SINGAPORE—Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has instructed Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit to evaluate the possibility of turning Nakhon Ratchasima Wing 1 AB into a mixed-use airport.

This follows a visit by Srettha to Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Korat, on March 24, where local provincial agencies lobbied to use the air base for commercial purposes, the Bangkok Post has reported.

Korat previously had a passenger terminal from which LCC Nok Air operated service to Bangkok and northern Thailand's Chiang Mai. 

However, the routes were cancelled due to unprofitability. Nok Air was reportedly keen to return to Nakhon Ratchasima—the kingdom’s third-largest city—situated around 260 km (161 mi.) from the Thai capital.

Bearing IATA code NAK, Korat AB is one of Thailand’s key air bases and has a single 3,000-m (9,840-ft.) runway.

A similar feasibility study is also underway by the Transport Ministry on another new airport in Phayao, near Thailand's northern border. 

The prime minister has called for patience while the study is carried out and as the precise location of the site of Phayao's new airport is selected. If approved and constructed by 2034, the airport is expected to handle 78,000 passengers annually.