BANGKOK, Thailand Buddhist monks apologized to the spirits and asked them to ward off all bad luck in preparations Saturday for the opening of Bangkok's new international airport next week.
Despite more than 40 years of planning, a welter of corruption scandals and most recently a military coup, officials confirmed that Suvarnabhumi International Airport would be ready for full domestic and international service Thursday.
Just to be sure, 99 monks and Brahmin priests were called in to perform a ceremony at the vast new facility 32 kilometers (20 miles) east of Bangkok.
Chotisak Aspaviriya, head of the Airports Authority of Thailand, told reporters the ceremony was staged to apologize to the spirits of the land for any offenses committed during the construction of the airport, along with the spirits of animals who died on what was once swampland infested with snakes and other creatures.
The monks and priests also asked the spirits to grant them use of the airport and ensure its prosperity. Despite their adherence to Buddhism, Thais are still deeply worshipful of animist spirits and Hindu deities that have nothing to do with the formal religion.
"Up to this moment I can still reassure you that the airport is 100 percent ready for commercial flight operations from September 28," airport manager Somchai Sawasdeepon told The Associated Press.
SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT
Suvarnabhumi Airport needs expansion
Kasikorn Research Centre (KRC) recommended that agencies involved with Suvarnabhumi Airport consider expanding the hub to keep pace with a rapidly growing aviation industry.
According to International Air Transport Association (IATA), in the next five years, commercial passenger service will grow by 5.6 percent per year, while cargo business will grow by 6.3 percent per year.
“Suvarnabhumi Airport covers 8,000 acres, making it possible to host a maximum of four runways, 112 flights per hour, 100 million passengers per year and six million tonnes of cargo per year,â€
Kasikorn Research Centre (KRC) recommended that agencies involved with Suvarnabhumi Airport consider expanding the hub to keep pace with a rapidly growing aviation industry.
According to International Air Transport Association (IATA), in the next five years, commercial passenger service will grow by 5.6 percent per year, while cargo business will grow by 6.3 percent per year.
“Suvarnabhumi Airport covers 8,000 acres, making it possible to host a maximum of four runways, 112 flights per hour, 100 million passengers per year and six million tonnes of cargo per year,â€
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
hmmmm...from where this future growth should come????
China, right?...but they have their own airports already!
After destroyed dreams of becoming a 2nd Rotterdam (oil+habor), a 2nd Paris (fashion), a 2nd Detroit (car-production), a 2nd Silicon Valley (oops...Malaysia was quicker), a new dream seems to be in work!
Hope our analysts are not crying too much, if they're confronted with the reality again!
(Would be nice, if they could tell us at first, when the infrastructure for the soon operating airport will be ready...my taxi-driver is longing for information!)
China, right?...but they have their own airports already!
After destroyed dreams of becoming a 2nd Rotterdam (oil+habor), a 2nd Paris (fashion), a 2nd Detroit (car-production), a 2nd Silicon Valley (oops...Malaysia was quicker), a new dream seems to be in work!
Hope our analysts are not crying too much, if they're confronted with the reality again!
(Would be nice, if they could tell us at first, when the infrastructure for the soon operating airport will be ready...my taxi-driver is longing for information!)
CDRM told that Suvarnabhumi Airport is set for Sept. 28
Senior officials of Ministry of Transport and Airports of Thailand Plc. (AOT) have informed the Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) that Suvarnabhumi Airport will open on schedule.
The CDRM held a meeting with executives on Sunday to inquire about the status of the new airport, which begins full domestic and international services on September 28.
CDRM representatives received a detailed briefing and were told that all systems – including the passenger check-in and air-traffic control – are ready.
The representatives were also given Bangkok International Airport’s (Don Muang) flight schedule for its last day of commercial operations.
The new airport is receiving close attention from military and police officials, not only because of the opening but also because of inquiries into government spending during the Thaksin administration.
When asked to comment on reports that the newly-appointed National Counter-Corruption Commission will soon begin an investigation into the procurement of CTX 9000 bomb scanners, Suvarnabhumi Airport General Manager Somchai Sawasdeepon said he will fully cooperate with officials.
Somchai insists the procurement followed proper procedures with AOT officials performing their duties at the operational level. He is confident the AOT will not be dragged into any political problems.
TNA 2006-09-24
Senior officials of Ministry of Transport and Airports of Thailand Plc. (AOT) have informed the Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) that Suvarnabhumi Airport will open on schedule.
The CDRM held a meeting with executives on Sunday to inquire about the status of the new airport, which begins full domestic and international services on September 28.
CDRM representatives received a detailed briefing and were told that all systems – including the passenger check-in and air-traffic control – are ready.
The representatives were also given Bangkok International Airport’s (Don Muang) flight schedule for its last day of commercial operations.
The new airport is receiving close attention from military and police officials, not only because of the opening but also because of inquiries into government spending during the Thaksin administration.
When asked to comment on reports that the newly-appointed National Counter-Corruption Commission will soon begin an investigation into the procurement of CTX 9000 bomb scanners, Suvarnabhumi Airport General Manager Somchai Sawasdeepon said he will fully cooperate with officials.
Somchai insists the procurement followed proper procedures with AOT officials performing their duties at the operational level. He is confident the AOT will not be dragged into any political problems.
TNA 2006-09-24
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
CDRM to give Suvarnabhumi final check
The Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) will inspect Suvarnabhumi Airport before it opens on September 28.
“The CDRM wants to make sure that everything is ready for the first day of full commercial service,â€
The Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) will inspect Suvarnabhumi Airport before it opens on September 28.
