Airport city likely to be axed

BANGKOK: -- A controversial bill to set up a city near Suvarnabhumi Airport looks set to be shot down, reportedly after a Cabinet move yesterday to acknowledge objections.

Residents in two Samut Prakan areas disapproved of proposed changes when responding to surveys. They want the entire province, which has five districts and one subdistrict, included in the new Suvarnabhumi metropolitan area, not just one district and subdistrict, government deputy spokesperson Netpreeya Chumchaiyo said.

There were fears development plans and budget management for the rest of the province would only be partly implemented and may become ineffective, she said.

The bill proposes including two parts of Samut Prakan - Bang Phli and Bang Sao Thong - and Bangkok's Lat Krabang and Prawet districts in a new metropolitan special administration.

Netpreeya said Cabinet members yesterday acknowledged the survey results. Some ministers are expected to recommend the current bill be axed.

"A considerable number of residents surveyed have disapproved of building towns and cities around the airport, as planned and proposed in the bill," Netpreeya said, referring to recommendations attached to the surveys.

The Cabinet yesterday approved a request by metered-taxi drivers for a Suvarnabhumi Airport surcharge. Drivers cited a similar surcharge on fares from Don Muang.

--The Nation 2007-04-07

How could a plan with so many opportunities for corruption be axed? I look forward to a new plan with more opportunites for corruption.