Airport Expansion Ahead Of A E C: Thailand

[webfact]

AIR TRAFFIC

Airport expansion ahead of AEC

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai airports have enjoyed a 10 per cent increase in passengers each year, but a bigger increase is anticipated when the Asean Economic Community starts.

Transport Minister Chatchart Sithipan said at a seminar yesterday that regional airports like the ones in Hat Yai and Phuket must be expanded to cope with more traffic.

He also foresees an increasing number of passengers at Udon Thani airport, which is supervised by the Civil Aviation Department.

On Suvarnabhumi Airport, it should operate at maximum capacity in two years. Airports of Thailand, the airport operator, will need to rush on the second-phase development, whereby the third runway would be constructed as well as warehousing areas would be expanded.

Chatchart also urged AOT to look into the transparency of its bidding process. Under the current rules, despite the cost of the projects, AOT sets to complete the bidding process in 22 days and bidders have only 6 days to submit bids.

"AOT’s transparency is in my focus. I know that the process is part of the AOT’s regulations, but the board of directors should look into the bidding period. Is it appropriate to require bidders to submit bids within 6 days? How bidders who don’t know about the project in advance could submit bids (in such a short period)," he said.

AOT is also recommended to reduce expense and increase commercial revenue. Right now, AOT revenue grows 14 per cent per year while expenses go up by 8-9 per cent. A shortfall could prevail if airports meet their limits and could not generate more income.

-- The Nation 2012-11- 24

[fareastguy]

As transparent as mud !!

Outside bidders are obviously not welcome & given no time to put a portfolio together.

Who will do what has already been agreed with the deals being done under the table with the usual appropriate handshake.

T.I.T in true form showing it's real colours.

[lizardtongue]

On Suvarnabhumi Airport, it should operate at maximum capacity in two years. Airports of Thailand, the airport operator, will need to rush on the second-phase development, whereby the third runway would be constructed as well as warehousing areas would be expanded

The same way they rushed to complete the Futbol stadium?

[asiawatcher]

"Chatchart also urged AOT to look into the transparency of its bidding process. Under the current rules, despite the cost of the projects, AOT sets to complete the bidding process in 22 days and bidders have only 6 days to submit bids."

"AOT’s transparency is in my focus. I know that the process is part of the AOT’s regulations, but the board of directors should look into the bidding period. Is it appropriate to require bidders to submit bids within 6 days? How bidders who don’t know about the project in advance could submit bids (in such a short period)," he said.

Here we go again. A multi-billion baht deal, no fair bids allowed, the usual 'call for bids' charade when it has already been decided, and the contractors paying back the usual 30% hidden in the figures. T.i.T. And the rich get richer at the country's expense.

[zakk9]

A new runway at Swampy isn't enough. Even with Air Asia moved out, they are struggling with logistics. I arrived from Phnom Penh with Bangkok Airways a few days ago, and although we docked at the terminal, we had to board a bus to get to Immigration. That's probably as much a result of flawed planning as much as of capacity, but it does show that the airport terminal isn't up to the task of handling the passenger volume properly.

If they aren't able to do a major expansion within a couple of years, more airlines will probably be moved to DM, and that airport isn't perpared for it in any way. It seems like most things that didn't work when it closed down 7 years ago still don't work, and although it's supposed to be a "low cost" airport, everything cost the same as at Swampy. Add to that the lack of public transport and it's actually a more expensive airport to use than the newer one.

I guess this is what people get when living under one of the most corrupt regimes in Asia.

[onthemoon]

Six days' time to bid for such a project? Minister Chatchart is quite brave and needs to be lauded for bringing this up.

[Rancid]

"Chatchart also urged AOT to look into the transparency of its bidding process. Under the current rules, despite the cost of the projects, AOT sets to complete the bidding process in 22 days and bidders have only 6 days to submit bids."

"AOT’s transparency is in my focus. I know that the process is part of the AOT’s regulations, but the board of directors should look into the bidding period. Is it appropriate to require bidders to submit bids within 6 days? How bidders who don’t know about the project in advance could submit bids (in such a short period)," he said.

Here we go again. A multi-billion baht deal, no fair bids allowed, the usual 'call for bids' charade when it has already been decided, and the contractors paying back the usual 30% hidden in the figures. T.i.T. And the rich get richer at the country's expense.

Exactly right, this again is why the protests today, everyone wants some of this action. Mind you the public do get some new infrastructure, well as long as it lasts due to shoddy workmanship and substandard materials so pockets can be lined. I wonder if the Thais learned the kickback system from the Chinese or developed it naturally? The politicians in the West tend to be more subtle about how they syphon off their millions. At the end of the day though politics is just a parasite on society.

[hellodolly]

Why upgrade the air ports if they don't do some thing about customs and immagration.

Maybe they can build an extra strip for people to stand in line in.

Not familiar with what AOESN will due. Will it make it easier to get customs and immigration if you are coming from one of their countries?

[onthemoon]

Why upgrade the air ports if they don't do some thing about customs and immagration.

Maybe they can build an extra strip for people to stand in line in.

Not familiar with what AOESN will due. Will it make it easier to get customs and immigration if you are coming from one of their countries?

I would think upgrade of customs and immigration is part of an upgrade of an airport.

What is AOESN?

[rubl]

Airport Expansion ahead of A.E.C.

With the AEC moved from begin of 2015 to December 2015 may I assume the expansion will even be completed by that time ?