance of a Notice to Proceed by the Eastern Economic Corridor Office to U-Tapao International Aviation Co., Ltd. The project forms part of Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) program and is structured as a 50-year concession running through 2076. With an estimated total development value of approximately 290 billion baht, it is intended to support the expansion of aviation and logistics infrastructure across the eastern seaboard, an area that continues to serve as a base for a wide range of industrial, commercial, and service-oriented businesses.

Under the current development plan, the first phase will involve an investment of approximately 10 billion baht to construct a new passenger terminal with capacity for 3 to 4 million passengers annually. This aligns more closely with current passenger volumes at U-Tapao Airport, which remain below 500,000 per year. Construction is expected to take three to four years. The project will proceed independently of the proposed high-speed rail link connecting Thailand’s major airports. Future expansion will be implemented in phases as passenger demand increases, with long-term plans to scale capacity up to 60 million passengers over the life of the concession.

From a legal and commercial perspective, the project sits within the EEC regulatory framework, which covers the provinces of Chonburi, Rayong, and Chachoengsao. Businesses establishing operations in the EEC may seek promotion through the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), which can provide incentives including corporate income tax exemptions, import duty relief, and, in certain cases, permission for foreign majority ownership. Additional measures within the EEC may include streamlined licensing procedures, long-term land use rights, and facilitation of visas and work permits for foreign staff. The airport’s proximity to Pattaya—one of Thailand’s highest-volume tourism destinations—may also be relevant for businesses in hospitality, retail, and related sectors, depending on the pace of development and future passenger growth. Contact us at info@sunlegal.co.th for more information on setting up a business in the EEC.

PDPC Draft Guidelines Put AI Data Responsibility on Businesses

Thailand is moving to clarify how existing data protection rules apply to artificial intelligence. On February 17, 2026, the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) issued draft guidelines outlining how the PDPA should be applied in the development and use of AI. Although not legally binding, the draft provides a clear indication of regulatory expectations and the likely direction of future enforcement.

A central point is that responsibility rests with the organization using AI. Where a business determines how AI is used, what data is input, and how outputs are applied, it will generally be treated as the data controller—even where third-party systems are involved. This brings with it full accountability for how personal data is handled across the AI lifecycle, including collection, use, storage, and deletion.

The draft also highlights a number of practical measures. These include limiting the use of personal data, ensuring transparency through privacy notices, and putting appropriate contractual controls in place with AI providers—particularly in relation to the use of data for model training. Higher-risk applications, such as automated decision-making, HR tools, or systems involving sensitive data, are expected to undergo more detailed risk assessments and incorporate human oversight where appropriate.

More broadly, the PDPC is focusing on issues such as algorithmic bias, unclear decision-making processes, and data security risks associated with AI systems. Businesses are expected to implement internal policies governing AI use, train staff, and ensure systems can support individuals’ rights under the PDPA. Sun Legal will monitor further developments.  Sun Legal can be contacted at info@sunlegal.co.th.

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