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

[GAZZPA]

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.

It absolutely matters who owns the land. When you are spending huge amounts of tax payers money you need complete transparency, that is what is being asked for. I don't think anyone would disagree that the airport needs to explained but it needs to do so spending the right amount of money with no whiff of corruption.

If the land for example was owned by a company and that company had a sleeping partner who was part of the decision making process on how much the land should be bought for then it is clearly an issue. These kind of things have gone on in the past with very favorable land prices being either bought or sold by people in power… I am sure I don't need to say anymore.

I hope that these things are genuine and that current ruling power really do implement reform and weed out the corrupt.

[rickirs]

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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.

If there are opportunities to be had, why did the NCPO order the expansion plans shelved, apparently for the lack of transparency? it didn't order a review of the plans or a re-evaluation of justification - just shelved the project. Period. Maybe NCPO should come out of the shadows and explain specifcially its objections.

[arisaje]

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.

The Suvarnabhumi airport extension for terminal two is planned to be built within the existing land anyway behind terminal one, between the two main runways. So land ownership isn't an issue......its probably the construction parties that were awarded the work that need to be scrutinised.

[Mr Yim]

What some people fail to grasp, is to "legitimise" the coup, the junta have to demonise the government they have removed and bring charges against all those who may pose threat to its agenda. Needless to say all will be found guilty, as Thaksin was in 2006, and whereas, many people will blindly believe everything they are told, thankfully, the international community act as a check and are not so foolhardy.

[Lozza]

Another 2 kilometers to get to the boarding gates..can't wait.

[AleG]

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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.

If there are opportunities to be had, why did the NCPO order the expansion plans shelved, apparently for the lack of transparency? it didn't order a review of the plans or a re-evaluation of justification - just shelved the project. Period. Maybe NCPO should come out of the shadows and explain specifcially its objections.

Obviously you didn't read past Khaosod's tendentious opening paragraph because after that it clearly says:

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

Propagandists thank you for your lack of effort.

[ratcatcher]

What some people fail to grasp, is to "legitimise" the coup, the junta have to demonise the government they have removed and bring charges against all those who may pose threat to its agenda. Needless to say all will be found guilty, as Thaksin was in 2006, and whereas, many people will blindly believe everything they are told, thankfully, the international community act as a check and are not so foolhardy.

"...........the junta have to demonise the government they have removed................"

I don't think General Prayuth and his junta boys need to spend much time demonizing the previous government.

As for the current evidence on hand regarding the rice pledging and failure to properly budget for payment to farmers and all the other failed policies like tablets, first time car buyers etc, I think the PTP and all involved did a damn fine job of demonizing themselves.

[Trouble]

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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.

Thank you for posting. Whether accurate or not it really just goes to show that no one here knows what they are talking about. As usual all the conjecture about this and that with no information whatsoever. Since the OP never defined what airport expansion was to be halted no one really knows what they are talking about and just making a lot of noise about land ownership, corruption, etc. Give it a rest please. Like most newspaper postings on TV, there is never enough information given to make arguing about the OP worth the time.

There is no such thing as investigative reporting in Thailand. If there was decent reporting we could all have more intelligent arguments. The newspapers could be doing so much for the people but the laws on slander are so against the norm that newspapers can never get out the truth or even question activities of government officials.

[Johpa]

I am of the opinion that the Junta are trying to root out corruption here and that is why the project has been suspended. I know first hand how things operate there. This is hopefully a good thing provided any "funny money" dosent find its way into other persons pockets!!!

Looking at the planned development it seems that a remote concourse will be constructed to allow the additional passenger throughput. I don't see that any additional land take outside the current airport perimeter would be required.

Basically the planned expansion is required and appears to be good for the Airport and Thailand. I hope the project is restructured/retendered and goes ahead soon otherwise Thailand will lose their edge in this market.

The Junta are not interested in rooting out corruption per se. They are trying to decapitate the Thaksin faction's power structure so that it may not rise again. That is why we are seeing selective enforcement of anti-corruption laws and seeing perhaps some selective use of rational thinking as it does not make rational sense to expand Suwannaphum when Don Muang is grossly underutilized.

Edited July 3, 2014 by Johpa

[rubl]

The OP has

"Mekhanin Petchplai, a managing director of Airports of Thailand, vowed to push ahead with the plan and finish the extension by late 2015"

Then a wee bit later #19 has

"AoT planned to start the expansion this December and open the expanded section of the airport in late 2016 or early 2017"

Might it be that these moving dates are a reason for the

"the panel advised the airport authorities to "reconsider" the plan and make it more transparent"

[nithisa78]

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.

Who do you think you are. Not a question. You wouldn't know the answer.

[northernjohn]

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.

