Major problems at Don Muang soon

[BuffHello]

Rush of VIPs could clog up Don Muang

 

BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA In The Bangkok Post 24th May

 

Airlines and airport officials are working on contingency plans to

minimise the effects of heavy air traffic expected when foreign VIPs

arrive en masse to celebrate His Majesty the King's 60th year on the

throne next month. Industry sources said it was not an easy task since

the arrival and departure times of those flights, which require high

security and temporary closure of air space over Bangkok International

Airport, are not known until the last minute.

 

Don Muang, Southeast Asia's busiest airport, is already heavily

congested with one flight taking off or landing every minute during

peak hours. Sixty international airlines operate from the facility.

 

It is not unusual for flights to be delayed, in the sky or on the

tarmac, for 15-30 minutes.

 

Don Muang has for several years exceeded its rated capacity of 36.5

million passengers a year.

 

Depending on the status of the flight, up to 30-45 minutes would be

required to clear air space and ready airport security prior to the

landing and departure of foreign monarchs and their spouses from 14

states attending the royal celebrations to be held on June 9.

 

Monarchs from Brunei, Swaziland, Monaco, Japan, Lesotho, Nepal, Sweden,

Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malaysia and Cambodia are

scheduled to attend.

 

Sending delegates to the event are the royal families of the

Netherlands, Liechtenstein, Bhutan, Denmark, the United Kingdom,

Norway, Spain, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, Tonga, Saudi Arabia

and Morocco.

[lembeh]

 

Of course the *simple* solution is to open that brand spanking new airport they have built half way to pattaya - just for the VIP's....hahahahahaha

-j-

[Guest lazyphil]

<<Sending delegates to the event are the royal families of the

Netherlands, Liechtenstein, Bhutan, Denmark, the United Kingdom,>>

 

 

so QE 2nd wont be there in person ::, must be a corgi fanciers show at sandringham that day ::

[FAT_AUSSIE]

They should just get two or three planes and do a round up, sort of like car pooling.

[limbo]

Monarchs from Swaziland, Lesotho, Nepal, Luxembourg are

scheduled to attend.

 

Nice excuse to go for a trip to Thailand.

[samak]

shit, i am flying in friday 9. evening!!

anybody know when the monarchs arrive; everybody in his private jet or what?

reminds me of APAC a few years back when GWB and many other presidents and prime ministers flew into bankgok at the same time. i went intentionaly on a 2 weeks trip outside thailand.

anybody remember how bad it was at Don Muang and in the City?

[..]

Fark! Me too. I'll be in Delhi from the 2nd til the 7th! Are they coming early or right on the 9th?

 

Shit! There is no way I want to extend my trip in India. Maybe I'll take SQ and layover a long weekend in Sillypore.

 

Cheers,

SD

[BuffHello]

he Bangkok Post 25th May

 

Suvarnabhumi Airport to open before October

 

Caretaker Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal confirmed that

Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi Airport would be opened for commercial

services before the high season would begin in October.

 

He said the Board on Suvarnabhumi Airport Development is unlikely to

set a schedule for the opening of the airport for commercial services

at its meeting on Thursday because there is a delay in certain

construction works.

 

However, officials concerned would accelerate the construction to

ensure readiness for the opening of the airport services as soon as

possible, he noted.

 

He said the ministry would attempt to have the airport opened prior to

October when a large number of tourists would arrive in Thailand

because it is the high season.

 

In that period, a number of flights will increase significantly, making

it difficult to manage the new airport.

 

It must take some time for the airport to accommodate the large number

of passengers.

 

Mr. Pongsak said the airport's commercial services would take place

along with the ''soft opening'' ceremony for the transfer of

flight operation services from the Don Muang Airport to the

Suvarnabhumi Airport.

 

The grand opening ceremony of the airport could be officially set when

the high season ends, the minister said. (TNA)

[BuffHello]

on 1 occasion i was stacked over BKK for 35-40mins due to the Indonesian president coming or going ,not sure which.

the pax were getting very twitchy .dont planes normally carry enough to destination plus 45mins of fuel for emergencies?

with todays prices they dont carry excess fuel

[kojis]

hhmmm... expecting to transit in Don Muang on 10 or 11th morning, had planned to sip through some fine booze in the F lounge waiting for the connection to some further thirld world paradise... but how bad does it look now? Actually gave up the BKK stopover coz of the king's birthday but don't want to end up stranded in any airport coz of other VIPs... or will the Swaziland bugger drop a few of his brides for a couple of hours in the lounge?. Anyone can Forsee the mess ?