“The CDRM wants to make sure that everything is ready for the first day of full commercial service,â€
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
CDRM special committee finds Suvarnabhumi prepared
A day after being appointed chairman of a special committee to oversee Suvarnabhumi Airport’s opening, Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukbhasuk, head of the Royal Thai Air Force, inspected the new facility and concluded it ready for the September 28 opening.
The Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) created the committee to ensure the airport’s first day goes well.
“Suvarnabhumi began offering passenger service on September 15 [as part of the airport’s soft opening]. We encountered some minor problems, which have since been solved,â€
A day after being appointed chairman of a special committee to oversee Suvarnabhumi Airport’s opening, Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukbhasuk, head of the Royal Thai Air Force, inspected the new facility and concluded it ready for the September 28 opening.
The Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) created the committee to ensure the airport’s first day goes well.
“Suvarnabhumi began offering passenger service on September 15 [as part of the airport’s soft opening]. We encountered some minor problems, which have since been solved,â€
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
Massive airport move may cause traffic chaos
A worker races against the clock to finish building a booth inside the passenger terminal at Suvarnabhumi airport, which is scheduled to open for full operation tomorrow at 3am. — JETJARAS NA RANONG
Parts of Vibhavadi Rangsit road are expected to be clogged today and tomorrow as a convoy of lorries carrying the last consignment of equipment leaves Don Muang for the new airport, Suvarnabhumi. Airport staff at Don Muang, which will shut down after tomorrow, began relocating facilities to Suvarnabhumi on Monday. The relocation of the equipment, mainly the property of Thai Airways International (THAI), is expected to be completed in two days.More than 300 city and traffic policemen have been ordered to assist in the transport. Hundreds of trucks will be involved.
Transport permanent secretary Wanchai Sarathulthat said the equipment transport was considered in the national interest and will be overseen by Supreme Commander Gen Ruengroj Mahasaranont.
The police yesterday told motorists to avoid using nine routes, especially Vibhavadi Rangsit road near Don Muang airport, that will be used by the lorries.
Vibhavadi Rangsit road is the main artery linking the city with the northern and eastern transport routes.
Airports of Thailand president Chotisak Asapaviriya said city police will continue to guard Don Muang 24 hours a day after it shuts down.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department expects thunderstorms and rain in Bangkok tomorrow. The wet weather could worsen traffic on the routes.
But THAI president Flight Officer Apinan Sumanaseni brushed aside the potential impact of bad weather on THAI's operations, saying all equipment would be moved to Suvarnabhumi as planned.
The relocation plan had taken into account the weather factor, he said.
THAI will start moving its fleet from Don Muang to Suvarnabhumi today until the early hours of tomorrow. The national flag carrier will shift 21 planes during the 16-hour span starting from 9.10am today.
Bangkok Post 2006-09-27
A worker races against the clock to finish building a booth inside the passenger terminal at Suvarnabhumi airport, which is scheduled to open for full operation tomorrow at 3am. — JETJARAS NA RANONG
Parts of Vibhavadi Rangsit road are expected to be clogged today and tomorrow as a convoy of lorries carrying the last consignment of equipment leaves Don Muang for the new airport, Suvarnabhumi. Airport staff at Don Muang, which will shut down after tomorrow, began relocating facilities to Suvarnabhumi on Monday. The relocation of the equipment, mainly the property of Thai Airways International (THAI), is expected to be completed in two days.More than 300 city and traffic policemen have been ordered to assist in the transport. Hundreds of trucks will be involved.
Transport permanent secretary Wanchai Sarathulthat said the equipment transport was considered in the national interest and will be overseen by Supreme Commander Gen Ruengroj Mahasaranont.
The police yesterday told motorists to avoid using nine routes, especially Vibhavadi Rangsit road near Don Muang airport, that will be used by the lorries.
Vibhavadi Rangsit road is the main artery linking the city with the northern and eastern transport routes.
Airports of Thailand president Chotisak Asapaviriya said city police will continue to guard Don Muang 24 hours a day after it shuts down.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department expects thunderstorms and rain in Bangkok tomorrow. The wet weather could worsen traffic on the routes.
But THAI president Flight Officer Apinan Sumanaseni brushed aside the potential impact of bad weather on THAI's operations, saying all equipment would be moved to Suvarnabhumi as planned.
The relocation plan had taken into account the weather factor, he said.
THAI will start moving its fleet from Don Muang to Suvarnabhumi today until the early hours of tomorrow. The national flag carrier will shift 21 planes during the 16-hour span starting from 9.10am today.
Bangkok Post 2006-09-27
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
Just been sat watching TV5 with my wife - everything in Thai as usual, so I didn't understand a thing! There was a documentary on the new airport - showing different views, and how efficient it worked (at this stage, the director must have been using his imagination before it is open).
I have to say that it looks like a fantastic building - obviously, only time will tell.
I have to say that it looks like a fantastic building - obviously, only time will tell.
Championship Plymouth Argyle 1 - 2 Leeds Utd 
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Airport crisis centre - 'just in case'
Airports of Thailand Plc. (AOT) has established a crisis centre as officials make final preparations for Suvarnabhumi Airport’s first full day of local and international operations early on Thursday.
“The centre will deal with problems in various areas including check-in, electricity, and computer and communications systems,â€
Airports of Thailand Plc. (AOT) has established a crisis centre as officials make final preparations for Suvarnabhumi Airport’s first full day of local and international operations early on Thursday.
“The centre will deal with problems in various areas including check-in, electricity, and computer and communications systems,â€
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
Fond farewells at Don Muang International Airport
Some tears were seen as airline employees and members of the public bid farewell to Bangkok International Airport at Don Muang Wednesday, taking photos in remembrance of times past.
