Cabinet approves over $1.9 billion to develop Suvarnabhumi Airport

BANGKOK, Aug 24 - The Thai Cabinet on Tuesday approved a budget of Bt62 billion (1.9 billion) to fund the second phase of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport development as proposed by the Ministry of Transport.

Transport Minister Sophon Sarum speaking after the weekly Cabinet meeting said that construction of this phase was not required to undergo environmental and health impact assessments because the project did not include construction of the airport's third runway, which otherwise would have needed such the assessments.

The work for the second phase will cover construction of a tunnel
connecting a concourse and additional bays.

"Although some parts of the work were deleted and only the necessary parts are to be built, I believe it won't affect the airport's development. The runways we now have can support 76 flights daily, while there are currently only 40 flights using them day," said Mr Sophon.

Meanwhile, he said the transport ministry is studying the possibility of how to fully utilise Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport, and insisted there was no policy to close it down

He said the airport has been serving charter flights and its buildings
have been on the market as rental properties. (MCOT online news)