Official opening of new Suvarnabhumi Airport likely to postpone

BANGKOK, Dec 22 (TNA) - The government has not yet set the exact date for the official opening of Bangkok's new international airport, the Suvarnabhumi Airport, as the airport's inauguration for commercial purposes is likely to be postponed from June 2006, the Ministry of Transport announced here on Wednesday.

Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal told journalists that all construction works and overall system check-ups of the airport would be completed by May 31, 2006 as scheduled, when the new airport would also be granted a licence for running commercial aviation services.

However, the exact date for the official opening of the new airport had not yet been set, he said.

"There will be many significant events in June next year, including state and nationwide events to celebrate the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's ascension to the throne which need attentions and well preparations. The government is, therefore, not yet be able to set the exact date for the commercial inauguration of the Suvarnabhumi Airport," he noted.

The Thai government earlier planned to officially open the Second Bangkok International Airport in June next year.

A meeting of a government committee in charge of developing the new airport which was scheduled to be held here on December 28 and chaired by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra himself could not also set the exact date for the airport's inauguration, he said.

"It is likely that the official opening of the Suvarnabhumi Airport will be postponed from June 2006," conceded the transport minister.

"The government will later announce its official opening date to the public," he added. (TNA)--E002