Suvarnabhumi Airport New Year Party Cancelled

[Jai Dee]

No New Year bash for Suvarnabhumi

The Transport Ministry has cancelled plans to organise a lavish New Year countdown party at Suvarnabhumi Airport because of concern that the large crowds might delay the grand opening of the facility next year, permanent secretary Wanchai Sarathulthat said yesterday.

Wanchai, chairman of the airport party organising committee, said the panel had met to discuss the matter and decided that it would be dangerous to proceed since construction work was still going on.

Since the party would probably attract many New Year revellers, concerns were raised that the crowd might affect the ongoing construction. "We can't limit the amount of people who attend the New Year countdown, and we can't organise sufficient security to ensure that the crowds don't interfere with work on the runway and terminal building," he said.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has been told to find an alternative venue for the New Year countdown.

Arisman Pongruangrong, secretary to the Tourism and Sports Minister, said the ministry planned to organise the event at the Supphachalasai National Stadium.

Source: The Nation - Nov 25 , 2005

[Jai Dee]

TRANSPORT MINISTRY SAYS PEOPLE CAN STILL HAVE FUN DESPITE CANCELLATION OF COUNTDOWN AT SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT

The Ministry of Transport has cancelled the planned ‘Thailand Countdown 2006’ event at SUVARNABHUMI Airport.

The Permanent Secretary to the Transport Ministry, Mr. WANCHAI SARATHOONTHAT (วันชัย ศารทูลทัต), has announced the cancellation of the much-anticipated New Year’s countdown event, reasoning that the ministry was concerned with the task of providing convenience for as many as a hundred thousand people who will be attending. The ministry is also concerned about the budget that could swell due to factors such as providing security, building of fences, and erecting stages.

The Transport Ministry will confer with the Tourism Authority of Thailand over a new venue for the event, and the conclusion should be met by Monday.

Mr. WANCHAI noted that despite the countdown at the new airport having been called off, people can still join the countdown events at other venues and enjoy this annual celebration.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 26 November 2005