Anyone ever used the UTP airport on the border of Chon Buri / Rayong Province to travel domestically in Thailand (Phuket, Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, Koh Samui) rather than drive up to DMK/BKK? I'm considering flying to Udon Thani and found flights from UTP that are only around 150 baht more expensive than DMK/BKK. Would also be cheaper and quicker to get from Jomtien to UTP than DMK/BKK. I have a beta article out there on using UTP, but none of it is ground truthed so it's not worth providing a link.

The disadvantages seem to be limited destinations (which is ok if you're going to the four I mentioned), potentially higher prices (but mostly for flights that *aren't* nonstops and require an equipment change), and a very limited number of flights per week per destination (which can also be fine if you're flexible). It may work for me and I may give it a try and attempt a longish write-up about it.

I don't see too many downsides other than what I mentioned and perhaps a lack of restaurants and other facilities at UTP compared with larger airports. Though someone told me UTP has a 7 Eleven inside so that may be enough for me.

Someone other than the Thai military must be using the airport. Evidently, there are two Russian airlines that serve the expat community. And apparently there were a number of flights to destinations in China pre-COVID; but I don't know how many, if any, of those routes are still operating.