Don Muang airport ends more than 90 years service to the public Wednesday and officially will be reborn as Suvarnabhumi Airport Thursday at 3am (0300 hours).
It is the last day Don Muang International Airport will provide services, but passengers and tourists continue to count on the airport for inbound and outbound flights as normal--at least on Wednesday--.
Airline staff and the Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited, and others who just came to say good-bye, carried cameras to document the last hours and say farewell to a grand and gracious lady who has served millions of visitors to Thailand, and Thais departing for other destinations and destinies.
Despite the 40-year wait for the new airport, many appeared as if caught by surprise now that it is actually happening.
Many cameras were in evidence as a scramble for souvenir photos reflected an awareness that they--and the "we" of the rest of Thailand and its friends who will not see its welcoming smiles again--can no longer receive her services with a smile, because Don Muang will be open only for chartered planes and those on official duty.
Cargo services and domestic and overseas passenger flights will be officially transferred to Suvarnabhumi Airport at 3am (0300 hours) on Thursday.
However, there are still passengers at Don Muang International Airport Wednesday because it is normal working day.
Many airliners have adjusted schedules and reduced the number of flights in preparation for transferring their operations, making check-in counters less busy than usual.
Philip C. Laibee, a tourist from the United States, said what tourists will remember about Don Muang airport is the convenience they received at lower cost than other airports around the world.
What tourists expect from Suvarnabhumi Airport, Mr. Laibee said, is greater convenience they they had at Don Muang.
The American tourist said he was confident that more tourists would visit Thailand since Thai people are friendly and service costs are low.
Sureeporn Thonraya, a former employee at a duty-free shop in Don Muang International Airport, said she came to the airport Wednesday to remember the working environment where she spent so much time and to take away photos as memories.
"I'm shocked because I've been at the airport for 11 years," she said. "I'll go with my friends for a farewell party that Thai Airways International today."
TNA 2006-09-27
The only place were if have seen big man cry............
Some tears were seen as airline employees and members of the public bid farewell to Bangkok International Airport at Don Muang Wednesday, taking photos in remembrance of times past.
Don Muang airport ends more than 90 years service to the public Wednesday and officially will be reborn as Suvarnabhumi Airport Thursday at 3am (0300 hours).
It is the last day Don Muang International Airport will provide services, but passengers and tourists continue to count on the airport for inbound and outbound flights as normal--at least on Wednesday--.
Airline staff and the Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited, and others who just came to say good-bye, carried cameras to document the last hours and say farewell to a grand and gracious lady who has served millions of visitors to Thailand, and Thais departing for other destinations and destinies.
Despite the 40-year wait for the new airport, many appeared as if caught by surprise now that it is actually happening.
Many cameras were in evidence as a scramble for souvenir photos reflected an awareness that they--and the "we" of the rest of Thailand and its friends who will not see its welcoming smiles again--can no longer receive her services with a smile, because Don Muang will be open only for chartered planes and those on official duty.
Cargo services and domestic and overseas passenger flights will be officially transferred to Suvarnabhumi Airport at 3am (0300 hours) on Thursday.
However, there are still passengers at Don Muang International Airport Wednesday because it is normal working day.
Many airliners have adjusted schedules and reduced the number of flights in preparation for transferring their operations, making check-in counters less busy than usual.
Philip C. Laibee, a tourist from the United States, said what tourists will remember about Don Muang airport is the convenience they received at lower cost than other airports around the world.
What tourists expect from Suvarnabhumi Airport, Mr. Laibee said, is greater convenience they they had at Don Muang.
The American tourist said he was confident that more tourists would visit Thailand since Thai people are friendly and service costs are low.
Sureeporn Thonraya, a former employee at a duty-free shop in Don Muang International Airport, said she came to the airport Wednesday to remember the working environment where she spent so much time and to take away photos as memories.
"I'm shocked because I've been at the airport for 11 years," she said. "I'll go with my friends for a farewell party that Thai Airways International today."
TNA 2006-09-27
The only place were if have seen big man cry............
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
Bangkok's new airport heads for "soft" launch
Bangkok was sheduled to open its new 3.9 billion dollar international airport early Thursday with little fanfare, after last week's coup which ousted the project's main backer, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
"This will be a soft opening," said Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukpasuk, the deputy chief of Thailand's Council of Democratic Reform (CDR), the junta that seized power on September 19, ousting Thaksin and his cabinet.
Thaksin, a billionaire businessman known for his "can do" approach to governance, had strongly identified his administration with Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi Airport, that is scheduled to officially open at 1100 GMT am Thursday.
"The name Suvarnabhumi was given by the king, so we will need the king's attendance for the grand opening," Chalit told a press conference at the airport.
Nonetheless, Chalit insisted the airport was "100 per cent ready for operations."
Thai Airways International (THAI), the national carrier, will operate the last commercial flight out of Don Muang, Bangkok's 90-year-old airport heading for Shanghai.
It will be the first airline to land at Suvaranabhumi on Thursday, at 1205 GMT with flight TG 662 from New Delhi.
Suvarnabhumi, or "Golden Land," as Marco Polo named Southeast Asia in his famous travels, has cost Thailand 3.9 billion dollars to construct and has arguably been in the works since the early 1970s when the government purchased 3,238 hectares for it in eastern Bangkok.
Construction of Suvarnabhumi actually began about 10 years ago, although former premier Thaksin, who first came to power in 2001, arguably rushed the project through to completion.
