ATTA calls for airport inspections
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) yesterday urged Airports of Thailand Plc to hold three inspection trips to Suvarnabhumi Airport for its members before full operations begin there next month.
The ATTA held a half-day seminar in Bangkok for hundreds of its members to learn about the new airport's facilities and allocated areas. The association has been raising questions recently over the readiness of the facilities and services. One member said Airports of Thailand (AOT) should organise at least three trips to the airport for tour operators, bus operators, tour guides and hotels and related hospitality services. "All these operators need to go there and see for themselves. We should start learning about where we are going to work, to park, to wait for groups and so on. We also need to know better how to get the new airport in order to prepare transportation," he said. The same operator said AOT should host two trips this month and one next month, ahead of the beginning of full operations at the airport on September 28. ATTA secretary-general Sangiam Ekachote said the association would work with AOT and related bodies such as the Immigration Department to prepare for full operations. Mussalin Sukkapattananarakul, the former president of the Domestic Travel Association, said AOT had not been proactive in carrying out public relations, promotions and activities for the airport. As a result, general travellers, both Thai and foreign, did not know much about it. "Tourists ask about the new airport, but I can't explain anything to them," said Mussalin. He also called on AOT to solve other problems such as disorderly taxi queues. AOT said it was busy improving services at the airport. For example, it said only taxis less than five years old and fitted with a GPS system would be allowed to operate near the airport. The firm is also working with the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority to provide six public bus services from the airport to the city centre. AOT will increase the airport tax on international flights from Bt500 to Bt700 on the day the airport opens. This will be combined with the price of tickets from February 1 next year. A Bt100 airport tax will be charged on domestic flights.
Suchat Sritama The Nation
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