Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi Airport is preparing to sign an accord with an American airport, Serirat Prasutanond, president of Airports of Thailand AoT said.
During a seminar Mr Serirat said that although Suvarnabhumi Airport, east of Bangkok in Samut Prakan province, ranks as the world’s 10th best international airport this year by Skytrax World Airport Awards, it would be difficult to improve the ranking.AoT will try to expand and improve its services and plans to sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between Suvarnabhumi an American airport as flights from Thailand to the US are considerable.
Suvarnabhumi Airport earlier signed sister airport agreements with South Korea’s Incheon International Airport, Japan’s Narita and Munich in Germany.Mr Serirat said the number of passengers using Suvarnabhumi services has returned to normal to between 105,000-110,000 daily after dropping about one per cent during the political turmoil in the country, ended in May after a military crackdown on anti-government protesters.Mr Serirat said he was optimistic that the number air passengers will increase during Thailands tourist high season, the last quarter of the year.
via Suvarnabhumi Airport to sign pact with US airport.
The Airport Authority of Thailand (AoT) on Wednesday approved additional measures at Bangkok’s two airports for airlines and entrepreneurs impacted by the recent political chaos.
AoT chairman and Independent Director Piyapan Champasut said the measures will apply to Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.
For all airlines and flights, take off and landing fees will be offered at a 15 per cent reduction, and aircraft fees will be for 50 per cent for nine months, effective during April-December this year.
Also, the payment period due for July to December 2010 is extended for another four months for the charges of take off and landing, aircraft, rental space and benefits. Thailand should take the opportunity during the next few years to strengthen its productivity and competitiveness so that when demand resumes, Thailand will be in a position to jump the band wagon of global recovery.
American officials said they were aware of some initial concerns from the Thai government that the programme could come across as a form of interference in Thailands domestic affairs.
However, said Olivier Carduner, the USAids Regional Mission Director, the programme will consult the Thai government on a regular basis as it has been over the past two years during the inception process. Michael Bak, USAids Senior Governance and Vulnerable Population Officer, said the progamme is looking to reach out to a wide range of stake holders, from community leaders and student groups to clerics and religious leaders.
On the sticky issue of reconciliation, the programme seek to strengthen grassroot initiatives that address the cause and consequences of the conflict and aims to build trust within communities and between citizens and the state.
USAid said their support for conflict management and reconciliation in the deep South addresses longstanding concerns within the local community and improves their ability to participate in the Thai political system, its institutions of governance, and the judiciary.