Thaksin staged a "symbolic" opening of the new airport on September 29 last year to prove its "technical" readiness. Critics called the event a publicity stunt to meet Thaksin's previously set deadline for the project.
Thaksin set a new deadline for June this year, which has finally stretched to September 28, two weeks prior to a general election first scheduled for October 15. The election has been postponed until at least next October by the coup last week.
One of the reasons cited for the coup was mounting corruption. Suvarnabhumi has been the source of at least one major corruption scandal so far in the purchase of a security checking system for baggage.
The new airport, which handled 155 domestic flights on Wednesday, will need to service 813 flights on its first day of full operations on Thursday. Snafus are expected.
Both Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur experienced "teething problems" when they pushed the opening of their new airports.
When it opens, Suvarnabhumi Airport will have a capacity to serve 40 million passengers a year, or 110,000 passengers a day.
When a second phase is completed in an estimated three years, Suvarnabhumi is to be five times larger than Don Muang International Airport, making it one of the biggest airports in the world and firming up Bangkok's position as an aviation and tourism hub for the region.
Bangkok Post 2006-09-27
Bangkok was sheduled to open its new 3.9 billion dollar international airport early Thursday with little fanfare, after last week's coup which ousted the project's main backer, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
"This will be a soft opening," said Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukpasuk, the deputy chief of Thailand's Council of Democratic Reform (CDR), the junta that seized power on September 19, ousting Thaksin and his cabinet.
Thaksin, a billionaire businessman known for his "can do" approach to governance, had strongly identified his administration with Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi Airport, that is scheduled to officially open at 1100 GMT am Thursday.
"The name Suvarnabhumi was given by the king, so we will need the king's attendance for the grand opening," Chalit told a press conference at the airport.
Nonetheless, Chalit insisted the airport was "100 per cent ready for operations."
Thai Airways International (THAI), the national carrier, will operate the last commercial flight out of Don Muang, Bangkok's 90-year-old airport heading for Shanghai.
It will be the first airline to land at Suvaranabhumi on Thursday, at 1205 GMT with flight TG 662 from New Delhi.
Suvarnabhumi, or "Golden Land," as Marco Polo named Southeast Asia in his famous travels, has cost Thailand 3.9 billion dollars to construct and has arguably been in the works since the early 1970s when the government purchased 3,238 hectares for it in eastern Bangkok.
Construction of Suvarnabhumi actually began about 10 years ago, although former premier Thaksin, who first came to power in 2001, arguably rushed the project through to completion.
Thaksin staged a "symbolic" opening of the new airport on September 29 last year to prove its "technical" readiness. Critics called the event a publicity stunt to meet Thaksin's previously set deadline for the project.
Thaksin set a new deadline for June this year, which has finally stretched to September 28, two weeks prior to a general election first scheduled for October 15. The election has been postponed until at least next October by the coup last week.
One of the reasons cited for the coup was mounting corruption. Suvarnabhumi has been the source of at least one major corruption scandal so far in the purchase of a security checking system for baggage.
The new airport, which handled 155 domestic flights on Wednesday, will need to service 813 flights on its first day of full operations on Thursday. Snafus are expected.
Both Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur experienced "teething problems" when they pushed the opening of their new airports.
When it opens, Suvarnabhumi Airport will have a capacity to serve 40 million passengers a year, or 110,000 passengers a day.
When a second phase is completed in an estimated three years, Suvarnabhumi is to be five times larger than Don Muang International Airport, making it one of the biggest airports in the world and firming up Bangkok's position as an aviation and tourism hub for the region.
Bangkok Post 2006-09-27
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
Just listen to our noisy nightmare
As airport opens today, resident challenges director to pay a visit
Fifty-year-old Wanida Sanwanitchpattana wants to invite Suvarnabhumi Airport director Somchai Swasdipol to spend a night at her place. Free room and board, nice breakfast included.
Sound generous? Maybe, but Wanida has an ulterior motive.
"I want him to know what one jet plane after another diving down from the sky sounds like," said Wanida, whose two-storey home sits right next to the fence surrounding Suvarnabhumi Airport. "He said on TV that he has done his best to resolve all of the problems affecting the surrounding communities. I haven't seen the shadow of a single airport official since construction started."
To some people, the official opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport may bring with it a sense of relief or delight. To others, it might even be a dream come true. But to Wanida and thousands of other families living under the airport's flight path, the dawn opening will seem more like a nightmare.
Wanida had her first taste of deafening jet noise on September 15, when Thai Airways ran 12 domestic flights to and from Suvarnabhumi. People inside her house had to stop whatever conversations they were having. Phone calls were cut short, and TVs went mute.
Since that day, Wanida has not had a moment of peace because of the 20 or so flights that pass above her roof each day. From today onward, however, the Airports of Thailand expects to operate as many as 76 flights per hour.
"I learnt that my house is in the flight path [two weeks ago], after the soft opening [of the airport]. Nobody informed me before," she said.
Moo Baan Romreudee, where Wanida lives, is one of two housing estates that almost every aircraft has to fly over before landing. While many people have eagerly awaited the landing of Lufthansa freighter LH 8442, the very first flight to land at the new airport, marking the beginning of full-scale operations today, Wanida has dreaded the moment. After LH 8442, 649 more flights will land and take off from Suvarnabhumi Airport today.
"I really don't want the day to come," said Wanida. "Even these days, when the airport is not yet fully operational, I cannot sleep well because aircraft pass right over the roof of my house."
Adding insult to in jury, the heavy rains of the past few days have brought floodwaters right up to the doorsteps of many of the homes in the estate, including Wanida's. Until last year, flooding had never been a problem.
