**New airport opening likely to be postponed again
**
Bangkok Post (22 December 2005)
The opening of the new Suvarnabhumi Airport is unlikely to meet its second deadline of June, 2006, and probably will be postponed again, the official Thai News Agency reported today.
“It is likely that the official opening of the Suvarnabhumi Airport will be postponed from June 2006,” conceded Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal. “The government will later announce its official opening date to the public.”
TNA quoted Mr Pongsak Raktapongpaisal as saying the government has not yet set a third date for the official opening. But construction work and overall system check-ups of the New Bangkok International Airport airport would not be completed before next May 31, 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 attention and good preparation,” said the minister. “The government is therefore not yet able to set the exact date for commercial inauguration of the Suvarnabhumi Airport.”
The government earlier had said the airport would open on Sept 29, and insisted on making a token flight to the airport on that day. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra next announced it would open in June, but officials have only recently begun to say that deadline, too, would have to be put back.
Mr Pongsak’s statement today was the first official word that the government would also not be able to meet its second deadline.
A meeting of a government committee in charge of developing the new airport is scheduled for Dec 28, with Prime Minister Thaksin in the chair. A new opening date could be set then, the minister told journalists today.