Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport extension plan 'suspended by junta'

[webfact]

BKK Airport's Extension Plan 'Suspended By Junta'
By Khosod English


A stranded passenger dozes off during the occupation of Suvarnabhumi Airport by "Yellowshirt" protesters, 26 November 2008.

BANGKOK — The Thai military junta has ordered Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport to shelve the plan to extend its facilities, a state official says.

The decision was made by a committee on public spending installed by the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), according to Mekhanin Petchplai, a managing director of Airports of Thailand.

Mr. Mekhanin said the panel advised the airport authorities to "reconsider" the plan and make it more transparent.

"We are willing to comply with every policy of NCPO," Mr. Mekhanin said yesterday, "If they want us to adjust the plan, we are willing to do so."

However, Mr. Mekhanin said the airport extension plan, called "Phase Two," is necessary to accommodate more visitors to Suvarnabhumi Airport.

"At the present time, Suvarnabhumi Airport has already exceeded its maximum capacity," said Mr. Mekhanin, explaining that the airport is now hosting more than 51 million passengers per year even though it was built to accommodate only 45 million visitors per year.

He vowed to push ahead with the plan and finish the extension by late 2015, with the aim of raising the airport's capacity to 60 million people per year.

However, the Airports of Thailand director admitted that overall number of visitors to Thai airports has been on the decline, partly due to the political turmoil that had plagued Thailand for six months.

He expected that growth in the number of visitors to Thai airport would only stand at 2-3% by the end of 2014, which is far lower than the 9% rise from last year, as well as the 6.5% growth enjoyed by other airports in the Asia-Pacific region this year.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1404366795&typecate=06&section=


-- Khaosod English 2014-07-03

[siampolee]

Interesting to note that that so reliable media medium Khaosod has used an archived image the depicts the yellow shirts occupation of the airport

I wonder why they should do that, surely not an attempt to distort the truth is it?

Oh and another question who owns the greater majority of the land surrounding Suvarnabhumi Airport ?

Now there regarding the land ownership question being clarified we may well be able to understand why the proposed expansion is being halted.

[GeorgeO]

Interesting to note that that so reliable media medium Khaosod has used an archived image the depicts the yellow shirts occupation of the airport

I wonder why they should do that, surely not an attempt to distort the truth is it?

Oh and another question who owns the greater majority of the land surrounding Suvarnabhumi Airport ?

Now there regarding the land ownership question being clarified we may well be able to understand why the proposed expansion is being halted.

My thoughts exactly ... what the hell does the occupation of the airport six years ago have to do with current expansion plans...?!

[Cuchulainn]

Interesting to note that that so reliable media medium Khaosod has used an archived image the depicts the yellow shirts occupation of the airport

I wonder why they should do that, surely not an attempt to distort the truth is it?

Oh and another question who owns the greater majority of the land surrounding Suvarnabhumi Airport ?

Now there regarding the land ownership question being clarified we may well be able to understand why the proposed expansion is being halted.

I know. Leave them alone. Spoiled little red brats making sure they get their own way.

[Prbkk]

Some of the usual suspects focus on trivia. So what if it's archival image...those events set in place the problems facing Thailand today and not one of those responsible has been held accountable. And who cares who owns the land. The airport has to expand if it is to remain competitive. Some of you see shadows instead of opportunities.

[londonthai]

A month ago prayuth says there would be redevelopment of bangkok airports. Now his commision suspends suvanna indefinitety. That's for the benefit don muang, which is owneed by airforce.

Shurly suwanna needs urgent development, as it's lacking capability. Don muang was just redone after the floods and not many passengers use it

[neverdie]

Some of the usual suspects focus on trivia. So what if it's archival image...those events set in place the problems facing Thailand today and not one of those responsible has been held accountable. And who cares who owns the land. The airport has to expand if it is to remain competitive. Some of you see shadows instead of opportunities.

Sounds like another 'usual suspect' with sour grapes. Sad to be you.

