Government spokesman Yongyuth Maiyalarp quoted Transportation Minister Theera Haocharoen as telling the Cabinet meeting Tuesday that within 45 days Don Muang Airport that was closed in September last year will be able to resume the services.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont announced earlier that Bangkok will now have two international airports; Suvannabhumi and Don Muang.

Considering the increasing number of passengers and demands, the Cabinet decided that Don Muang Airport, will be re-opened.

He was speaking after chairing the weekly cabinet meeting Tuesday. Theera's ministry was assigned to prepare Don Muang for the re-opening.

"Considering the problems we have now at Suvannabhumi Airport and the number of passengers are increasing, the Cabinet decided that Don Muang Airport will be re-opened and Bangkok will have two international airports."

The spokesman said it was an idea of the prime minister who said before the cabinet meeting that it was appropriate to use existing facility. This would alleviate problems occurred during repairs and improvement of Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The Nation