The government yesterday launched a new international publicity blitz by showing off the ultra-modern and high-tech Suvarnabhumi Airport to members of the Bangkok-based diplomatic crops.

The multi-billion-dollar project is getting the final touches ahead of its commercial opening on September 28.

During a VIP tour of the new airport, Ignazio Di Pace, the Italian ambassador to Bangkok, said: "It's very nice, big and impressive, reflecting the growing importance of Thailand [in the global economy]. It will boost the tourism sector, business and industry here. The appearance or form is really impressive, but we'll have to see if it also functions impressively."

The new airport has been hailed as Asia's second largest, with an annual capacity of 45 million passengers and over three million tonnes of cargo. It is about five times larger than Don Muang airport, the country's major aviation gateway for the past four decades.

Srisook Chandrangsu, chairman of Airports of Thailand (AOT), said that Don Muang would be permanently closed for scheduled commercial flights on September 28.

"Chartered flights may use either Don Muang or Suvarnabhumi. Don Muang will also house a new pilot-training school. It will also serve small private aircraft. Its terminal buildings will be turned into exhibition halls," he said.

As for Suvarnabhumi, AOT is planning to build a new terminal for budget carriers whose business has been growing rapidly in the past few years.

As of yesterday, most of the facilities inside the passenger terminals appeared to be nearly ready for the commercial opening, even though some technicians were still busy working at some of the 460 check-in counters. At the

passport control section, new digital cameras have been installed at every counter to electronically match passport holders with photos stored on the immigration division's database.

There will be long stretches of shops and facilities catering to visitors in the various concourses. For instance, concourses B, D and F will have a one-kilometre long stretch of duty-free shops, while concourse G will be filled with entertainment outlets and services especially designed for transit passengers.

"For those who have to wait for five or six hours or longer, they may visit a movie theatre, a karaoke bar, a bowling alley, a traditional Thai massage parlour or a beauty salon," said an AOT official who asked not to be named.

David Guardia V, the ambassador of Panama, said Suvarnabhumi had pioneered a concept not yet seen at any other international airport in the world.

"Once you're here, the feel is rather different from other airports. I feel very good and feel free inside due to the good architectural design and internal structure. We'll have to see if it will also work efficiently and smoothly when it's open. I think it should help turn Thailand into an aviation centre in this region," he said.

Jean Francois Cautain, counsellor of the European Union, said: "The new airport is very impressive. It's quite an achievement. Now it's a challenge as to how it would work on September 28, as there is still a little bit of work to do."

Jonas Hafstrom, the Swedish envoy, said he was positive that Thailand would be able to handle security issues at Suvarnabhumi based on the good record at the Don Muang airport.

Nopakhun Limsamarnphun

Sopaporn Kurz

The Nation