Power Blackouts New Airport For Half-hour

[george]

Blackout mars soft launch

SUVARNABHUMI: -- During Suvarnabhumi Airport's soft opening yesterday, an unnamed 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.

Caretaker Transport Minister Pongsak Ruktapongpisal immediately instructed Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) to take legal and harsh action against the official, whom he said might have intended to shake up national security, even though airport director Somchai Sawasdipol said that the official had simply made a mistake.

Police are already working on the case, in a bid to determine whether the official in question intended to cause the disruption.

"We are urgently investigating the case," said Provincial Police Region 1 deputy commissioner Maj-General Yongyuth Tiewtrakoon.

Somchai reported that the official in question said he pulled down the wrong power breaker when he meant to switch off some air-conditioners.

"We knew about the power glitch from 1am but could not fix it in time, because many officials were still working at Don Muang Airport. On September 28, when this new airport starts full service, it will be a different scenario, because we're going to have officials all round the facility," Somchai said.

Instead of taking off at the scheduled time of 6.30am, the first flight - Thai Airways (THAI) flight TG8860 - departed for Phitsanulok 30 minutes late.

Pongsak suspected people with malicious intent were behind the power glitch.

"Power blackouts took place at three spots inside the airport. It's clear someone wanted to threaten national security, which could in turn have threatened the safety of the passengers," he said.

Pongsak said it was hard to believe someone could have mistaken a power breaker for an air-conditioner switch.

"They are not similar types of equipment. Anyway, why do you want to turn off an air conditioner at 1am?" he said.

The caretaker transport minister said he had also ordered security to be beefed up at the new airport.

"We're also adding security measures ahead of the full launch of the new airport on September 28," Pongsak said.

Flight TG8860 had 83 passengers, who received handwritten boarding passes from THAI staff trying to provide services during the hiccup.

AOT president Chotisak Asapaviriya said the incident proved Suvarnabhumi Airport was highly efficient in swiftly coping with unexpected situations.

"Passengers were boarded without much delay," he said.

However, Transport Ministry Permanent Secretary and THAI chairman Wanchai Sarathulthat was not impressed.

"We have repeatedly warned AOT about the power system, and yet this still happened," he said.

Wanchai said the power system was very important for an airport, because it affected not only the check-in system, but also the entire facility.

He said THAI's participation in the airport's soft launch, ahead of full services from September 28, was to check the readiness of the new airport.

"If there are any unexpected incidents, we have alternate plans to handle the situation. Our staff are prepared and ready," he said.

Despite the power glitch, most passengers on the first commercial flight from Suvarnabhumi Airport were satisfied. "I am so excited to be a part of this historic flight," said Japanese tourist Miki Hiraoka.

Many passengers were happy with new airport, which replacing the old international airport in Bangkok's Don Muang district.

Among other passengers, Chokechai Nattawattana, chief of Phitsanulok's prison, said he was proud of the new airport, while former MP Mayura Manasikan called Suvarnabhumi Airport both beautiful and grand.

-- The Nation 2006-09-16

[nostrel]

i would have expected such a power switch to be controlled by the Building management software system under the control of the airports electrical engineer. not switchable by some irk who happens to turn it off. scary indeed.

[cclub75]

Pongsak suspected people with malicious intent were behind the power glitch.

"Power blackouts took place at three spots inside the airport. It's clear someone wanted to threaten national security, which could in turn have threatened the safety of the passengers," he said.

My god... Help us... This guy is completly insane and lunatic !

That's horrific to be such a stupid grandiloquent megalomaniac "thai minister".

[IMA_FARANG]

Blackout mars soft launch

SUVARNABHUMI: -- During Suvarnabhumi Airport's soft opening yesterday, an unnamed 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.

Caretaker Transport Minister Pongsak Ruktapongpisal immediately instructed Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) to take legal and harsh action against the official, whom he said might have intended to shake up national security, even though airport director Somchai Sawasdipol said that the official had simply made a mistake.

Police are already working on the case, in a bid to determine whether the official in question intended to cause the disruption.

"We are urgently investigating the case," said Provincial Police Region 1 deputy commissioner Maj-General Yongyuth Tiewtrakoon.

Somchai reported that the official in question said he pulled down the wrong power breaker when he meant to switch off some air-conditioners.

"We knew about the power glitch from 1am but could not fix it in time, because many officials were still working at Don Muang Airport. On September 28, when this new airport starts full service, it will be a different scenario, because we're going to have officials all round the facility," Somchai said.

Instead of taking off at the scheduled time of 6.30am, the first flight - Thai Airways (THAI) flight TG8860 - departed for Phitsanulok 30 minutes late.

Pongsak suspected people with malicious intent were behind the power glitch.

"Power blackouts took place at three spots inside the airport. It's clear someone wanted to threaten national security, which could in turn have threatened the safety of the passengers," he said.

Pongsak said it was hard to believe someone could have mistaken a power breaker for an air-conditioner switch.

"They are not similar types of equipment. Anyway, why do you want to turn off an air conditioner at 1am?" he said.