Wanida said that if possible, she wanted the Airports of Thailand (AOT) to expropriate her two-story house and 50 square wah of land, saying she could not bear to stay there much longer.
"If the AOT improved my house so that it could resist the noise, I doubt I would be able to afford the air conditioning bills because we would have to leave it on the whole day [because the windows would have to stay shut]," she said.
When The Nation visited this housing estate on Rom Klao Road on Tuesday, residents still had no idea who would be able to solve all the problems that had come with the new airport. Some point out last year, representatives of a consultant company visited to survey the communities surrounding the airport. That was the first and the last chance residents had to actually talk in person with someone representing the airport.
However, as Wanida pointed out, no one was able to report any problems because they had not experienced any at that stage. All the people could do was voice their concerns about the possibility of noise pollution.
The residents of the housing estate stood with their feet almost inundated by the floodwater that was gradually seeping from a waste-water drainage pipeline. Klong Sam Prawet, which runs near their community, has flooded all the roads it runs through.
Suradej Benjathikul, Wanida's neighbour, said this year was the second year that Romreudee housing estate had been flooded with water from Klong Sam Prawet. Suradej said the water flowed more quickly through the klong before the new airport was built.
Though construction on the airport began in 2002, it was not until late 2004 that the 20,000-rai Nong Ngu Hao swamp was fully reclaimed. Paijen Maksuwan, director of the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) which tried to build an irrigation system to prevent flooding around the airport, said that about 20,000 rai of flood-retention area had disappeared beneath Suvarnabhumi. The 78-metre-wide and 12-km-long irrigation canal will not be complete until mid-2008.
"During the construction period, the [flooding] situation could not be helped," he said.
The inauguration today of the new airport might strike some as a moment of national pride, but for the airport's neighbours, like Suradej and Wanida, today marks the day when their quality of life takes a nose-dive.
"Come back and let me know who can help us," Wanida said.
Pennapa Hongthong
The Nation 2006-09-28
As airport opens today, resident challenges director to pay a visit
Fifty-year-old Wanida Sanwanitchpattana wants to invite Suvarnabhumi Airport director Somchai Swasdipol to spend a night at her place. Free room and board, nice breakfast included.
Sound generous? Maybe, but Wanida has an ulterior motive.
"I want him to know what one jet plane after another diving down from the sky sounds like," said Wanida, whose two-storey home sits right next to the fence surrounding Suvarnabhumi Airport. "He said on TV that he has done his best to resolve all of the problems affecting the surrounding communities. I haven't seen the shadow of a single airport official since construction started."
To some people, the official opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport may bring with it a sense of relief or delight. To others, it might even be a dream come true. But to Wanida and thousands of other families living under the airport's flight path, the dawn opening will seem more like a nightmare.
Wanida had her first taste of deafening jet noise on September 15, when Thai Airways ran 12 domestic flights to and from Suvarnabhumi. People inside her house had to stop whatever conversations they were having. Phone calls were cut short, and TVs went mute.
Since that day, Wanida has not had a moment of peace because of the 20 or so flights that pass above her roof each day. From today onward, however, the Airports of Thailand expects to operate as many as 76 flights per hour.
"I learnt that my house is in the flight path [two weeks ago], after the soft opening [of the airport]. Nobody informed me before," she said.
Moo Baan Romreudee, where Wanida lives, is one of two housing estates that almost every aircraft has to fly over before landing. While many people have eagerly awaited the landing of Lufthansa freighter LH 8442, the very first flight to land at the new airport, marking the beginning of full-scale operations today, Wanida has dreaded the moment. After LH 8442, 649 more flights will land and take off from Suvarnabhumi Airport today.
"I really don't want the day to come," said Wanida. "Even these days, when the airport is not yet fully operational, I cannot sleep well because aircraft pass right over the roof of my house."
Adding insult to in jury, the heavy rains of the past few days have brought floodwaters right up to the doorsteps of many of the homes in the estate, including Wanida's. Until last year, flooding had never been a problem.
Wanida said that if possible, she wanted the Airports of Thailand (AOT) to expropriate her two-story house and 50 square wah of land, saying she could not bear to stay there much longer.
"If the AOT improved my house so that it could resist the noise, I doubt I would be able to afford the air conditioning bills because we would have to leave it on the whole day [because the windows would have to stay shut]," she said.
When The Nation visited this housing estate on Rom Klao Road on Tuesday, residents still had no idea who would be able to solve all the problems that had come with the new airport. Some point out last year, representatives of a consultant company visited to survey the communities surrounding the airport. That was the first and the last chance residents had to actually talk in person with someone representing the airport.
However, as Wanida pointed out, no one was able to report any problems because they had not experienced any at that stage. All the people could do was voice their concerns about the possibility of noise pollution.
The residents of the housing estate stood with their feet almost inundated by the floodwater that was gradually seeping from a waste-water drainage pipeline. Klong Sam Prawet, which runs near their community, has flooded all the roads it runs through.
Suradej Benjathikul, Wanida's neighbour, said this year was the second year that Romreudee housing estate had been flooded with water from Klong Sam Prawet. Suradej said the water flowed more quickly through the klong before the new airport was built.
Though construction on the airport began in 2002, it was not until late 2004 that the 20,000-rai Nong Ngu Hao swamp was fully reclaimed. Paijen Maksuwan, director of the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) which tried to build an irrigation system to prevent flooding around the airport, said that about 20,000 rai of flood-retention area had disappeared beneath Suvarnabhumi. The 78-metre-wide and 12-km-long irrigation canal will not be complete until mid-2008.
