Thai Airways Will Not Move To Don Muang Airport

[Nemo.]

I'm sorry the Thai engineering group is so sensitive about nationality. Actually, this is quite un-engineery. The foundation of Engineering is physics and chemistry, which respect no borders. The response by an engineering group should be "We are qualified because" or "We are not qualified because" and list the reasons/qualifications. The folks who hire them (the gov't) can then make a decision. In fact, in this case, due diligence would suggest that, even if the local engineers were qualified to do the job, the fact that it is ALREADY so botched means independent oversight is required. That independent oversight should be chosen based on a simple criterion: chose the best, most experienced in the world to review all decisions, plans, and executions. There is too much at stake in money and lives to allow this to be executed on the basis of "face" and "national pride".

No one loses face if the job is done right.

I'm reminded of the problems China Airlines, the national carrier of Taiwan, was having some years ago. They lost several aircraft, with many casualties. As a last straw, they put a brand new 747 in Hong Kong harbour, albeit with no injuries. The government said "enough!" and hired Lufthansa to manage their safety and operations. In which way did they lose more face? By putting a 747 in Hong Kong Harbour, where it floated for 6 months at the end of the runway while salvage operations were carried out, or by becoming one of the most respected Asian carriers after fixing the problem? The world hailed their move to do "what was right". The world would do the same for Thailand.

A false sense of pride is making Thailand the laughing stock of the world. Thailand has many many things to be proud of. Perhaps one day Thailand will be proud of the fact that it knows when to ask for help. Or will hubris be it's tragic flaw?

[tijnebijn]

Again the same story,I repeat this is Thailand.One more time ,this is Thailand,this is Thailand.Oke I got it now.

[DrDweeb]

Wow - I made a post yesterday in my usual style and it generated zero responses. I must be losing my touch

Dweeb

[WaiWai]

Airlines threaten to boycott Thailand

By Ian Black in Bangkok

February 17, 2007

INTERNATIONAL airlines have threatened to stop flights into Thailand if they are forced to move from the new international Suvarnabhumi gateway back to the old Don Muang airport.

Board of Airline Representatives president Brian Sinclair-Thompson, speaking for more than 60 carriers, said last night: /"Some members are going to review their commitment to continue their services from Thailand if they are forced to split operations to serve two airports.''

The threat effectively forced the hand of Thailand's military government, which has been besieged by problems surrounding the new $A7 billion gateway, opened last September as a replacement for the 90-year-old Don Muang facility.

Continued at

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story...11-1702,00.html

[Tywais]

Airlines threaten to boycott Thailand

By Ian Black in Bangkok

February 17, 2007

Story running now in the News Clippings > http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...=106958&hl=

Thanks WaiWai for the information.

[ancv]

P - L - E - A - S - E not the "loss of face" argument again!!

1) It is openly admitted that corruption (this only happened under Thaksin of course! ) was the cause of all and any problems

2) There are many reports about cracks in the runways etc - it does appear to have been built on a swamp! Of course this is a matter of concern!

3) Major international airlines will be watching and considereing what to do

4) Thailand cannot lay claim to the greatest safety standards in the world

5) Potential visitors will be looking at this along with other scares such as the coup itself, Tsunami's and the apparent attempts to further restrict nightlife entertainment etc

Anyway how could it be "loss of face" if , as I am sure they would - the internation experts "confirm" the minor nature of the problem- or is the real fear that, IF they found it to be more serious, the authorities would not be able to hide the problem as suggested in the article

Does it have to wait for "loss of life" before they will stop worrying about "loss of face"

[jumnien]

NEWSFLASH - 80,000 landings and take-offs with no incidents, airport works fine. If you are interested in landing or taking off today, by all means use the airport. If you are not planning to take off or land today, don't worry your little heart silly thinking about it. It's an airport, that's all it is. Why this farang obsession?

[Jai Dee]

Don Muang Airport renovation to be completed by March 20

Caretaker Managing Director of the Airports of Thailand (AoT), Kalaya Phakakrong (กัลยา ผกากรอง) revealed that the renovation of the Don Muang Airport’s domestic passenger building will be completed by March 20. The reopening of it is scheduled on March 25, the beginning date of the 2007 summer flying schedules of airlines.

Tomorrow, AoT will hold a meeting with the director of the Don Muang Airport to outline a working framework and a plan to facilitate both passengers and airlines. They will also specify areas for each airline to use and figure the amount of officials to deploy for the reopening. After that, AoT will hold another meeting with airlines to discuss the readiness of their re-operation of flights at the Don Muang Airport.

Mrs Kalaya expects that the airport will not operate around the clock as all domestic flights end before 12.00 a.m. The operation cost of the airport is estimated at 30 million baht per month.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 Febuary 2007