Suvarnabhumi Airport Delayed

[Butterfly]

Hasn't Taksin personal fortune (I mean his chauffeur and maid) trippled since he took power 5 years ago ?

[Butterfly]

Maybe the Thais have a lot to learn still.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Trust me, Toxin is taking master classes from Dick Cheney & Poppy Bush and has taken post-grad seminars offered by the Carlyle Group. The sister, is that the murderous one from out in Sankampeng?

And don't forget another "lord" of deception: Berlusconi

Amazing how those CEOs got into power with the support of the people. Also funny that their stronger supporters are always the poorest. They abuse the people and make a fool of the public by making their life more difficult and helping their rich elite friends and still the people love them more and ask for more. Unbelievable.

Having a CEO at the top of your country is like putting inmates on death rows to the head of a prison. Totally senseless. There should be a law in each country to "bar" CEOs or businessmen from running public offices. Also make a provision for former actors. We don't need another lunatic power hungry failed Governator

[Flysiam]

Why is no one accountable for public spending?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Simple....TiT

[kidtongue]

I've heard rumors that the runways are not stable, and that they are sinking more than expected and so are the terminals. Granted I can't verify this source, but it's an interesting spin on why the delays of 6-8 months as construction is near completion. I know that there are more stuff to be done, with a good deal of systems that have to be connected and tested as well as personell trained for emergency proceedures, but I get the distinct feeling there's more to the story than being let on by "Mr. I pity the fool..." =P (Mr. T). But ofcourse that's nothing new to those of us who are used to being lied to by politicians.

But anyways, I get the feeling when next July rolls around, they'll be delaying the opening again!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OK, first hand information. 1. There is no delay as we [The Expats on the job] always said that the Airport would be completed and opened, at the end of 2006. ". 2. The runway is not sinking, thanks to a very good ex-Pat Geotechnical Engineer who is supervising Construction.

There was a dodgy period when the Prime Minister decided the Royal Thai Airforce and AIT students could do the job better, but after a few balls ups, the Ex-Pats were put back in charge.

The Ex-Pats still say that the Airport should open in September next year, but surely the Grand Opening will be the King's Birthday in December.

It is interesting that as predicted by us, the Prime Minster intends to land in a light Aircraft in September this year in a face saving stunt.

Also, I jokingly suggested to the designers, that the design was missing a golf course with traffic lights for Golf carts to cross the runway to the ninth hole. They now appear to be taking this seriously, and as you will have read, the Prime Minister intends the perimeter taxiway to be used for a Bangkok Marathon course.

Incidently, the another Ex-Pat who was CEO of Berli Jucker, was involved in the original bid to build this Airport in 1963, so it must go down as the Airport that has taken the longest time to build.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I recommend the new airport be renamed before commissioning as "GolfPortThailand" in honor of the 1st golf carts to land.

[RJJ]

I recommend the new airport be renamed before commissioning as "GolfPortThailand" in honor of the 1st golf carts to land.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

At least it would be easier to pronounce than Suvarnabhumi

Edited July 30, 2005 by RJJ

[BAF]

Maybe the Thais have a lot to learn still.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Trust me, Toxin is taking master classes from Dick Cheney & Poppy Bush and has taken post-grad seminars offered by the Carlyle Group. The sister, is that the murderous one from out in Sankampeng?

And don't forget another "lord" of deception: Berlusconi

Amazing how those CEOs got into power with the support of the people. Also funny that their stronger supporters are always the poorest. They abuse the people and make a fool of the public by making their life more difficult and helping their rich elite friends and still the people love them more and ask for more. Unbelievable.

Having a CEO at the top of your country is like putting inmates on death rows to the head of a prison. Totally senseless. There should be a law in each country to "bar" CEOs or businessmen from running public offices. Also make a provision for former actors. We don't need another lunatic power hungry failed Governator

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Italy is not Thailand and Italians are not Thais.

We have tons of media, TV talk-shows, TV political forums, newspapers, political parties' papers, seminars, political conventions etc etc etc which are FREE to talk shit about the ones in charge and to point out the supposed faults of the govt in charge to the people for all to see. I might add that most of our media are leftist and you are more likely to hear criticisms on Berlusconi than praises.

Still, he has been reelected twice and the Italians have harshily punished the ex-communist scum (D'Alema) who overthrew him through a (legal) parliamentary stunt without going through regular elections (the only democratic option, but we know how communists have never really got used to it...)

Ever heard of "democracy"? Or is that you think you are the only smart ass around who should choose for all the rest of us?

