Project Detail
Location: Southern Thailand
Project type: Aviation and industrial infrastructure
Client: PTT Thailand
Building area: Approximately 3,000 square metres
Capacity: Up to six AgustaWestland helicopters
Construction system: Prefabricated wide-span steel structure
Sotech Asia’s role: Design-development, steel-prefabrication and construction contractor
Project status: Completed
Sotech Asia was selected as the construction contractor to deliver a 3,000-square-metre helicopter hangar for PTT Thailand in southern Thailand.
The completed facility can accommodate up to six AgustaWestland helicopters used to transport personnel safely and reliably to offshore oil rigs in the Gulf of Thailand.
During the tender stage, Sotech Asia proposed a redesigned wide-span structural-steel system that provided improved structural performance, durability and cost efficiency compared with the original design. The alternative engineering proposal was reviewed and approved by the project owner.
The project demonstrates how an experienced construction company Phuket clients rely on can combine engineering innovation, off-site prefabrication and accurate site installation to deliver specialized aviation infrastructure.
Completed Design and Construction Scope
Sotech Asia coordinated and delivered the principal design-development, steel-prefabrication and construction works for the helicopter hangar.
The completed scope included:
- Review of the original structural design
- Development of an alternative wide-span solution
- Structural engineering and connection detailing
- Detailed fabrication and shop drawings
- Off-site structural-steel prefabrication
- Protective painting of steel components
- Quality-control inspections
- Transportation to the project site
- Structural-steel erection
- Assembly of the wide-span frame
- Hangar-envelope construction
- Coordination of specialist subcontractors
- Quality and safety management
- Construction planning and site supervision
- As-built documentation
Managing these activities under one coordinated programme allowed Sotech Asia to maintain control from the approved redesign through to fabrication and final site installation.
Approved Wide-Span Steel Redesign
Sotech Asia reviewed the original hangar design during the bidding phase and developed an alternative wide-span steel structure.
Aircraft hangars require large, open internal areas with minimal structural obstruction. The redesigned solution created the clear space required for helicopter movement, positioning and maintenance operations.
The approved redesign focused on:
- Wide, unobstructed internal spans
- Structural strength and stability
- Efficient use of structural steel
- Long-term durability
- Practical component fabrication
- Efficient transportation
- Safe and accurate site installation
- Improved overall cost efficiency
The proposal demonstrated Sotech Asia’s ability to evaluate an existing concept and develop an alternative solution tailored to the project’s operational and commercial requirements.
Designed for Six AgustaWestland Helicopters
The completed hangar provides sufficient space for up to six modern AgustaWestland helicopters.
Accommodating multiple aircraft required careful planning of the internal layout, structural clearances, access points and movement areas.
Key operational considerations included:
- Helicopter dimensions
- Rotor clearances
- Safe aircraft positioning
- Unobstructed internal floor space
- Hangar-door openings
- Personnel movement
- Operational access
- Maintenance requirements
- Integration with surrounding aviation infrastructure
The wide-span design allows aircraft and personnel to move within the facility without interference from unnecessary internal columns.
Off-Site Steel Prefabrication
The hangar’s structural-steel frame was fully prefabricated and painted off-site before delivery.
Manufacturing the components under controlled conditions provided several advantages:
- Accurate fabrication
- Consistent component dimensions
- Controlled welding conditions
- Improved quality inspections
- Consistent protective-paint application
- Reduced work at the project site
- Faster structural installation
- Improved control of the construction programme
The prefabrication process included preparation of production drawings, cutting and assembly of structural sections, connection detailing, painting, inspection and identification of components for delivery.
Protective Painting and Quality Control
Painting the steel components before transportation allowed the protective coating to be applied in a controlled working environment.
The off-site process supported:
- Consistent surface preparation
- Controlled coating application
- Reliable inspection
- Reduced weather-related disruption
- Improved protection during construction
- Reduced painting work at height
- Faster progress after site delivery
Components were inspected before transportation to confirm that they complied with the approved drawings, dimensions and project-quality requirements.
Transportation and Site Installation
Once fabrication and painting were complete, the steel components were transported to the project site in southern Thailand for assembly.
Delivery and installation had to be carefully sequenced so that components arrived in the correct order for efficient erection.
The process required coordination of:
- Component identification
- Loading and transportation
- Site-delivery schedules
- Unloading and storage
- Crane positioning
- Lifting operations
- Temporary stability
- Structural alignment
- Connection installation
- Final inspections
This planned approach reduced congestion at the site and supported safe, efficient steel erection.
High-Performance Aviation Infrastructure
Helicopter hangars are specialized industrial buildings that must combine large internal spaces with reliable structural performance and practical operational access.
The completed PTT Thailand facility provides:
- Approximately 3,000 square metres of hangar space
- Capacity for up to six helicopters
- Wide and unobstructed internal spans
- Prefabricated structural-steel construction
- Durable protective coatings
- Efficient aircraft access
- Operational flexibility
- Structural reliability
- Coordinated aviation infrastructure
The facility supports helicopter transport operations serving offshore oil installations in the Gulf of Thailand.
Construction for Offshore Support Operations
Helicopter transport plays an important role in moving personnel to and from offshore oil facilities.
The hangar was therefore designed and constructed to support demanding operational requirements where reliability, safety and efficient aircraft movement are essential.
The completed building provides PTT Thailand with a dedicated facility capable of housing and supporting the helicopter fleet used for these transport operations.
Experienced Construction Company Delivering Projects Across Thailand
Specialised aviation and industrial buildings require experienced engineering, accurate steel fabrication and disciplined site management.
As an established construction company in Phuket, Sotech Asia delivers structural-steel, commercial and industrial projects throughout southern Thailand and other regions.
Our capabilities include:
- Aviation and hangar construction
- Industrial-building construction
- Wide-span structural-steel systems
- Structural redesign and value engineering
- Off-site steel prefabrication
- Protective coating and painting
- Steel transportation and erection
- Specialist-subcontractor coordination
- Quality and safety management
- Construction planning and site supervision
The successful completion of the PTT Thailand helicopter hangar demonstrates Sotech Asia’s capabilities as a professional contractor Phuket and regional project owners can rely on for technically demanding infrastructure.
For an experienced construction company Phuket clients can depend on for projects throughout southern Thailand, contact Sotech Asia to discuss your upcoming aviation, industrial or structural-steel project.