Update on Progress at Thailand's Suvarnabhumi Airport

Thai Airways International's Senior Executive Vice President, Corporate Planning and Information Technology Services Department said today that the Thai government plans to create a “new town” in the vicinity of Suvarnabhumi, with a policy for the Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited to provide a temporary housing plan for those who will be working at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in every function.

The Thai government also plans to build “Suvarnabhumi City” with a complete transportation system and all facilities. In order to support the migration plan of the Airports of Thailand, THAI has engaged the services of a group of professional staff from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to prepare a master plan for the readiness of migration. In addition, THAI signed an agreement with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand to be responsible for the re-location of THAI’s equipment to the new airport.

Furthermore, ACM. Narongsak Sangapong, THAI's Executive Vice President, Special Project, said that THAI has made progress with the readiness of human resources and the affect on staff by the migration. THAI hired Assumption University (ABAC) to study the factors effecting the migration and employees’ satisfaction for work relocation as well as their opinions and understanding of the migration to Suvarnabhumi Airport. Following the survey and results of staff opinion on accommodation, the THAI Club was appointed to oversee the selection of real estate developments to build high quality houses which can offer exclusive benefits and facilities for THAI staff.

Currently, the company that THAI hired to study and provide planning for staff transportation has designed a bus route which can best facilitate employees within Bangkok and provincial areas. The design includes the “Bus Station to Station” with main stops interchangeable with the existing mass transportation system and “Park and Ride” concept for easy transfer between main stops, such as Don Muang and THAI’s Head Office with the Express transfer to directly connect these main  stations with Suvarnabhumi Airport. Other transportation facilities will include transfer from staff housing to the main bus stops. It is anticipated that the planning will be concluded in March 2005 in order to assist the decision making of staff on housing arrangements.

As for progress on the construction of each activity, Mr. Chokchai Panyayong, THAI's Vice President, Project Development, said that as of 4 January 2005, the overall progress in designing and constructing THAI’s buildings under the six activities is at 76.7% completion. The construction progress of the Cargo and Mail Commercial building is at 76.5%; the Catering Services  building is at 85.3%; the Operations Center building is at 42.9%; the Aircraft Maintenance Center building is at 80.2% and Ground Support Equipment Services building is at 75.9%. The design of THAI’s buildings for the six activities will synchronize with the design of the main terminal at the new airport. In addition, THAI also took into consideration the environmental friendly concept to help save energy. Most of the materials used for the construction of these buildings are from Thailand in order to support local products. The construction of THAI’s activities buildings is scheduled to be finished by March 2005 for system testing and completed by 29 September 2005.

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