Thailand's government Monday ordered Bangkok's old airport to reopen after a series of infrastructural and management problems that have plagued the capital's new gateway, Suvarnabhumi Airport. After a crisis meeting on Monday, Transport Minister Admiral Thira Haocharoen made the decision that will see the old airport revert to its role of handling all domestic commercial flights.
This will mean that once again millions of tourists will arrive at the new international airport, but then be bussed to the old airport for flights to Thailand's popular vacation spots such as Phuket and Kho Samui. This plan adds at least two or more to the journey because the two airports are located about 32km apart.
The decision was taken to ease the burden on Suvarnabhumi, which is in urgent need of repairs to its runways, taxiways, and terminal buildings four months after its opening in September. Before the dirt was moved 15 years ago, there were warnings about building on dangerous swampland. Well documented and embarrassing management and infrastructural problems are being blamed on poor and rushed planning and corruption.
The new airport already has about 100 cracks in 25 of its taxiways and one of its two runways. Taxiway cracks closed 11 of the airport's 50 air bridges. Passengers must take buses to the terminal.