The caretaker transport minister said he had also ordered security to be beefed up at the new airport.

"We're also adding security measures ahead of the full launch of the new airport on September 28," Pongsak said.

Flight TG8860 had 83 passengers, who received handwritten boarding passes from THAI staff trying to provide services during the hiccup.

AOT president Chotisak Asapaviriya said the incident proved Suvarnabhumi Airport was highly efficient in swiftly coping with unexpected situations.

"Passengers were boarded without much delay," he said.

However, Transport Ministry Permanent Secretary and THAI chairman Wanchai Sarathulthat was not impressed.

"We have repeatedly warned AOT about the power system, and yet this still happened," he said.

Wanchai said the power system was very important for an airport, because it affected not only the check-in system, but also the entire facility.

He said THAI's participation in the airport's soft launch, ahead of full services from September 28, was to check the readiness of the new airport.

"If there are any unexpected incidents, we have alternate plans to handle the situation. Our staff are prepared and ready," he said.

Despite the power glitch, most passengers on the first commercial flight from Suvarnabhumi Airport were satisfied. "I am so excited to be a part of this historic flight," said Japanese tourist Miki Hiraoka.

Many passengers were happy with new airport, which replacing the old international airport in Bangkok's Don Muang district.

Among other passengers, Chokechai Nattawattana, chief of Phitsanulok's prison, said he was proud of the new airport, while former MP Mayura Manasikan called Suvarnabhumi Airport both beautiful and grand.

-- The Nation 2006-09-16

My God! I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Proof once again that all "fool-proof" systems are never a match for the innate stupidity of fools.

It seems like only a week or so back that I was reading some oficial explaining why the new airport would NEVER have power failures.

As the song goes....Chicka boom, Chicka boom, don't you just love it.

[britmaveric]

Uh oh - power blackouts at the airport they claimed would never have any??? This is extremely worrisome.

[johnh101]

Caretaker Transport Minister Pongsak Ruktapongpisal immediately instructed Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) to take legal and harsh action against the official, whom he said might have intended to shake up national security, even though airport director Somchai Sawasdipol said that the official had simply made a mistake.

What a forkin power crazy pratt !

[Jai Dee]

A still taken with a security camera at Suvarnabhumi Airport shows an unidentified airport official, who allegedly switched off the wrong power breaker and caused a serious hiccup during the airport’s ‘soft opening’ yesterday.

Source: The Nation - 16 September 2006

[Ricardo]

Pongsak suspected people with malicious intent were behind the power glitch.

"Power blackouts took place at three spots inside the airport. It's clear someone wanted to threaten national security, which could in turn have threatened the safety of the passengers," he said.

My god... Help us... This guy is completly insane and lunatic !

That's horrific to be such a stupid grandiloquent megalomaniac "thai minister".

This was clearly an assassination-attempt by the notorious criminals the PAD, against DL and TRT, call-in the police (the army not being regarded as quite so under-our-control as-yet).

Lucky it wasn't the switch, for the main runway-lights, with an A380 on final-approach and another about start its take-off roll.

I wonder whether it might be possible - to fix labels on switches - saying what they do ? This suggestion being an attempt to avoid being seen as 'constantly complaining', or told to 'go back home'.

[zink]

In case somebody forgot: "Suvarnabhumi Airport Will Always Have Electricity", http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=82408

There is also thread called: "Suvarnabhumi Airport Will Never Be Flooded"

[cclub75]

A still taken with a security camera at Suvarnabhumi Airport shows an unidentified airport official, who allegedly switched off the wrong power breaker and caused a serious hiccup during the airport’s ‘soft opening’ yesterday.

Indeed. This guy looks seriously like a muslim terrorist. That's a lead that we should investigate...

By the way, I like the expression "official". Why they didn't say : "a poor employee who was trying to do his best working at 1 AM, tired of running toward the official opening date" ?

[salween]

Sabotage suspected in airport power cuts

Bangkok Post, Saturday, September 16

...

I’m sure the Tourism Authority can’t be too pleased with such headlines. I would think the flying public will be a lot less concerned about a bit of switch confusion over sabotage.

Kind of surprised they were so quick to focus on that, even if there was evidence. Certainly don’t want to potentially scare folks off unnecessarily.

12 days to go.

[cclub75]

I’m sure the Tourism Authority can’t be too pleased with such headlines. I would think the flying public will be a lot less concerned about a bit of switch confusion over sabotage.

Kind of surprised they were so quick to focus on that, even if there was evidence. Certainly don’t want to potentially scare folks off unnecessarily.

Right... But think about it : it would make the perfect "thai-cover-it's-not-my-fault" if the opening is not as smooth as thai silk.

"Due to threats to national security, we have decided to postpone the opening, while our courageous police will investigate the case, defuse the plot, find the culprits and bring them to justice".

Reminds me the "bomb plot" against Thaksin. And incidendly : the fire of the Reichstag.

Ah ah ah

[AlexLah]

Quote: switched off the wrong power breaker

No no no noooooo, it was correct switch, same I have at home, label was wrong.