"During the construction period, the [flooding] situation could not be helped," he said.
The inauguration today of the new airport might strike some as a moment of national pride, but for the airport's neighbours, like Suradej and Wanida, today marks the day when their quality of life takes a nose-dive.
"Come back and let me know who can help us," Wanida said.
Pennapa Hongthong
The Nation 2006-09-28
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
Don Muang's future remains up in the air
Airport relegated to 'general aviation'
BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA
The bustling Bangkok International Airport is history today but authorities have no clear plan for its future, despite having had 44 years _ the time it's taken to create Suvarnabhumi _ to think of one. The 92-year-old airport known as Don Muang, the world's 18th busiest in terms of passenger traffic, for now will be relegated to ''general aviation'' uses such as chartered and VIP flights.
It is a far cry from the role Don Muang has served over the years _ processing around 40 million passengers last year, accommodating more than 60 flights per hour, serving as a port of call for 90 international carriers, handling millions of tonnes of cargo and mail and offering extensive airline support infrastructures.
Chotisak Asapaviriya, the president of Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT), yesterday conceded to the Bangkok Post that authorities had only a general idea how to make use of Don Muang and still needed to map out a definite utilisation plan.
There were vague ideas to turn the three passenger terminals at Don Muang, with a combined space of 322,067 square metres, into a trade and exhibition centre, a shopping mall or even a bus terminal.
Mr Chotisak said studies were under way and that AoT would attend to matters, probably a few weeks from now after ensuring that Suvarnabhumi Airport was up and running smoothly.
''Don't worry, we will not leave Don Muang to waste,'' he said, adding that there were several possible important roles for it to play.
''We could turn it into a jet overhaul centre in possible co-operation with the world's two major plane makers, Boeing and Airbus, as well as a hub for private jets and a venue for staging air shows.''
However, Thai Airways International will continue to maintain its aircraft maintenance facilities at Don Muang, including a hangar in which two Boeing 747 jumbo jets and a smaller Boeing 737 can be serviced together, and another small hangar that can serve one A300-600 jet.
Mr Chotisak also pointed out that the number of chartered flights in Thailand was substantial and had potential to grow, particularly in the high tourism season when operators from Europe and Russia brought vacationers to the kingdom.
Among the most valued assets at Don Muang were its two runways _ 3,700m and 3,500m long _ as well as 23 taxiways and parking stands for 95 aircraft, he added.
Aviation experts earlier suggested there were opportunities for Thailand to build an integrated aerospace industry using the Don Muang infrastructure, and to use it for other aviation-related businesses.
Don Muang, they said, would provide a good platform for the country to develop comprehensive facilities for aircraft repair, maintenance and refurbishment.
These business activities are of much higher value than merely renting space for trade shows or collecting fees for charter flights, and would also make a much more meaningful and sustainable contribution to national economic development.
With a relatively cheap but skilled workforce, the kingdom could develop the capability to serve the world's aviation industry, competing with Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.
They pointed out that Thailand's own fledgling airline sector, with more than 100 jets in operation, was already big enough to support a world-class industry.
Some of these carriers still have to send their aircraft abroad for periodic maintenance checks. For example, a ''C check'', performed every 18 months for a B747, costs at least $600,000 to $700,000 and could be conducted locally.
The fast-growing air-travel industry in Asia, especially in China and India, presented a vast opportunity for Thailand to develop an aerospace supporting industry, they concluded.
Bangkok Post 2006-09-28
Airport relegated to 'general aviation'
BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA
The bustling Bangkok International Airport is history today but authorities have no clear plan for its future, despite having had 44 years _ the time it's taken to create Suvarnabhumi _ to think of one. The 92-year-old airport known as Don Muang, the world's 18th busiest in terms of passenger traffic, for now will be relegated to ''general aviation'' uses such as chartered and VIP flights.
It is a far cry from the role Don Muang has served over the years _ processing around 40 million passengers last year, accommodating more than 60 flights per hour, serving as a port of call for 90 international carriers, handling millions of tonnes of cargo and mail and offering extensive airline support infrastructures.
Chotisak Asapaviriya, the president of Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT), yesterday conceded to the Bangkok Post that authorities had only a general idea how to make use of Don Muang and still needed to map out a definite utilisation plan.
There were vague ideas to turn the three passenger terminals at Don Muang, with a combined space of 322,067 square metres, into a trade and exhibition centre, a shopping mall or even a bus terminal.
Mr Chotisak said studies were under way and that AoT would attend to matters, probably a few weeks from now after ensuring that Suvarnabhumi Airport was up and running smoothly.
''Don't worry, we will not leave Don Muang to waste,'' he said, adding that there were several possible important roles for it to play.
''We could turn it into a jet overhaul centre in possible co-operation with the world's two major plane makers, Boeing and Airbus, as well as a hub for private jets and a venue for staging air shows.''
However, Thai Airways International will continue to maintain its aircraft maintenance facilities at Don Muang, including a hangar in which two Boeing 747 jumbo jets and a smaller Boeing 737 can be serviced together, and another small hangar that can serve one A300-600 jet.
Mr Chotisak also pointed out that the number of chartered flights in Thailand was substantial and had potential to grow, particularly in the high tourism season when operators from Europe and Russia brought vacationers to the kingdom.
Among the most valued assets at Don Muang were its two runways _ 3,700m and 3,500m long _ as well as 23 taxiways and parking stands for 95 aircraft, he added.
Aviation experts earlier suggested there were opportunities for Thailand to build an integrated aerospace industry using the Don Muang infrastructure, and to use it for other aviation-related businesses.
