Private Managers for Don Mueang Airport

The private sector will be allowed to manage Don Mueang airport in the future in order to make the best use of existing infrastructure, says Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

The premier made the comment yesterday at a meeting on the Government's medium and longer term investment plans.

He said the ninety four year-old airport could be run to serve international flights alongside Suvarnabhumi Airport, or developed as aircraft maintenance centre.

Ever since Suvarnabhumui opened in September 2006, successive Governments have been debating how best to use Don Mueang. The aviation industry has expressed frustration over policymakers' inability to decide whether the capital should have one international airport or two.

International Flights back on agenda too

"The two Bangkok international airports may be allowed to compete with each other in offering aviation services both for domestic and international flights," said Mr Abhisit. "But Suvarnabhumi airport must have its priority in air traffic."

The Government may also need to develop a mass-transit project to link Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, he added. The Airport Link from central Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi is two years behind schedule but is now undergoing final tests and is expected to start running this year.

In any case, said Mr Abhisit, Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) should establish a new business unit to manage Don Mueang.

The premier met yesterday with Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum, Deputy PM Trairong Suwankhiri, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij and others to discuss speeding up logistics development and to review future infrastructure development plans covering rail, road, air and marine transport.

Mr Korn said the ministers at the meeting agreed the Government needed to set priorities for investment projects and the relevant budget planning for the next five years.

The investment funds would come either from the Government, state enterprises, foreign loans or public-private partnerships.

Mr Korn said the Government was preparing to invest heavily in rail systems including a high-speed train network.

The National Economic and Social Development Board has already completed a feasibility study on the first high-speed route, with studies on the other four routes likely to be completed over the next three weeks.

The first high-speed train is likely to run between Bangkok and Rayong to serve growing demand on the Eastern Seaboard.

The Transport Ministry late last year proposed a long-term plan for four-high-speed rail routes: Bangkok to Chiang Mai (754 km), to Nong Khai (615 km), to Chanthaburi (330 km), and to Padang Besar (985 km).

Source : The Bangkok Post