Thai Airways International began moving more than 40 items of equipment from Don Muang to Suvarnabhumi Airport yesterday amid protests from its labour union.

Thai Airways International Plc yesterday began moving equipment from Don Muang international airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport to be ready to start domestic services there on September 15, while its labour union continued to protest against the early launch.

More than 200 THAI union members yesterday gathered in front of the airline's headquarters to protest against the government's plan to have domestic flights operate out of the airport before its official launch on September 28.

"They want to please the politicians by forcing us to fly from that date. We are not experimental mice. The launch of domestic flights will only create more confusion for employees and the general public," a union representative said.

The representatives said the union would continue to oppose the launch of domestic flights on September 15.

A number of budget airlines have already said they would not be ready to operate domestic flights from the new airport by that date.

THAI president Apinan Sumanaseni said that as a national carrier, THAI had to use the airport before the commercial opening date so that it could prepare for any problems from operating at the new location.

Trailer trucks yesterday moved more than 40 items of equipment to the new airport, most of them for aircraft maintenance. Five trailers are being used to transport the equipment, and the transfer is expected to be completed by early October.

Banloo Varasarin, a THAI employee in charge of moving the equipment, said loaded trailers started leaving from Don Muang airport from noon yesterday. They are travelling to the new airport via the Vibhavadi-Rangsit highway, Ram Indra Road, and the outer ring road. Each trip takes between an hour and 45 minutes and two hours.

He said THAI would try to avoid creating traffic congestion by not transporting equipment during rush hours.

Caretaker Transport Minister Pongsak Ruktapongpisal yesterday reiterated that Suvarnabhumi Airport would be ready to open for commercial services on September 28.

His affirmation comes on the heels of former prime minister and Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silpa-archa's suggestion to postpone the opening of the airport.

Pongsak said the new airport was ready for service and the Don Muang airport was already crowded.

He conceded there might be some initial problems with the transfer of equipment, but this was considered usual when moving operations to a new location.

Unless the new airport is opened now, various systems and equipment already in place would start deteriorating, Pongsak said.

"If the airport is not opened for services now, I want to ask when and for whom it will be opened. The airport is like a house. It has been completely constructed and decorated. Now it is the stage of moving in the residents and household stuff," he said.