Suvarnabhumi – What’s The Big Deal?
I read the papers today with relief, finding that I am not the only one scratching their head wondering why yesterdays ‘test’ flight is being treated like such an important event. Do people not realise that planes have already been landing there to test it out? Do they really think Thaksin wants to be the test?
When asked by a journalist from BBC News why he had to organise a test flight since the airport wasn’t even open until mid next year (many people expect that date to slip even further), Thaksin got a little upset, as he is wont to do when anyone dares question his logic, and gave one of his long-winded responses that didn’t really say anything other than that it was all a publicity stunt.
I hope it wasn’t at the tax-payers expense.
The Nation has a list of 7 reasons why the new airport should make it into the Guiness Book of Records:
- At 45 years, it’s the worlds longest running project of it’s kind
- It has the worlds tallest control tower. I’ve been up both of Sydney Airport’s control towers and thought they were pretty high, but the new one at Suvarnabhumi airport is absolutely monolithic!
- They have four (4, count ’em) of the largest runways in the world
- (this was a silly one about Thaksin)
- etc…
There were more but the point is that the new airport is something to be proud of and Thai people are right to feel that way. Now if it would just open…
I think Taksin lives in a fairy tale.
PM Taksin promised, as part of his election campain, that the airport would open ON TIME (yesterday).
Yesterday’s test flight was to show how “far along” the airport was, even though slipping far past deadlines. Many airlines still estimate at least another year before an actually opening. :(
taksin made many ridiculous promises. half of issan are still waiting for their free cows.
I dread the day this airport opens, it will take me longer to get to the airport than it will to get to koh samui.
dear ts.
please buy a roadmap.
best regards.
dear that guy.
you are almost as amusing as that ajarn.
peace and love.
i suppose i am amusing.
however i would rather be amusing than ignorant.
i suppose you are one of those who think you need to go to bang na to get to suvarnabhumi.
and just because i feel like educating you…
http://www.suvarnabhumiairport.com/en/location1en.php
no, i am one of those people conveniently situated on lower sukhumvit who it currently takes only 15-20 mins to get to Don Muang. 40 mins if there is BAD traffic.
It really couldn’t be much more convenient.
“the new airport is something to be proud of”.
Uh? It’s a bloody airport. A building. Not only that, it’s yet another example of Thailand desperatly attempting to be something it simply is not (in this case, the major transport hub of S.E.A) and making an arse of itself by utterly failing to perform. Attempting to fill a gap where, simply, there isn’t actually a need. Just look around the city – constantly scrapped and redesigned transport plans, underperforming MRTA and so on. The government needs to learn that building and talking big does not make you big. Look at the track record for this new airport – it’s hardly a confidence boost.
The region does not need BKK to be a “major hub” – it already has Singapore and KL and, slightly further afield, Hong Kong.
BKK is the busiest airport in Asia outside of Japan.
Yes, more passengers go through Don Muang annually than Changi, Chek Lap Kok or KLIA.
is ignorance really bliss or is this just a congregation of idiots?
It is a congregation of idiots, increased by 1 with you around, THAT GUY.
Worlds Airport Stats:
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/encyclopedia/w/wo/worlds_busiest_airport1.htm
Oh TS you repugnant little half-monkey. Perhaps if you had not found cause to comment on my good self I would never have found cause to return to the wonderful world of Bangkok commenting.
But now, here I am.
Welcome back THAT AJARN, even though I’m sure you meant that last comment for another post.
This is not directed solely at you, but how is it that others are able to present differing views or contradicting information without the need for such confrontations or insults.
Let’s all get along and see what the fruits of our combined opinions yield.
Mr Harris how about I tell you that I meant that last comment in reply to TS on this very topic – the fifth one from the top, pointedly. People around here may not comment in a manner you enjoy, but at least some of us check our facts before employing smarmy suggestions. Which is more than you do.
Personally I care not one jot what you would like – this is a public comment system and people will use it as they see fit. I would suggest that if you want to lead so much, you at least try and lead by example, rather than mistake otherwise we will all be missing capitals off our words.
THAT AJARN, I have little problem with your comments when they are about the actual post or in line with the thread of comments. If you want to carry on with your regular act, go for your life. Anyway, TS started the second paragraph with a capital, so some progress is better than none right?
All the hoopla about the airport seems to have disappeared now so we’ll have to wait until next year for more, unless another corruption scandal occurs (but even they only last a week or so).