Because switch installed by farang and they do not understand how to do switch.

[george]

Tighter access control at Suvarnabhumi Airport after system crash

BANGKOK, Sept 17 (TNA) - Caretaker Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal ordered a reorganization of access to key operation areas within Suvarnabhumi Airport to prevent any further possible human errors.

The order comes days after an airport employee switched off power to vital computer systems that caused a delay to Thai Airways International flight TG 8860 from Bangkok to Phitsanulok, which was Suvarnabhumi’s first commercial flight during its soft opening on September 15.

Pongsak held a meeting Sunday with Airports of Thailand Plc. (AOT) senior executives, who were led by Suvarnabhumi Airport General Manager Somchai Sawasdeepon.

In light of the power supply incident, officials concluded that tighter access restrictions be applied to areas vital to airport operations.

Areas coming under greater control include locations regulating power supply, and mechanical and central control rooms for facilities such as elevators and escalators.

The AOT has appointed teams to closely monitor these areas in order to ensure airport efficiency and safety.

In addition to facilities inside the passenger terminal, airport employees will also constantly monitor and report activities in other key areas, like the cargo and warehouse zones.

--TNA 2006-09-17

[salween]

Tighter access control at Suvarnabhumi Airport after system crash

BANGKOK, Sept 17 (TNA) - Caretaker Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal ordered a reorganization of access to key operation areas within Suvarnabhumi Airport to prevent any further possible human errors.

...

So is that the official line now, "human error"?

[khunlungphudhu]

At last some light shed upon why the 'air' is never ever adjusted or turned off in Thailand's public places!

kaojailaow!

[cclub75]

Ah Ah Ah another version, with the unstoppable Ponsak as guest star.

So now, we learn that the power cut has affected a "vital computer system".

Furthermore, he didn't use the word "sabotage" again (yesterday he did).

And this incident has created a complete review of security.

"officials concluded that tighter access restrictions be applied to areas vital to airport operations".

It's getting better and better. Until 28, and with the first flights, I believe we are going to have a fireworks, a flooooood of funny statements, fuzzy informations, dazzy datas and other buzzy bozzy officials with lazzy attitude.

zzzzzzzzzzzz.....

[cclub75]

So is that the official line now, "human error"?

Yes.

Yesterday : it was "sabotage" (on a philosophical level, we could argue that a "sabotage" is always a kind of "human error". Anyway).

Tomorrow, following the attacks in the South, it will be "terrorism".

Then tuesday... let's say... "collective mistake, we apologize"

Thursday (wednesday nothing, because the case will be still under investigation) : so thursday : "Budha help us. There is a ghost in the airport, or inside the control room. We are going to charter leo leo dozen of monks to assess the threat and take care of this malign spirit".

Ad nauseum.

And after the 28, if really things start to get uggly, "sabotage" and "terrorism" will take the lead again.

Pongsak is a bozo. During the last year, he had constantly won the gold medal of stupidity and the silver medal for "entertainement with funny statements".

Remember the "mega projects" with 54245354 kilometers (at least) of train, BTS, train with wings, train underground, train to the moon... everything for a mere fare of 15 THB. Please allow 2 years to achieve the construction.

And remember the comedy since the "first" opening of the airport in september 2005...

Now, it's time for the "Grand Finale" !

More seriously : we know that multiples problems will arise after 28. It's a technical truth -and has nothing to do with Thailand.

But what has to do with Thailand, is that we will see Pongsak in first line to explain everything, day after day...

And this is going to be pure joyce and happiness.

[Khun Jean]

I would call it a 'serious design error'. And there are probably more.

Scary indeed.

IF someone wants to 'hit' the airport, now they know how it can be done.

It should be impossible for some to flip a switch that important.

[cclub75]

From Bangkok Post tonight.

Airport security boosted nationwide

In the wake of the Hat Yai bombings and Friday’s power outage at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal has ordered increased security at airports across Thailand.

The announcement came after a meeting between the minister, Suvarnabhumi Airport security officials and police officers. Particular attention was given to Suvarnabhumi Airport with its opening scheduled for Sept 28.

I told you : they start to make a link :

-power cut

-sabotage

-bombs in the south

-Airport security boosted nationwide

Wait 28. They will postpone the opening, due to "terrorists threats"....

[Rinrada]

Get someone down to the Long Gun quick and borrow some of their candles.......10 days to go..

[Maestro]

Get someone down to the Long Gun quick and borrow some of their candles.......10 days to go..

...and 12 days until you are scheduled to land, fortunately during daytime: no candles needed to mark the runway

---------------

Maestro

[Rinrada]

Get someone down to the Long Gun quick and borrow some of their candles.......10 days to go..

...and 12 days until you are scheduled to land, fortunately during daytime: no candles needed to mark the runway

---------------

Maestro

Yep..agree assuming no delays like...

this is TG flying office kite landing with important passengers from London on almost first flight into Suwanna International...er where do we land? ...cant see the chalk markings on the runways...SAID....cant see the .............Wot do you mean its been raining