According to Bangkok Post, Saturday 3 Feb 2007:

"Engineers have examined the Suvarnabhumi Airport and found reports of damage overblown, with no cracks on runways or taxiways, it was reported on Friday."

"There are no cracks. The cement base is fine. The problem can be fixed."

"According to Mr Suchatavee, the problem with the runways and taxiways are ruts, not cracks in the asphalt, the reports said."

According to Nation, Saturday 3 Feb 2007:

"A key member of the team, Dr Suraphol Chivarak, who is the country's leading expert in foundation engineering and airport surface design, showed his concern about the safety of Suvarnabhumi's airfield."

'He told The Nation after investigating the ruts and cracks on the airport's taxi lanes yesterday that the condition looked "dangerous".'

There are large dangerous fractures and cracks in the leadership of Thailand at present; that we know. There is fear and uncertainty and ego. The cracks at the new airport are a political football and the game has just started. Other games to follow...

spin doctoring in Thailand, lessons from GW

cracks -> ruts

large troop increase -> surge

win the war -> achieve success

and logic.....

even if it was a problem its not a problem.

both the airport and US in Iraq are in very deep s h i t,

and both have no idea how to get out of it..

be interesting to watch how they keep blowing snow

until, like the US in Vietnam,

finally admit defeat.

It's funny how some people can relate everything to the war in Iraq. Not that Iraq was justly invaded, but still.

Funny how the Bangkok Post can report the way they do with everyone always saying the cracks are a big problem.

Funny how the Bangkok Post can report the way they do with everyone always saying the cracks are a big problem.

Not the least bit surprising as all the Bangkok Post reporters remember what happened to the last guy who tried to write about cracks at the airport.

Not the least bit surprising as all the Bangkok Post reporters remember what happened to the last guy who tried to write about cracks at the airport.

I remember it as the day when I stopped buying the BKK Post. But the head honcho is still now defending his actions. I wonder in whose pocket that winker is.

Yeah, sure, and The Nation is the pride of the free press...at least The BKK Post staff doesn't write as crappily as some of The Nation's...I understand they felt the need to compensate for the former's political bias, but they went way overboard ever since the Thaksin crusade started. Too many of their editorials look like hate-mail written by editors that really woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

Yeah, sure, and The Nation is the pride of the free press...at least The BKK Post staff doesn't write as crappily as some of The Nation's...I understand they felt the need to compensate for the former's political bias, but they went way overboard ever since the Thaksin crusade started. Too many of their editorials look like hate-mail written by editors that really woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

Amen - my Nation subscription ends this month, and this is the primary reason I'm not renewing it. Also, the Bkk post has sunday Comics!!!!!

Anyone got some recent photos of the cracks? Surely a photo or two would resolve the issue one way or the other.

For those of you not familiar with the most common definition of "rut" (other than in animal breeding), a rut is a grave with both ends kicked out.

In an article at:

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/02/06/business/airport.php

A Mr. Brian Sinclair-Thompson, President of the Board of Airline Representatives in Thailand is reported as saying:

"We don't know how much of this is being politically motivated," ................ Some of the airport woes were being used to "discredit previous administrations," he said.

"The runway cracks were not serious,"

"They were not safety-threatening in any way, shape or form."

Patrick

It's scary to think that peoples lives are at stake, and face saving politics and media manipulation are getting in the way of fixing the problem.

Sorry, cracks in construction mean a lot more than just cracks. They may or may not be currently dangerous but they mean that tremendous weights and pressures are moving in differant directions and that for large constructions under constant duress means very bad things in the long run. Also, degradation of the surface means that loose detritus might be around which could easly get pulled into some very sensative engines at the most inopportune time.

Also, in large surfaces, stress accumulates at edges and corners. This means that the stress that should be carried uniformly by the structure begins to accumulate at cracks causing a quicker deterioration. The cracks are a very visible symbol that something underlying the whole construction is seriously wrong. While it might be safe now, its a clear sign that at some point in the future it will be unsafe. They are making a good decision to reopen DM while they still can and get to the root of the problem.

If you look at the ownership of BKK post, it is not surprising to see how most news are reported.

For those of you not familiar with the most common definition of "rut" (other than in animal breeding), a rut is a grave with both ends kicked out.

In England the common meaning of rut is:- a track sunk by the passage of wheels; beaten track; groove.

Quite apt for this scenario!

how will the cracks cope with the new jumbo ? and how will the airports architects reputation cope with all the bad press? He specialises in airports .

Can anyone post a photo of the "cracks". So far, all the photos of the cracks published are not cracks. Just curious.

how will the cracks cope with the new jumbo ? and how will the airports architects reputation cope with all the bad press? He specialises in airports .

The A380 was designed to spread its weight out so as to not be any tougher on runways than a 747.

Well thats true on a per tire basis but not on a per plane basis. With a properly built runway, then per tire, force per square inch of contact is relevant. With a degrading runway though, and one with obvious support subsidence issues, the gross weigh is going to be a significant problem. The A380 is much much heavier than the 747, could be a serious issue. The good news is that SUV has time to build new runways before Airbus delivers.

In my limted experience, ruts appear following prolonged heavy useage, and it is way too soon to be expecting to see them, at this world-class brand-new airport.

Would anyone with more technical-knowledge be able to suggest why the ruts have appeared so soon ? Is it a problem of the quality of materials-used, or what ?