It's very important who owns the land and what he might beset to gain by yet another very 'convienant' project. Perhaps the land might eventually default to the crown, wouldn't that be sad.

[Prbkk]

Some of the usual suspects focus on trivia. So what if it's archival image...those events set in place the problems facing Thailand today and not one of those responsible has been held accountable. And who cares who owns the land. The airport has to expand if it is to remain competitive. Some of you see shadows instead of opportunities.

Sounds like another 'usual suspect' with sour grapes. Sad to be you.

It's very important who owns the land and what he might beset to gain by yet another very 'convienant' project. Perhaps the land might eventually default to the crown, wouldn't that be sad.

...way beyond idiotic. Planning for that airport started 40 years ago. Get a grip on reality instead of seeing conspiracy at every turn.

[djjamie]

Some of the usual suspects focus on trivia. So what if it's archival image...those events set in place the problems facing Thailand today and not one of those responsible has been held accountable. And who cares who owns the land. The airport has to expand if it is to remain competitive. Some of you see shadows instead of opportunities.

Well for starters you would be the first one to comment on the appropriateness of a photo if the article was about Jatuporn furthering the the cause of the grass roots red shirt movement. See below. One is appropriate for the OP and one is not. If the non appropriate one was used would you suggest the newspaper that printed it had an agenda?

Edited July 3, 2014 by djjamie

[ginjag]

Some of the usual suspects focus on trivia. So what if it's archival image...those events set in place the problems facing Thailand today and not one of those responsible has been held accountable. And who cares who owns the land. The airport has to expand if it is to remain competitive. Some of you see shadows instead of opportunities.

Quote. "and who cares who owns the land" What ????

The topic photo is out of order-period.

Shadows Large ones appeared as soon as the airport was planned and built. and the shadows have become larger.

Naturally some thing is amiss, and better sort it now, then expand as soon as poss.

[neverdie]

Some of the usual suspects focus on trivia. So what if it's archival image...those events set in place the problems facing Thailand today and not one of those responsible has been held accountable. And who cares who owns the land. The airport has to expand if it is to remain competitive. Some of you see shadows instead of opportunities.

Sounds like another 'usual suspect' with sour grapes. Sad to be you.

It's very important who owns the land and what he might beset to gain by yet another very 'convienant' project. Perhaps the land might eventually default to the crown, wouldn't that be sad.

...way beyond idiotic. Planning for that airport started 40 years ago. Get a grip on reality instead of seeing conspiracy at every turn.

Wake up.

[scorecard]

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Some of the usual suspects focus on trivia. So what if it's archival image...those events set in place the problems facing Thailand today and not one of those responsible has been held accountable. And who cares who owns the land. The airport has to expand if it is to remain competitive. Some of you see shadows instead of opportunities.

Oh really.

[scorecard]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Some of the usual suspects focus on trivia. So what if it's archival image...those events set in place the problems facing Thailand today and not one of those responsible has been held accountable. And who cares who owns the land. The airport has to expand if it is to remain competitive. Some of you see shadows instead of opportunities.

Sounds like another 'usual suspect' with sour grapes. Sad to be you.

It's very important who owns the land and what he might beset to gain by yet another very 'convienant' project. Perhaps the land might eventually default to the crown, wouldn't that be sad.

...way beyond idiotic. Planning for that airport started 40 years ago. Get a grip on reality instead of seeing conspiracy at every turn.

Careful, your putting your foot in your own mouth.

[Prbkk]

Thailand want to become a transport and logistics hub. It could be successful in that but the airport needs to be expanded no matter who owns the land. Acquisition of the land would have been a strategic investment, at significant cost. I don't care who owns it, so long as it was acquired legitimately. Thailand needs infrastructure projects like this one rather than tokenistis free hot dogs at the zoo.

[neverdie]

Thailand want to become a transport and logistics hub. It could be successful in that but the airport needs to be expanded no matter who owns the land. Acquisition of the land would have been a strategic investment, at significant cost. I don't care who owns it, so long as it was acquired legitimately. Thailand needs infrastructure projects like this one rather than tokenistis free hot dogs at the zoo.

