If that were to happen, there would be a major disruption of air transport in this country. That disruption would cause great damage to the tourism industry, as most, if not all, incoming and outgoing flights would have to be diverted to Don Muang Airport, which was shut down as soon as the new airport became operational last September. A team of military engineers assigned to assess the 60-100 cracks in more than 20 spots on runways and taxiways is expected to report its findings to the Transport Ministry and recommend a course of action by month's end.

The Transport Ministry will then be required to consider the team's findings and recommendations carefully and make the required decision with a view to the strict upholding of internationally accepted standards in terms of the aviation industry's requirements and passenger safety, above all else. Its decision must not be compromised by any urge to do damage control or save face by postponing or avoiding whatever repair work may require immediate attention.

Next, the ministry must set up an investigation committee to determine whether the cracks were the result of shoddy construction materials or substandard construction methods, and if so, then to learn who had allowed such unscrupulous practices. All wrongdoers, including contractors, construction-project supervisors and AOT officials who oversaw construction, must be investigated and punished if found guilty of corruption.

It surprises no one that serious problems have cropped up so soon. The airport's opening was preceded by a series of high-profile corruption scandals involving members of the Thaksin administration - deposed in a military coup last September 19 - that remain unresolved to this day. Corruption scandals linked to the construction of the airport had been widely reported in the media ever since the process began several years ago. However, the  most blatant instance of cheating came to light in 2005, when GE InVision Technologies, which manufactured the new airport's luggage scanners, admitted to the US Justice Department that its representatives might have violated the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by offering bribes to Thai government officials.

Initially, the Thaksin government rejected the bribery allegations out of hand. But when confronted with evidence from the US Justice Department, instead of clarifying matters and proving its innocence, the government accused GE InVision of damaging Thailand's reputation. Following the exposure of irregularities in the deal, then-Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, who protested his innocence as the overall supervisor of the airport's construction, was removed from his post and then appointed deputy prime minister. It was found that the Thai government could have signed a contract to purchase the machines directly from GE InVision, which would have saved taxpayers Bt800 million, but inexplicably chose to buy the scanners through Patriot Business Consultants.

The deal to buy the CTX 9000 machines through Patriot Business Consultants was scrapped, and the machines were bought directly from GE Invision. However, the price difference pocketed by Patriot Business Consultants was never recovered.

The government of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, the Council for National Security and the various committees set up to investigate corruption cases in connection with Suvarnabhumi Airport must ensure that everyone who participated in or served as an accessory to corruption - no matter who they are - be taken to task for what they have done. Suvarnabhumi Airport stands as a showcase of the type of Thaksin-era corruption that made this Kingdom subject to ridicule by the international community. As such, a comprehensive approach must be taken to deal with this blight on the nation's image.