ID :
215910
Sun, 11/20/2011 - 09:32
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/215910
The shortlink copeid
Suvarnabhumi Airport Won’t Be Hit By Flood: FROC
BANGKOK, November 20 (TNA) - In an attempt to allay fears on persisting flooding problem among prospective foreigners wishing to travel to Thailand, the government-run Flood Relief Operations Command (FROC) Sunday reiterated that Suvarnabhumi International Airport officials have mapped out anti-flood measures and the airport would not be impacted by the natural disaster.
The assurance on the safety of the airport which is located in Bangkok’s neighbouring province of Samut Prakan was given jointly by FROC spokesman Thongtong Chantrangsu, Somchai Sawasdeepon, senior executive vice president of Airports of Thailand Public Co., Ltd. (AoT), in his capacity as director of Suvarnabhumi International Airport, and Surapol Sawetseranee, governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Somchai told a press conference that airport authorities have been closely monitoring the flood problem in the country despite assurances given by officials that dams are strong enough to store water while floodwaters have also started receding.
Somchai said he has informed concerned officials in overseas that tourists could travel to Thailand like before although Don Mueang domestic airport is now under floodwaters.
Repairs on Don Mueang Airport could be made after its runways are completely dried and the repair could take between two and three months. The FROC has initially given 490 million baht for the repair while spending on it would be about one billion baht. The AoT would pay for the rest, he said.
TAT governor Surapol said Belgium would send 20 women who would contest in the upcoming Miss Belgium beauty contest to hold activities in the northern capital of Chiang Mai. The campaign is aimed at boosting confidence among foreign tourists that Thailand is ready to welcome them.
It is estimated that the flood problem would lower about 300,000 tourists from visiting Thailand this year from an earlier government’s projection, causing the country to lose approximately 15 billion baht. (TNA)