You seem to be pushing this case fairly hard.....wonder why that would be?

[Basil B]

Mr. Mekhanin said the panel advised the airport authorities to "reconsider" the plan and make it more transparent.

​Make it clear who is being paid for what, obviously the Shinawatra cronies who bought up land knowing it would be needed for the airport should be forced to sell it a realistic price.

[Mr Yim]

Some of the usual suspects focus on trivia. So what if it's archival image...those events set in place the problems facing Thailand today and not one of those responsible has been held accountable. And who cares who owns the land. The airport has to expand if it is to remain competitive. Some of you see shadows instead of opportunities.

Well for starters you would be the first one to comment on the appropriateness of a photo if the article was about Jatuporn furthering the the cause of the grass roots red shirt movement. See below. One is appropriate for the OP and one is not. If the non appropriate one was used would you suggest the newspaper that printed it had an agenda?

Yawn

[Cuchulainn]

Some of the usual suspects focus on trivia. So what if it's archival image...those events set in place the problems facing Thailand today and not one of those responsible has been held accountable. And who cares who owns the land. The airport has to expand if it is to remain competitive. Some of you see shadows instead of opportunities.

Well for starters you would be the first one to comment on the appropriateness of a photo if the article was about Jatuporn furthering the the cause of the grass roots red shirt movement. See below. One is appropriate for the OP and one is not. If the non appropriate one was used would you suggest the newspaper that printed it had an agenda?

Well said, that man!

[webfact]

AoT delays Suvarnabhumi airport expansion
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, July 3 -- Airports of Thailand (AoT) postponed its expansion of Suvarnabhumi airport as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) was examining the project cost.

In the meantime, it would increase the capacity of Don Mueang airport instead.

AoT president Makin Petplai said as the NCPO committee on the examination of government spending told AoT to review the cost of its second-phase Suvarnabhumi airport project, the agency had to postpone the project although it was in the process of finding a construction supervisor and opening bids.

However, Mr Makin insisted that the second-phase Suvarnabhumi airport project was necessary because Suvarnabhumi airport had to handle 51 million passengers annually, above its original capacity of serving 45 million people a year.

AoT planned to start the expansion this December and open the expanded section of the airport in late 2016 or early 2017 with the combined capacity of handling 60 million passengers per year.

For the time being, Mr Makin said, AoT would instead improve Don Mueang airport to deal with the soaring number of air passengers.

Don Mueang airport was expected to serve 18 million passengers this year and its improvement will raise the capacity to more than 30 million passengers per year.

Mr Maksin added that the number of air passengers at AOT airports should grow by 2-3 per cent this year, compared with 9.5 per cent last year, while that at airports in Asia and the Pacific would increase by 6.5 per cent. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-07-03

[Mr Yim]

Considering the Coup was a reaction to the violence and was not planned, an awful lot projects have been cancelled and policies implemented in a remarkably short time. A cynic may question whether General P was perhaps being economical with the truth with his continued denials. I, on the other hand, like so many other members on Thaivisa, believe everything General P and the Junta say.

Khob khun khrap

[OnTheRun]

Interesting to note that that so reliable media medium Khaosod has used an archived image the depicts the yellow shirts occupation of the airport

I wonder why they should do that, surely not an attempt to distort the truth is it?

Oh and another question who owns the greater majority of the land surrounding Suvarnabhumi Airport ?

Now there regarding the land ownership question being clarified we may well be able to understand why the proposed expansion is being halted.

With respect to the land ownership around the airport I was of the impression the extension (new domestic terminal) would be well within the existing boundaries to the south of the main terminal buildings and reached by means of an underground through way. There already is a roadway (with permanently closed gates) that goes underground to the south of the terminal. I've always assumed (perhaps wrongly) this was an already built link to the proposed new terminal for baggage handling.

