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Inaugural Flight Successfully Lands On New Airport

george

By george
in Thailand News

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george Legendary Member

george

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PM's inaugural flight successfully lands on Suvarnabhumi Airport

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International (THAI)'s historic flight--TG8960--carrying Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, cabinet members and distinguished guests successfully landed on Bangkok's new international airport--the Suvarnabhumi Airport--Thursday morning.

The THAI Air Bus 340-600 aircraft, the world's longest with the length of 75.3 metre, landed smoothly on the Suvarnabhumi Airport's eastern runway, 4.0 metres long, at around 09:19 a.m.--its schedule.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra led his cabinet members and the honourable guests, including US Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Mr. Ralph Boyce and the leader of the opposition Chart Thai Party, Mr. Banharn Silpa-archa, to board the THAI Airbus 340-600 aircraft, auspiciously named 'Watana Nakhon' by His Majesty the King, to leave the Don Muang Airport at 8:29 a.m.

The prime minister then walked through Gate E1 to a passenger terminal.

He is scheduled to test the airport's immigration, customs and luggage service systems--the CTX9000.

Journalists, about 250, were invited to board a THAI Boeing 747-400 aircraft--TG8962 named 'Hariphunchai'--to land on the airport's western runway, 3.7 metres long, at around 10:00 a.m., which is to be witnessed by the prime minister and his entourage.

Security measures have been well-prepared, including some 1,000 security officers who are on duty.

The prime minister told journalists before leaving the Don Muang Airport and on board the flight that his inaugural flight at the Suvarnabhumi Airport would tell the world that construction of all main systems of the country's new international airport are now completed.

"It will also build confidence among the world community and international passengers of the Suvarnabhumi Airport's safety and standards, deserving it to be a regional aviation hub," he said.

He expressed confidence that the Suvarnabhumi Airport could open for commercial operations by mid-2006 to mark the 60th anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's ascension to the throne.

The Suvarnabhumi Airport is a world most modern international airport currently, embeded with part of an extended electric train system and located on a huge area of 20,000 rai (2.5 rai = 1 acre) on Bangna-Trat Road here --near the Burapa Vithi Expressway's exit--with advanced and sophisticated systems and largest-scale passenger terminals.

--TNA 2005-09-29

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Jai Dee Star Member

Jai Dee

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The THAI Air Bus 340-600 aircraft, the world's longest with the length of 75.3 metre, landed smoothly on the Suvarnabhumi Airport's eastern runway, 4.0 metres long, at around 09:19 a.m.--its schedule. 

:o

Journalists, about 250, were invited to board a THAI Boeing 747-400 aircraft--TG8962 named 'Hariphunchai'--to land on the airport's western runway, 3.7 metres long, at around 10:00 a.m.,

:D

Allai wah?

Apart from the obvious above, at least Thickskin has admitted that the airport won't be ready for commercial operations until at least June next year.

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Jai Dee Star Member

Jai Dee

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PM Thaksin has passed the immigration counter at Suvarnabhumi Airport using a specially issued passport and is touring the passenger terminal.

PM Thaksin has passed the immigration counter at Suvarnabhumi Airport using a specially issued passport and is touring the passenger terminal. He will hold the 4th "PM Meet the Press" at the airport after finishing the visit.

Source: thaisnews.com ประจำวันพฤหัสบดีที่ 29 กันยายน 2548

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george Legendary Member

george

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Correction from TNA:

PM's inaugural flight successfully lands on Suvarnabhumi Airport

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International (THAI)'s historic flight--TG8960--carrying Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, cabinet members and distinguished guests successfully landed on Bangkok's new international airport--the Suvarnabhumi Airport--Thursday morning.

The THAI Air Bus 340-600 aircraft, the world's longest with the length of 75.3 metre, landed smoothly on the Suvarnabhumi Airport's eastern runway, 4.0 kilometres long, at around 09:19 a.m.--its schedule.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra led his cabinet members and the honourable guests, including US Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Mr. Ralph Boyce and the leader of the opposition Chart Thai Party, Mr. Banharn Silpa-archa, to board the THAI Airbus 340-600 aircraft, auspiciously named 'Watana Nakhon' by His Majesty the King, to leave the Don Muang Airport at 8:29 a.m.

The prime minister then walked through Gate E1 to a passenger terminal.

He is scheduled to test the airport's immigration, customs and luggage service systems--the CTX9000.

Journalists, about 250, were invited to board a THAI Boeing 747-400 aircraft--TG8962 named 'Hariphunchai'--to land on the airport's western runway, 3.7 kilometres long, at around 10:00 a.m., which is to be witnessed by the prime minister and his entourage.

