The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Thailand have signed a $68.74 million loan agreement to build resilient infrastructure connecting U-Tapao Airport in the Eastern Economic Corridor, Thailand’s key manufacturing and innovation hub. The agreement was signed by Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat and ADB Country Director Anouj Mehta, with officials from the Finance Ministry and Transport Ministry witnessing the ceremony in Bangkok.
The project will improve access to U-Tapao International Airport by building a 1.92-kilometer extension of Intercity Motorway No. 7 and expanding a 5.65-kilometer section of National Highway No. 3. The construction will connect the Bang Phai River area in the west to the Motorway No. 7 interchange in the east, creating better transport links for the region.
The infrastructure project incorporates climate-resilient design to handle rising temperatures and increased rainfall. ADB Country Director Anouj Mehta said the project will use green cement and adopt a “green campsite” approach for construction sites, including solar panels, energy storage systems, and proper waste and water management systems.
The completed road network will support multimodal transport connecting rail, road, and air systems in the Eastern Economic Corridor, where key industries like smart electronics, agriculture and biotechnology, healthcare, and digital services operate. The project will also help Thailand transition to a low-carbon transport system and include climate monitoring systems managed by the Department of Highways.
Since 1968, ADB has provided $7.4 billion in loans, grants, and technical assistance to Thailand across energy, transport, agriculture, public sector, social services, and waste management. The bank supports 69 member countries with 50 from the Asia-Pacific region.