[Cadan]

Makes sense to use the old airport. Every larger city in the world has at least 2 airports. Nothing wrong with it although the new airport has already been amortized with the 700 Baht airport tax for the past 8 years. With all the projects going on around BKK and full employment it can definitely wait

[djjamie]

Some of the usual suspects focus on trivia. So what if it's archival image...those events set in place the problems facing Thailand today and not one of those responsible has been held accountable. And who cares who owns the land. The airport has to expand if it is to remain competitive. Some of you see shadows instead of opportunities.

Well for starters you would be the first one to comment on the appropriateness of a photo if the article was about Jatuporn furthering the the cause of the grass roots red shirt movement. See below. One is appropriate for the OP and one is not. If the non appropriate one was used would you suggest the newspaper that printed it had an agenda?

Yawn

I see your cutting intellect at work again with your in depth analysis on my post.

It is funny that when ever a 15 principle supporter writes a well articulated, factual post or in this case a stark comparison that shows the ignorance and hypocrisy of some it is never rebutted on a meaningful, factual or articulate level. It is only ever replied to with a nonsense condensation that add nothing to the forum.

Don't get me wrong. I love it when I am alluded too as tiring and being called a fascist, a thug, uninformed, ignorant, stupid, crazy and most other belittling words by some TVF members. I love it because I know THAT reply shows to me that I am right and my inconvenient truths have frustrated you suffocating you to the point of a one word reply in the final last gasp. "yawn" WOW!

If I was not right you would reply with an articulate, factual post to highlight why I was wrong.

There is only one thing you highlight when you reply with "yawn" and it ain't that you're tired!!!

[bangarang]

How about connecting the two airports with the airport link train. That would be very be amazing.

[djjamie]

Thailand want to become a transport and logistics hub. It could be successful in that but the airport needs to be expanded no matter who owns the land. Acquisition of the land would have been a strategic investment, at significant cost. I don't care who owns it, so long as it was acquired legitimately. Thailand needs infrastructure projects like this one rather than tokenistis free hot dogs at the zoo.

Taking a step back I ask one thing.

When the airport was in planning stages was the 8400 acres of land enough land to allow for further expansion? In other words if they do expand, do they even need to buy more land. If they do need to buy more land is it public land or private land?

The below simulation of what the expansion would look like seems to be contained within the confines of the current airport land meaning no land will be bought to expand. I have also included the airport now as a comparison.

Hot dogs anyone?

[bra]

As I understand it the expansion plans call for a new satellite terminal with 28 parking gates/bays to be constructed on airport land between the two existing runways, to the south of the existing passenger terminal. There is more land on the airport if additional expansion is needed, and there is room for an additional close spaced parallel runway on the western side of the airport. There is no need for additional land to be acquired.

[OnTheRun]

How about connecting the two airports with the airport link train. That would be very be amazing.

It would indeed, something that even London hasn't managed to pull off, have you ever tried LHR - LGW bus connections along the M25 at rush hour? Even if you try to take the train in London you are forced to connect Paddington to Victoria or vice versa.

[OnTheRun]

As I understand it the expansion plans call for a new satellite terminal with 28 parking gates/bays to be constructed on airport land between the two existing runways, to the south of the existing passenger terminal. There is more land on the airport if additional expansion is needed, and there is room for an additional close spaced parallel runway on the western side of the airport. There is no need for additional land to be acquired.

There already looks like what used to be a runway on the western edge of Swampy. I'm not sure if it would be too close to the existing western runway though.

[spidermike007]

Let us hope this has to do with the Generals uncovering improper contracts, funding, etc. We all know how the contract process works here. They seem to be tired of the corruption, and business as usual. Maybe they see this as a way of avoiding the bloated contracts that are part of the cockroaches getting tens or hundreds of millions of baht in payoffs. Lets hope.

[Etherus]

I transit through there at least once a month. All I can say is it is probably the most expensive airport in South East Asia and the overall facilities are abysmal.