nikmcg

Made a suggestion about this many months back.

1/ Should complete the partly built sky train to Don Muang.

2/ Turn the biggest unused building into a market like an indoor jata-jak.

3/ Another big building could be a mall/supermarket.

4/ Revamp all the other unused buildings as rental or for sale rooms and condos, in a range from basic to luxuary.

5/ Make all other unused space into parking.

Should be returning a good profit in a few years.

I have often wondered why when Don Muang could have been expanded it was necessary to build a whole new airport? That said London has two large International airports, Heathrow and Gatwick which work very well together.

Perhaps they could run Charter flights, budget airlines and shorter haul traffic out of Don Muang.

Having been following this story on Thaivisa it went through my mind yesterday when I had to use the airport. I have been approached in the past but chosen to make my own taxi arrangements via the AOT desk just outside the main exit. Yesterday I was only asked once if I needed a taxi. An improvement I would say. Only complaint would be the price of getting anything to eat or drink in the only cafe near the departure gates. 200 baht for a sandwich and 80 baht for a can of Pepsi.

No doubt I'll be alone in suggesting that Thai Airways as the National carrier have done the right thing by sticking with the new airport, so long as necessary repairs are carried out. As the man said they're committed to providing a service to Star Alliance passengers and the new airport is the Thai Airways hub.

We have seen examples of construction issues where massive projects are undertaken here in the UK, not good but these things happen.

I'm sure that Thai Airways have thought about this and their considerable investment in the project, and wouldn't make a decision based on "Ego" if it meant they'd be compromising passenger safety.

It would also be a major pain to have to get accross to the Don Muang airport just to take a short internal flight with them if you'd flown in with another long haul carrier. They must have thought of that also.

Having arrived rather too early for my International flight back to the UK I had a good chance to look around at the much criticised new airport. I thought the facilities were pretty good, duty free shopping was very impressive although the pokey little smoking rooms were nasty, nothing new in that though.

Great News

Thailand should not be hiring native speaking English teachers. They should be using Thai teacher and people who speak English fluently as a second language.

The reason for this is that many native English speakers do not know the rules of the language - as they have never been "taught" english formally.

You were taking the p--- surely?

All this other nonsense about "Must have a degree" Rubbish!

I studied Media, it has sod all to do with English, albeit the course was in that language.

Anyone with a tip top useful degree is almost certainly going to want to work somewhere with good pay and future prospects. Normally the reason for studying for one in the first place. Therefore unlikely to want to stay teaching in Thailand for any long length of time!

Excluding a degree in English, the only courses and qualifications relevent to teaching English are the TEFL ones. Again why they were invented.

The Briton, Peter Watkinjones, 40, was accused of leading a multinational mafia gang which bribed land officials to gain access to public land on the island for sale to foreigners.

the seven were suspected of using influence to pressure local businesses and people to sell business and land to them and they paid bribe to land officials to use land documents elsewhere to forge ownership of public land on the island and sold them to foreigners at steep prices.

Is it possible that this kind of activity is exactly what has encouraged the authorities to look more closely at the forming of Thai companies as a way to acquire land and the sorts of people wishing to come to Thailand? Can't say I blame them.

Nothing wrong with foreigners wishing to own holiday homes in Thailand, I guess in one way it helps the Thai economy, jobs in construction etc. Downside of a boom though is you end up pricing out the locals and that could cause resentment.

Also what's so bad about the authorities wanting to know a little about the folks doing the buying? Makes sense I think.

Could any of you tell me why Bangkok needed another International Airport anyway?

I thought the existing one was pretty huge, and that if necessary could have been expanded for less money than this new one is costing.

I only ask the question as it appears the authorities don't seem to know exactly what the plans are for the current airport once this new one opens.

This decision seems to me to be entirely weird at a time when Thailand is struggling to attract visitors post the Tsunami.

Surely it sends the wrong message to foreigners even though we all know there's a "Thai Price" for everything and another for the rest of us It's normally something you find out quickly after you arrive!

I understand and have some sympathy with what is being said with regard to the emergency powers being suggested by the Thai govt. However these hopefully will only be short term measures.

Similar emergency powers are being discussed in Britain following the recent tube bombings. It is most likely these extra anti terrorist laws will be in place before the end of this year.

Perhaps if they had been in place prior to the bombings, maybe they could have been prevented? What is known is that an individual with known links to Al Queda was allowed to enter Britain through a ferry port, two weeks prior to the bombings and that this person left just one day before they took place.

My point is that whilst none of us like to see our cival liberties being infringed, surely a government has a duty to offer safety and security to its law abiding citizens, and that in an emergency situation this must surely take priority

Thailands' prime minister does seem largely to be unpopular with the Thai Visa forum members, but Thai people I speak to think he's doing a good job for them under difficult circumstances. Unrest in the South, Bird Flu, Tsunami, Oil Prices.

I was hoping that with the governments' offer of increased funding for education and job creation in the South, that this may help to ease tensions. Given the demands of a small minority of extremists seeking independence from Thailand this is unlikely.

It seems to me that the only peaceful solution is for the Thai govt to offer inclusion to those who feel excluded as the British govt had to do in N Ireland. Tensions clearly remain there but progress has been made.

Is it just me, or do The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) perhaps not have enough to do at the moment. They'll be telling us that fags are bad for us next!

I was horrified when I read the original story on Thai Visa. I just cannot understand the Thai authorities allowing this man back into the Country. Overstaying by 3 years should carry a stiffer penalty as it shows a complete lack of respect for Thailands' laws.

As for his deliberate offences to Thai women, assuming this is true? Surely he could be prevented from re-entering Thailand.

If Thailand can ban drug smugglers and child pornographers, why NOT this headcase!

Thanks Thailand, one less layabout to worry about feeding in the U.K!

I can respect the sceptical view that the authorities may have a vested interest in proposing this radical change.

Is it all possible that maybe they are attempting to improve the image of Thailand as more than just a Bar, Nightclub, Sex holiday destination. Unfortunately the reputation the Country seems to have overseas. Perhaps long term a limit on the number of these outlets won't be a bad thing.

Thailand has so much more to offer the tourist and its' residents deserve better.

Can anyone remember when Ibiza was anything more than just a Club 18-30 holiday destination for drunken idiots. Probably not!

Good and hopefully the Thai authorities have marked his card should he ever wish to go back there!

I felt quite embarassed when returning from BKK last time, a large party of oiks turned up just in time to catch the plane then proceeded to complain because of the extra hand luggage search that's now done at the gate. For their safety!

At one point the polite Thai Airways guy said "Do you want to get on this flight or not"

Good old Brits abroad!