BANGKOK (March 6): Thailand's military government plans to spend about 406 billion baht (US$11.59 billion) on airport development nationwide over the next 10 years to handle increasing passengers, a senior official said on Monday.

The plan, aimed at making Thailand a regional aviation hub, would enable Thailand to receive 277 million passengers a year over the next decade from about 130 million currently, Kobsak Pootrakul, vice minister at the Prime Minister's Office, told reporters.

The junta has ramped up investment in a bid to spur growth in Southeast Asia's second's largest economy, which has lagged regional peers since the army sized power in May 2014.

Tourism receipts account for about 10% of Thailand's economic output and have been a rare bright spot.

The number of foreign tourists was a record 32.6 million last year and the government is expecting 34-35 million travellers this year.

(US$1 = 35.02 baht)