Don Muang, they said, would provide a good platform for the country to develop comprehensive facilities for aircraft repair, maintenance and refurbishment.
These business activities are of much higher value than merely renting space for trade shows or collecting fees for charter flights, and would also make a much more meaningful and sustainable contribution to national economic development.
With a relatively cheap but skilled workforce, the kingdom could develop the capability to serve the world's aviation industry, competing with Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.
They pointed out that Thailand's own fledgling airline sector, with more than 100 jets in operation, was already big enough to support a world-class industry.
Some of these carriers still have to send their aircraft abroad for periodic maintenance checks. For example, a ''C check'', performed every 18 months for a B747, costs at least $600,000 to $700,000 and could be conducted locally.
The fast-growing air-travel industry in Asia, especially in China and India, presented a vast opportunity for Thailand to develop an aerospace supporting industry, they concluded.
Bangkok Post 2006-09-28
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
Computer glitches mar Suvarnabhumi inauguration
Passengers at Bangkok's new international airport Thursday faced delays in collecting their bags and checking in on the first full day of operations because of computer and mechanical glitches.
Thousands of passengers arriving on the first flights had to wait one hour to collect their bags as equipment was slow in arriving from the old airport, which closed during the night.
"The delay was caused by the delay of moving Thai Airways ground handling equipment from the old airport to the new one," said Chotisak Asapaviriya, president of Airports of Thailand, which operates the facility.
"It's just a minor error, and it will be the only one. We will never let this happen again," he said.
But at Thai Airways check-in counters, computers crashed before the first flights out of the new Suvarnabhumi Airport, causing delays as airline workers had to issue handwritten boarding passes and baggage claim tags.
That left long lines, but many passengers seemed prepared for delays on the first full day of operations, when some 800 flights will fly through.
"Today is the first day, so we don't expect anything to go well," said Paul Millar, a 46-year-old Briton who works in Bangkok.
"Fortunately we arrived early just in case," he said.
The first commercial flight that landed at new airport following its official opening was Russian Airlines' V V171 from Kiev, which landed at 4:25 am, which was ten minutes behind schedule due to poor visibility.
Airport officials, who were waiting for the first group of passengers, gave them applause and some souvenirs.
But before the official opening, three cargoes flights of Untied Airlines and Northwest Airlines landed at the airport at about 11 pm Wednesday night.
During Suvarnabhumi Airport's soft opening on September 15y, an airport official pulled down the wrong power breaker, causing a blackout that caused a half-hour delay in the first commercial flight from this shiny facility.
Then caretaker Transport Minister Pongsak Ruktapongpisal immediately instructed Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) to take legal and harsh action against the official.
Instead of taking off at the scheduled time of 6.30am, the first flight - THAI flight TG8860 - departed for Phitsanulok 30 minutes late.
Agence France-Presse, The Nation 2006-09-28
Passengers at Bangkok's new international airport Thursday faced delays in collecting their bags and checking in on the first full day of operations because of computer and mechanical glitches.
Thousands of passengers arriving on the first flights had to wait one hour to collect their bags as equipment was slow in arriving from the old airport, which closed during the night.
"The delay was caused by the delay of moving Thai Airways ground handling equipment from the old airport to the new one," said Chotisak Asapaviriya, president of Airports of Thailand, which operates the facility.
"It's just a minor error, and it will be the only one. We will never let this happen again," he said.
But at Thai Airways check-in counters, computers crashed before the first flights out of the new Suvarnabhumi Airport, causing delays as airline workers had to issue handwritten boarding passes and baggage claim tags.
That left long lines, but many passengers seemed prepared for delays on the first full day of operations, when some 800 flights will fly through.
"Today is the first day, so we don't expect anything to go well," said Paul Millar, a 46-year-old Briton who works in Bangkok.
"Fortunately we arrived early just in case," he said.
The first commercial flight that landed at new airport following its official opening was Russian Airlines' V V171 from Kiev, which landed at 4:25 am, which was ten minutes behind schedule due to poor visibility.
Airport officials, who were waiting for the first group of passengers, gave them applause and some souvenirs.
But before the official opening, three cargoes flights of Untied Airlines and Northwest Airlines landed at the airport at about 11 pm Wednesday night.
During Suvarnabhumi Airport's soft opening on September 15y, an airport official pulled down the wrong power breaker, causing a blackout that caused a half-hour delay in the first commercial flight from this shiny facility.
Then caretaker Transport Minister Pongsak Ruktapongpisal immediately instructed Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) to take legal and harsh action against the official.
Instead of taking off at the scheduled time of 6.30am, the first flight - THAI flight TG8860 - departed for Phitsanulok 30 minutes late.
Agence France-Presse, The Nation 2006-09-28
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
Not stealing your thunder, Khun Bas. Below is important, as the baggage sorting/delivery problem is not MINOR as they say. I think we'll be seeing more about this in days to come. When the new Denver USA airport opened years ago, they finally ended up tearing out the entire system and replacing it..as I recall. Pete 
______________________
Bangkok's new airport open for business
Bangkok's sleek new international airport officially opened against the backdrop of last week's coup, recording more than 100,000 passengers and a few gremlins in the system.
Most international visitors were impressed with the glitzy, three-billion-dollar Suvarnabhumi airport, set to be Southeast Asia's busiest -- but were less happy with luggage delays lasting hours.
One group of about 200 South Korean passengers staged an impromptu protest around sunset, having waited for their baggage for four hours. The problem spread to dozens of the more than 800 flights at the airport on its first day.
Hundreds of plain-clothes soldiers, deployed to the airport for the next three months, had to help out, shifting thousands of suitcases onto conveyor belts to ease bottlenecks and try to speedup the system.