Security measures have been well-prepared, including some 1,000 security officers who are on duty.

The prime minister told journalists before leaving the Don Muang Airport and on board the flight that his inaugural flight at the Suvarnabhumi Airport would tell the world that construction of all main systems of the country's new international airport are now completed.

"It will also build confidence among the world community and international passengers of the Suvarnabhumi Airport's safety and standards, deserving it to be a regional aviation hub," he said.

He expressed confidence that the Suvarnabhumi Airport could open for commercial operations by mid-2006 to mark the 60th anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's ascension to the throne.

The Suvarnabhumi Airport is a world most modern international airport currently, embeded with part of an extended electric train system and located on a huge area of 20,000 rai (2.5 rai = 1 acre) on Bangna-Trat Road here --near the Burapa Vithi Expressway's exit--with advanced and sophisticated systems and largest-scale passenger terminals.

--TNA 2005-09-29 version 2

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yeti Silver Member

yeti

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Posted
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra led his cabinet members and the honourable guests, including US Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Mr. Ralph Boyce and the leader of the opposition Chart Thai Party, Mr. Banharn Silpa-archa, to board the THAI Airbus 340-600 aircraft, auspiciously named 'Watana Nakhon' by His Majesty the King, to leave the Don Muang Airport at 8:29 a.m.

Flying the US Ambassador in an Airbus, that's nasty :o

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simon43 Star Member

simon43

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Why oh why is this airport called 'Suvarnabhumi' in English. In the Thai pronounciation, the final 'i' is not sounded and there certainly is not a 'bh' in there either! My wife pronounced it in Thai as 'Suvarnapoom', which is how I would also pronounce it (having been told by her that the final มิ is not pronounced).

So we are going to have loads of western tourists telling taxi drivers to go to Suvarnabhumi, which will probably confuse the ###### out of them.

It's about time someone challenged the accuracy of the authorised transliteration system...

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sriracha john Star Member

sriracha john

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...Suvarnabhumi Airport's eastern runway, 4.0 metres long...
--to land on the airport's western runway, 3.7 metres long...
Wow ! :D

cool!... my driveway is longer than the airport runway... :o

Yeah, but can't land an A 340-600 on your driveway - so there! :D

you're right... the control tower here only allows boeings to fly in ... :D

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Sphere Advanced Member

Sphere

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Why oh why is this airport called 'Suvarnabhumi' in English.  In the Thai pronounciation, the final 'i' is not sounded and there certainly is not a 'bh' in there either!  My wife pronounced it in Thai as 'Suvarnapoom', which is how I would also pronounce it (having been told by her that the final มิ is not pronounced).

So we are going to have loads of western tourists telling taxi drivers to go to Suvarnabhumi, which will probably confuse the ###### out of them. 

It's about time someone challenged the accuracy of the authorised transliteration system...

Suvarnabhumi is not a Thai word - it is a Sanskrit / Pali term for Golden Land. Several Sanskrit / Pali words and terms are used in the Thai language and when spoken end up sounding very different from their original tone/s. For the name of the new airport, the transliteration was done at a very high level. There shall be no change. :o

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sajal Advanced Member

sajal

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Why oh why is this airport called 'Suvarnabhumi' in English.  In the Thai pronounciation, the final 'i' is not sounded and there certainly is not a 'bh' in there either!  My wife pronounced it in Thai as 'Suvarnapoom', which is how I would also pronounce it (having been told by her that the final มิ is not pronounced).

So we are going to have loads of western tourists telling taxi drivers to go to Suvarnabhumi, which will probably confuse the ###### out of them. 

It's about time someone challenged the accuracy of the authorised transliteration system...

in sanskrin suvarna means golden and bhumi means land...

actually correct sanskrit pronounciation would be something more like swurnbhumi...

im pretty sure the meaning in thai is same.....

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sabaijai Diamond Member

sabaijai

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Why oh why is this airport called 'Suvarnabhumi' in English.  In the Thai pronounciation, the final 'i' is not sounded and there certainly is not a 'bh' in there either!  My wife pronounced it in Thai as 'Suvarnapoom', which is how I would also pronounce it (having been told by her that the final มิ is not pronounced).

So we are going to have loads of western tourists telling taxi drivers to go to Suvarnabhumi, which will probably confuse the ###### out of them. 

It's about time someone challenged the accuracy of the authorised transliteration system...

in sanskrin suvarna means golden and bhumi means land...

actually correct sanskrit pronounciation would be something more like swurnbhumi...

im pretty sure the meaning in thai is same.....