Keep your Schroeders, de Villepins and Zapateros and leave us the choice of our "lesser evil". We have tried Prodi and his "compagni" and gladly leave Germany, France and Spain to deal with this kind of great leftist statesmen...

[Jai Dee]

MOTORWAYS LEADING TO SUVARNABHUMI ARE NEAR COMPLETION

The Secretary-General of the Department of Motorways has stated that the construction of toll-ways leading to Suvarnabhumi Airport have been completed in the northern and southern areas. The only remaining area is to the west, which is expected to be completed by 2009.

Mr. Thuetsak Sathamanop (เทิดศักดิ์ เศรษฐมานพ), the secretary-general of the Department of Motorways, revealed that progress in the construction of three motorways leading to the Suvarnabhumi Airport is proceeding well. These motorways are the Bangkok-Chon Buri Motorway, the Bangna Motorway, and the KhingKaew (กิ่งแก้ว) ramp way, respectively.

Other projects, such as road levelling, and camber constructions are expected to be completed shortly.

Source: thaisnews.com

[Crossy]

I can only remember the HK disaster when they opened that new Airport too soon.

Lost luggages, delayed flights etc... for months. Travellers would pay extra to use the old Airport because it was such a nightmare.

See what happened with the MRT when they opened too quickly.

When they rush things here, you can bet it becomes a disaster soon after. I can't understand why Toxin is pressing for those projects to be opened "early". What the rush ? doesn't he have more pressing things to do like stabilizing the South ?

I remember 'Chek Lap Cok-up' well, we were up on Beacon Hill watching the lights go out on Kai Tak never to come back on Then off to the pub before an early start to get to the new airport before the first flight in (we were installing equipment for the Airport Express Railway).

One point, your memory is faulty, HK never operated the airports together so passengers could not pay extra to use the old one.

At least here there is sufficient clearance that both can operate together when it all goes pear-shaped, as we all know it will.

[sriracha john]

Update:

World leaders to be invited to airport opening

Published on Aug 24 , 2005

Thailand will extend an invitation to world leaders to attend next June's inauguration of Suvarnabhumi International Airport, in a ceremony the government hopes will be reminiscent of the 2003 Apec meeting.

The government plans to dispatch more than 1,000 invitations all over the world by the end of the year.

The government is dividing the guest list into different categories, with leaders from European countries and the United States included among countries politically important to Thailand.

Leaders from China and Japan will be grouped with those countries having strong economic relations with the Kingdom.

A source at the Transport Ministry close to a working group for the event said the government had informed all relevant agencies to prepare for the celebrations.

Thai Airways International (THAI), Airports of Thailand (AOT), the Transport Ministry, the Foreign Affairs Ministry and various security agencies will be the main organisers of the event.

The source said: "It will be even bigger than Apec." Bangkok hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in October 2003. Participants included US President George W Bush.

The source said the government wanted to show off the new international airport to world leaders. The airport will help Bangkok realise its goal of becoming a regional aviation hub that will serve the increasing numbers of air travellers and promote economic growth.

"Next year, the country will hold its biggest event ever. All of the presidents and other country leaders will be guests of the government," said the source.

An AOT source said security measures were being prepared, but he declined to disclose any details.

AOT reported that its second Bangkok airport was ready for technical testing, including aircraft landings and take-offs. The company will hold its first demonstration on September 29.

Thaksin will preside over the initial trial flight. He and his entourage will be passengers aboard a THAI Airbus A340-600 departing from Don Muang Airport that morning. The aircraft will fly over the Central Plains and land on Suvarnabhumi Airport's eastern runway.

awww... I guess using the Miss Siam vintage plane idea is out..

The group will be processed through Immigration and Customs and out into the arrival area. They will then return to the aircraft, undergoing standard boarding procedures, and then fly back to Don Muang.

Meanwhile - despite the government having recently stated that the baggage-handling system's installation would be delayed until February because of the CTX explosives-scanners row - the AOT board yesterday expressed confidence that the airport would be completed on schedule.

Acting president Bancha Patanaporn said that to celebrate completion on September 29, a marathon and a motorcycle race would both be held at the site.

He said overall construction was now 90-per-cent complete and that installation of the explosives-scanning machines would be finished tomorrow.

Directly contradicts statements made on TV news last night that they were holding off on installing 24 of the 26 scanners until ALL the interior work on the terminal was completed as they were concerned that all the dust and debris from construction would damage the sensitive scanners if they were already installed.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

[The Skipper]

How many world leaders have enough spare time to attend an Airport opening?