Yes they will eventually need expansion. How ever why should a convicted criminal on the run from the law benefit from it. He knew the land would be needed when he had his wife and maid and other employs buy it.

Buy it back at the same price that it was acquired at. Also make sure none of the original contractors are involved in the construction. there is a new sheriff in town and you are not going to like him. He is against corruption.

[northernjohn]

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Ignoring the land issue, there is a lot to be said for a review of AOT's plans for Swampy.

Let's not forget the corruption surrounding the original construction and the handing out of concessions at the start. The scanner purchase was riddled with corruption, the main duty free concession handed to a PTP-linked company who even afterwards tried (& succeeded) in blackmailing visitors for 'stealing'. The car parking concession was handed to a red-shirt linked group who even fought among themselves to join the gravy train.

So, it is absolutely correct to review the AOT plans and endeavour to include some level of transparency in contracts for the necessary expansion work.

See answer below

There is nothing "trivial" about emotive headlines and images. They start wars with such propaganda.
They are patently being used to bend readers perception.

Nor is it only about the land per se. The NCPO are going after the lice who have been raping the public purse item by item,

And so far are doing a damn fine job..Go get the b...t..ds.

There is a new sheriff in town happy days are here again.

Good by you corruption lovers hello justice.

Just like the Santa Clause. He is making a list and checking it twice so you better watch out. for lawbreakers.

Let me tell you how I feel for you.

[northernjohn]

Lets hope NCPO is not penny wise and pound foolish as the next few years will see supercharged growth in tourists as more people get more affluence. Aviation experts are projecting a 6.3% growth in travelers next 5 years with an additional 300 million travelers and the bulk will be from China. More than 8,000 new planes will be fielded next few years and most bought by airlines in Asia. NCPO are not expert in this field and should not made decision without seeking expert opinions.

Well you could be on to some thing there.

Have you any idea which country to go to for it?

Are history tells us that any one associated with a Thaksin owned party is useless except for knowing how to skim money off it.

[AleG]

I am of the opinion that the Junta are trying to root out corruption here and that is why the project has been suspended. I know first hand how things operate there. This is hopefully a good thing provided any "funny money" dosent find its way into other persons pockets!!!

Looking at the planned development it seems that a remote concourse will be constructed to allow the additional passenger throughput. I don't see that any additional land take outside the current airport perimeter would be required.

Basically the planned expansion is required and appears to be good for the Airport and Thailand. I hope the project is restructured/retendered and goes ahead soon otherwise Thailand will lose their edge in this market.

The Junta are not interested in rooting out corruption per se. They are trying to decapitate the Thaksin faction's power structure so that it may not rise again. That is why we are seeing selective enforcement of anti-corruption laws and seeing perhaps some selective use of rational thinking as it does not make rational sense to expand Suwannaphum when Don Muang is grossly underutilized.

An opinion based on prejudice rather than facts.

For example the crackdown on the Phucket taxi mafia demostrates that they are going after corruption and not just after Thaksin's network.

Of course since that network is a den of crooks there's going to be a lot of Thaksinites targeted.

[Johpa]

The Junta are not interested in rooting out corruption per se. They are trying to decapitate the Thaksin faction's power structure so that it may not rise again. That is why we are seeing selective enforcement of anti-corruption laws and seeing perhaps some selective use of rational thinking as it does not make rational sense to expand Suwannaphum when Don Muang is grossly underutilized.

An opinion based on prejudice rather than facts.

For example the crackdown on the Phucket taxi mafia demostrates that they are going after corruption and not just after Thaksin's network.

Of course since that network is a den of crooks there's going to be a lot of Thaksinites targeted.

An opinion yes, clearly. But not based upon any prejudice as my postings over the past several years clearly demonstrate that I have not taken any side in the political bickering between the two major factions. Not having visited Phuket since 1981, I have no knowledge of the local factors regading taxis down on that island, but I see no word of returning Nai Harn beach back to the public domain. And I have yet to see any actions taken against high ranking military officers regarding skimming large amounts off of military contracts. So yes, my opinion remains that there is selective enforcement regarding anti-corruption laws.

[oldsailor35]

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.

You cannot distort the truth that yellow shirt terrorists invaded the international airport and shut it down. This was an act of terrorism which effected travellers across the world and should be seen for what it was. An act of terrorism.

[oldsailor35]

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?

Common sense i guess, but it appears that this is beyond your thinking !

[oldsailor35]

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.

This is probably the answer. There are a few in the right places who were just waiting to skim off their share of the allocated money ! Perhaps the General now wants to see some down to earth honest accounting. Good on him !

[oldsailor35]

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.