National carrier Thai Airways issued a public apology to hundreds of disgruntled customers, promising to deliver luggage to passengers' homes and hotels "as soon as possible."
Airport officials had earlier downplayed the problem.
"It's just a minor error, and it will be the only one," said Chotisak Asapaviriya, president of Airports of Thailand, which operates the facility.
"We will never let this happen again."
The Transport Ministry's permanent secretary, Wanchai Sarathulthat, said: "We can say the transfer from (the old airport) Don Muang to Suvarnabhumi was a success, even though we had a few problems."
Suvarnabhumi airport, a pet project of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, opened at 3am (2000 GMT) under Thailand's new military government with the unglamorous pre-dawn landing of a cargo flight from Germany.
The airport, located 25 kilometres (15 miles) east of Bangkok, replaced the creaking Don Muang, which had handled about 37 million passengers per year -- two million more than it was designed for.
The new airport, an airy, futuristic structure designed by German architect Helmut Jahn, boasts an oval-shaped concourse, energy-efficient climate control and several superlatives in airport construction.
Thai authorities boast it has the world's largest terminal building under one continuous roof at more than 560,000 square metres. The 132-metre (433 feet) control tower is the world's tallest.
"It's very clean, and it's very welcoming to foreigners," said Parmjeet Singh, a 40-year-old New Zealander who arrived in the morning with his wife and their three children. "It gives a good impression of Thailand."
Suvarnabhumi, which means "Golden Land" in Thai, has an annual passenger capacity of 45 million to become Southeast Asia's largest aviation hub.
More than 800 flights with 120,000 passengers were due to pass through the airport on the first day.
Apart from technical glitches, the airport had a minor roof leak with TV stations showing water dripping into a plastic bucket.
The airport has been under development for more than 40 years and suffered repeated delays due to construction problems and graft allegations.
Built on drained wetlands called the "Cobra Swamp," the airport has been dogged by controversy, with some politicians and friends accused of buying up land in advance to sell it at huge profits.
Over the years there have also been cracks in the runways, claims of irregularities in the purchase of bomb scanners and complaints that rail links to central Bangkok will not be ready until November next year.
Thailand is hoping the airport will boost the kingdom's 12-billion-dollar a year tourism industry, opening at the start of the peak tourist season.
Industry officials however have voiced concern that some of the 14 million visitors expected this year might delay their travel plans, scared off by last week's coup, Thailand's first in 15 years.
______________________
Bangkok's new airport open for business
Bangkok's sleek new international airport officially opened against the backdrop of last week's coup, recording more than 100,000 passengers and a few gremlins in the system.
Most international visitors were impressed with the glitzy, three-billion-dollar Suvarnabhumi airport, set to be Southeast Asia's busiest -- but were less happy with luggage delays lasting hours.
One group of about 200 South Korean passengers staged an impromptu protest around sunset, having waited for their baggage for four hours. The problem spread to dozens of the more than 800 flights at the airport on its first day.
Hundreds of plain-clothes soldiers, deployed to the airport for the next three months, had to help out, shifting thousands of suitcases onto conveyor belts to ease bottlenecks and try to speedup the system.
National carrier Thai Airways issued a public apology to hundreds of disgruntled customers, promising to deliver luggage to passengers' homes and hotels "as soon as possible."
Airport officials had earlier downplayed the problem.
"It's just a minor error, and it will be the only one," said Chotisak Asapaviriya, president of Airports of Thailand, which operates the facility.
"We will never let this happen again."
The Transport Ministry's permanent secretary, Wanchai Sarathulthat, said: "We can say the transfer from (the old airport) Don Muang to Suvarnabhumi was a success, even though we had a few problems."
Suvarnabhumi airport, a pet project of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, opened at 3am (2000 GMT) under Thailand's new military government with the unglamorous pre-dawn landing of a cargo flight from Germany.
The airport, located 25 kilometres (15 miles) east of Bangkok, replaced the creaking Don Muang, which had handled about 37 million passengers per year -- two million more than it was designed for.
The new airport, an airy, futuristic structure designed by German architect Helmut Jahn, boasts an oval-shaped concourse, energy-efficient climate control and several superlatives in airport construction.
Thai authorities boast it has the world's largest terminal building under one continuous roof at more than 560,000 square metres. The 132-metre (433 feet) control tower is the world's tallest.
"It's very clean, and it's very welcoming to foreigners," said Parmjeet Singh, a 40-year-old New Zealander who arrived in the morning with his wife and their three children. "It gives a good impression of Thailand."
Suvarnabhumi, which means "Golden Land" in Thai, has an annual passenger capacity of 45 million to become Southeast Asia's largest aviation hub.
More than 800 flights with 120,000 passengers were due to pass through the airport on the first day.
Apart from technical glitches, the airport had a minor roof leak with TV stations showing water dripping into a plastic bucket.
The airport has been under development for more than 40 years and suffered repeated delays due to construction problems and graft allegations.
Built on drained wetlands called the "Cobra Swamp," the airport has been dogged by controversy, with some politicians and friends accused of buying up land in advance to sell it at huge profits.
Over the years there have also been cracks in the runways, claims of irregularities in the purchase of bomb scanners and complaints that rail links to central Bangkok will not be ready until November next year.
Thailand is hoping the airport will boost the kingdom's 12-billion-dollar a year tourism industry, opening at the start of the peak tourist season.
Industry officials however have voiced concern that some of the 14 million visitors expected this year might delay their travel plans, scared off by last week's coup, Thailand's first in 15 years.