And the correct Thai transliteration, following the official Royal Thai General System of Transcription (RTGS), would be Suwannaphum, not Suvarnabhumi or Suvarnaphum.

RTGS

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Heng Star Member

Heng

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Why oh why is this airport called 'Suvarnabhumi' in English.  In the Thai pronounciation, the final 'i' is not sounded and there certainly is not a 'bh' in there either!  My wife pronounced it in Thai as 'Suvarnapoom', which is how I would also pronounce it (having been told by her that the final มิ is not pronounced).

So we are going to have loads of western tourists telling taxi drivers to go to Suvarnabhumi, which will probably confuse the ###### out of them. 

It's about time someone challenged the accuracy of the authorised transliteration system...

If you have a problem with the name, why don't you take it up with the fellow who named the airport?

:o

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Dah fahrang Advanced Member

Dah fahrang

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Naughty old BBC!

How dare they tell the world the airport is unfinished - when our 'beloved leader' is bulls***ting to the world that it was all systems go as from today!

Thai PM opens unfinished airport

By Jonathan Head

BBC News, Bangkok

The new airport is unlikely to be fully open until 2006

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has presided over a symbolic opening of Bangkok's new international airport, by landing there on a special flight.

The new airport, which is seen as crucial to Thailand's tourist industry, was first planned 45 years ago.

Mr Thaksin had originally promised it would be finished by today, Thursday, but it is now not expected to be fully operational for another year.

Claims of incompetence and corruption have dogged the $4bn project.

For the first time since it was dreamed up, Suvarnabhumi (Golden Land) airport, was thronged with people.

These people were not regular passengers, though, but an entourage of cabinet ministers, dignitaries and airport employees all brought in for one day to sustain the illusion that Bangkok's new international gateway is open for business.

This extravagant spectacle was organised on the orders of Prime Minister Thaksin, because he had promised the country that the airport would be completed by Thursday.

The expanses of bare concrete, unsurfaced roads and half finished buildings told a different story though.

Even the government now concedes the airport will not be ready to handle commercial flights until June next year.

Corruption allegations

Industry experts believe there could be further delays to the project - which has already been dogged by delays and allegations of corruption, one of which cost the transport minister his job two months ago.

Airlines are complaining that the charges at the new airport will be too high, and that it will not be capable of handling baggage fast enough.

These concerns were brushed aside by the prime minister as he toured the impressive terminal buildings on Thursday.

He insists the airport will beat its rivals in the region to become East Asia's dominant transport hub - a goal his critics say is within reach, but only if the government acknowledges its past mistakes. :o

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kenk3z Silver Member

kenk3z

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For my part I enjoyed watching the luggage go around the carusel.

All exactly the same piece of luggage (model or type and size), just different colors. Not sure of the odds of that happening, but I'd guess the moving luggage was staged for the cameras.

:o

kenk3z

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ovenman Platinum Member

ovenman

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For my part I enjoyed watching the luggage go around the carusel.

All exactly the same piece of luggage (model or type and size), just different colors.  Not sure of the odds of that happening, but I'd guess the moving luggage was staged for the cameras.

The entire event was staged for the cameras. :o

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penzman Platinum Member

penzman

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Why oh why is this airport called 'Suvarnabhumi' in English.  In the Thai pronounciation, the final 'i' is not sounded and there certainly is not a 'bh' in there either!  My wife pronounced it in Thai as 'Suvarnapoom', which is how I would also pronounce it (having been told by her that the final มิ is not pronounced).

So we are going to have loads of western tourists telling taxi drivers to go to Suvarnabhumi, which will probably confuse the ###### out of them. 

It's about time someone challenged the accuracy of the authorised transliteration system...

Suvarnabhumi is not a Thai word - it is a Sanskrit / Pali term for Golden Land. Several Sanskrit / Pali words and terms are used in the Thai language and when spoken end up sounding very different from their original tone/s. For the name of the new airport, the transliteration was done at a very high level. There shall be no change. :o

Same people who took care of the Pattaya/Phattaya/Pathaya/Pataya road signs?

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sriracha john Star Member

sriracha john

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From the Bangkok Herald Examiner:

forgedpassport.jpg

PM attempts to use forged passport

Prime Minister Thaksin smiles nervously at the Immigration counter of the new airport during it's grand opening when it was discovered that his passport was a forgery. When asked to explain, the PM merely stated that he had obtained it in Chinatown from an Algerian, but refused further comments other than to say he was proud of an earlier announcement in the Western press that Thailand was a hub for passport forgeries. "We're proud of all our hubs," he was quoted as saying.

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