Yes they will eventually need expansion. How ever why should a convicted criminal on the run from the law benefit from it. He knew the land would be needed when he had his wife and maid and other employs buy it.

Buy it back at the same price that it was acquired at. Also make sure none of the original contractors are involved in the construction. there is a new sheriff in town and you are not going to like him. He is against corruption.

WOW! is this a fact and how did you find out.

[oldsailor35]

When a government in Australia needs a particular piece of land for an important project. They can put out a "Compulsary Purchase Order" they will pay just what they think is fair and nothing more. There is nothing that the owners can do about it . That is whats needed in cases like this in Thailand. This will stop the land grabbers in their tracks ! No demanding ten times what they paid for it.

[wingman662]

Swampy is a huge Airport as it is. There is no point extending until they can run with what they already have, staffing levels and time management is one area that could be improved no end.

[whybother]

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.

There will be no new land acquired for the airport. The expansion is for new terminals and runways on existing airport land.

... sent from my phone.

[kerrysum]

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

I would suggest, you study a little history.... Most all of your smaller airports, and yes Don Muang, were built correctly. So in the latest Airport, what family bought up all surrounding properties, before this newest International Airport? Hint, He lives in Dubai right now. Number 2? Don Muang, was a perfect airport modelEasiest I ever flew into. (and out of) New airport has many fiascos, over the years, do you remember? Runways that didn't allow flights to land, because of inferior Tarmacs? Just a thought.... kilosierra

[ericthai]

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

Try reading the article again, they said they will reconsider the project when it is more transparent. Sounds like it's possible for too much money to dissapear and they want to know exactly where money is being spent.

[ericthai]

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

I would suggest, you study a little history.... Most all of your smaller airports, and yes Don Muang, were built correctly. So in the latest Airport, what family bought up all surrounding properties, before this newest International Airport? Hint, He lives in Dubai right now. Number 2? Don Muang, was a perfect airport modelEasiest I ever flew into. (and out of) New airport has many fiascos, over the years, do you remember? Runways that didn't allow flights to land, because of inferior Tarmacs? Just a thought.... kilosierra

I agree Don Muang was a good airport, never had to walk two miles to get to a gate.

[whybother]

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

I would suggest, you study a little history.... Most all of your smaller airports, and yes Don Muang, were built correctly. So in the latest Airport, what family bought up all surrounding properties, before this newest International Airport? Hint, He lives in Dubai right now. Number 2? Don Muang, was a perfect airport modelEasiest I ever flew into. (and out of) New airport has many fiascos, over the years, do you remember? Runways that didn't allow flights to land, because of inferior Tarmacs? Just a thought.... kilosierra

I agree Don Muang was a good airport, never had to walk two miles to get to a gate.

That's because it was so small and cramped.

[tomloughney]

Swampy has 51 million passengers/yr and the old airport has 12 million so the total is 63 million. 51 million is one takeoff or landing every 2 min, 18 hours a day, 365 days a year with 300 passengers/plane. Seems high to me.

[londonthai]

So far there was no any plans to develop don muang. In fact, there were long debates whether it should be a passenger airport at all, only for cargo, special and emergency flights or, the most, charter.

Airorce pushed their interests through, got the government to reopen it.

The fact is, now this port is very close to the sprawling city, noice and air polution has a big impact on locals. Near dubling it's capacity from 18 to 30mln will recreate problems, for which don muan was closed down 8 years ago.

Edited July 4, 2014 by londonthai

[Ricardo]

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.

When the airport was first mooted, ownership of the surrounding land was the subject of widespread comment - all 'well connected' names close to Mr. T. While the actual land that the airport is built on was not so owned, the value of the surrounding land shot up after the project was announced - as commonly happens when such a large new facility is established given demand for logistics hubs etc.

Ironically the gain has already been banked and given the size of the site, an airport expansion should be possible without much if any additional land being needed.

That is just incorrect. The land was purchased in 1973 and the site had been under consideration since 1962. I very much doubt that Thaksin played any role in that ( and not even his most rabid critics could claim it). The last time the army came out they used allegations of corruption at the airport as part of the justification, supported by a campaign by The Nation. Every single claim made in that series of articles was proven to be false and The Nation had to concede as much in the retractions it was forced to make.

Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.

I believe you are correct, but wasn't it Mr Thaksin and his government around 2005 promoting the "Aerotropolis" idea around Swampy. Many wealthy people joined the "landrush" soon after.

A place where communities and factories would coexist all under the harmonious roaring of Airbuses and Dreamliners.

The only problem with that idea was half the existing communities near the airport were suing for noise pollution and other pains.

IIRC it was even planned to create a new province, surrounding the supposed hub of Thai/S.E.Asian aviation, that would certainly have helped property-prices in the area !