Bigger than APEC?

Some of his ideas are plain wacky.

What other country has a Prime Minister that personally oversees a construction project?

[Bluffer]

........... the AOT board yesterday expressed confidence that the airport would be completed on schedule.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ummm which schedule?

[sriracha john]

I'm rather disappointed that he didn't also invite world leaders to accompany him on the inaugural Sept. 29 flight next month. I'm sure there would be a flood of acceptances to fly with him and land on the cracked... errr, I mean... totally safe runway.

[ovenman]

What other country has a Prime Minister that personally oversees a construction project?

I believe the word you were looking for is micromanages.

[andyfletch]

What other country has a Prime Minister that personally oversees a construction project?

I believe the word you were looking for is micromanages.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Funnily enough Dr Mahathir in Malaysia used to do exactly the same thing - he was regularly on site at the Petronas towers, and also took a deep interest in the KL Monorail project. Not sure if Abdullah Badawai is going to do the same though ( suspect not!!!!!)

[TokyoT]

The source said: "It will be even bigger than Apec." Bangkok hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in October 2003. Participants included US President George W Bush.

.....

"Next year, the country will hold its biggest event ever. All of the presidents and other country leaders will be guests of the government," said the source.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They do realize this is just an airport right?

...the AOT board yesterday expressed confidence that the airport would be completed on schedule.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yea as Bluffer indicates – which schedule are we talking about now?

[dr_Pat_Pong]

The FIFTH AMENDMENT

[Jai Dee]

THE TRANSPORT MINISTER IS CONFIDENT THE CONSTRUCTION OF ALL BUILDINGS AT SUVARABHUMI AIRPORT WILL BE FINISHED BY DECEMBER

The transport minister is confident the construction of all buildings at Suvarnabhumi (สุวรรณภูมิ) Airport will be finished by December, after which the software systems will be immediately installed.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra chaired a meeting of the administrative committee for Suvarnabhumi Airport development yesterday.

Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal (พงษ์ศักดิ์ รักตพงศ์ไพศาล) disclosed that the prime minister has urged for a quick completion of the software and electrical systems. ITO Joint Venture has promised to complete the software installation and will deliver by December. Thus, all buildings would have to be completed by December.

Another meeting will be held on September 26th to inspect the progress of the airport, and the prime minister will join all monthly meetings. Preparations have been made to test-land an Airbus 340 and a Boeing 747 on the eastern runway on September 29th. Furthermore, the prime minister also wishes to test the new Airbus 380, but this is still being considered.

The transport minister noted that the prime minister has not mentioned any corruption as referred to in spreading news, as there was no corruption.

The prime minister has also assigned the Expressway and Rapid Transit Authority to address looming traffic problems and accommodate the increased number of cars that are expected to travel to the airport.

Source: thaisnews.com

/Edit - I've taken the liberty of highlighting in bold one particular line from the article that I'm sure will generate some interest.

Please note that in the original article this sentence was not highlighted.

Edited August 26, 2005 by Jai Dee

[dr_Pat_Pong]

and that's what his old mum told him Must be right then

[Jai Dee]

THE CHART THAI LEADER IS WORRIED ABOUT SUVARNABHUMI'S WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

The CHART THAI Party leader has expressed concerns about the new airport's water management system.

Speaking after an inspection of SUVARNABHUMI Airport's construction site, CHART THAI Party leader BANHARN SILPA-ARCHA said he was concerned about water management and drainage system in and around the airport.

Giving reasons that the airport is built on a large basin, which is easier for the waves of floodwater from the northern part of the country to flow in, Mr BANHARN said that it is necessary for the airport authorities to order the digging of additional waterways around the airport compound for easier circulation.

However, after a thorough inspection, Mr BANHARN commented that, even though the new Bangkok airport has encountered several problems, such as cracks on runway, the terminal's roof, and the purchase of CTX bomb detectors and the attached baggage transporters, he said the overall performance is still considered fine.

Source: thaisnews.com

[Sphere]

[However, after a thorough inspection, Mr BANHARN commented that, even though the new Bangkok airport has encountered several problems, such as cracks on runway, the terminal's roof, and the purchase of CTX bomb detectors and the attached baggage transporters, he said the overall performance is still considered fine.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I suppose then it must be too late to consider moving the airport to Suphanburi!

[Rinrada]

Just wondered if they have started building the traditional Thai Golf course between the 2 runways yet?