Gaybutton

You have to call Jimmy between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM, Thailand time. That's when he answers his phone. Other than between those hours he does not answer his phone. If you wish, you can send me an E-mail that includes your first name, last name, check-in date and approximate time of arrival, check-out date and approximate time of check-out, and whether you want a smoking or non-smoking room, I'll be happy to call him for you and make the reservation for you. My E-mail address is gaybutton@gmail.com .

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ PASSENGER TERMINAL 'Treat the disease, not the symptoms' Architects Call for Internationally Accepted Professionals to Resolve Problems This week the country's leading architects will meet to ask Airports of Thailand (AOT) to cease its reactionary approach to the problems at Suvarnabhumi's passenger terminal. They point out fundamental errors in design and space management. Without an independent and comprehensive reassessment, they feel, Thailand is unlikely to get the world-class airport it was promised. "Thais wake up to one piece of bad news after another about the airport every morning," said Sinn Phonghanyudh, president of the Association of Siamese Architects. "The image is so dreadful that many feel more terrified about going to Suvarnabhumi than about flying itself. Putting in a few more toilets or patching up cracks in the floor tiles is not going to help. "We need to take a holistic approach before coming up with a solution. The AOT has to make people believe it knows exactly what it is doing instead of just responding to day-to-day complaints," Sinn added. The association's draft report outlines scores of issues, from the lack of sufficient toilet facilities and appropriate signage to unusable revolving doors, inappropriate plumbing fixtures, lack of employee rest areas, blocked emergency exits, poor climate-control design and overall maintenance challenges. If it were just a handful of mechanical teething problems, these could easily be tackled, said Sinn. Instead they represent a complete disregard for basic planning and design. "What's the point of promoting the world's largest [single] terminal if the space is so badly managed that it becomes inconvenient and even unsafe for passengers and workers?" he said. "Passages to the gates have been encroached on by shops, art and other things. In a fire, every little object impedes escape." He said many architects were disappointed in the overall visual appearance. Instead of complementing the open-air feel intended, there is a clutter of pot plants, random signs, maintenance carts, kiosks and artwork. In December, an AOT committee headed by board member Yodyiem Theptharanont reported on problems faced by passengers and workers, but Sinn said its approach was still based on individual problems. Even simple ones like clusters of confusing signs persist despite deadlines for fixing them by last month. A globetrotting UN official who has used Suvarnabhumi many times told The Nation he was disappointed that it did not live up to government promotion despite many successful new Asian airports to learn from. "It's dirty and looks like construction hasn't finished, duty-free shop take up too much space, and there aren't enough seats to sit on or enough light to read a paper," he said. Sinn also pointed out that choices of material like the structural steel used to hold up the roof were decades old from an international design standpoint, as much lighter and more attractive ones have been around for years. "It only reinforces the perception that we don't have the creative and engineering expertise for contemporary design," he said. Ten years ago, their association's "Warning: Nong Ngu Hao [suvarnabhumi] Terminal Design" highlighted many of the problems. It pointed out that glass and canvas were inappropriate for a tropical climate. Roof leaks, heat and too much light in some areas testify that the warning was ignored. It said maintenance "will be extensive and difficult. Dust mixing with sticky engine-oil particles from planes in the air will be visible all over the glass walls. Instead of fixing the design, the designer proposed expensive and complicated cleaning equipment." This appears not to have been installed or utilised, to judge by the dust on the glass walls and facilities. Some areas are virtually inaccessible. As a result the grime is more visible every day. "I don't know what equipment we have, but we've yet to be asked to clean the inside walls," said a janitor. The draft report will serve as the basis for an association seminar on Friday with the engineers and builders, the results of which will be presented as final recommendations to the AOT next week. Sinn stresses that while the association is committed to helping in any way to resolve the problems once and for all, neither he nor the association wishes to play a leadership role. "Eighty per cent of architects in Thailand have been involved in one way or another with this gigantic project," Sinn said. "There is too much behind-the-scenes history that would impede our ability do the job independently. We need professionals from abroad. The money will be well spent. Suvarnabhumi needs the confidence of the international community, so get internationally accepted professionals to do the job." Nantiya Tangwisutijit

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ Chinese New Year Festival Announced at Pattaya City Hall Press Conference At Pattaya City Hall a colorful press conference was held in conference room 401 to confirm the details of this year

You can still send a cash gift. I believe doing that through the Niddy's Nook service is your best bet, assuming the boy is in Pattaya. It's the easiest and least expensive way. You could also send via Western Union. For that you would need the boy's actual first and last name and you would also have to let him know in advance how much to expect and you would have to provide him with the control number for him to be able to retrieve the money. Based on your post, I'm guessing that you were in Pattaya for a one or two week holiday, got to know this boy, and are now somewhat infatuated. The odds are that your feelings are one-sided and the boy thinks of you only as another customer, if he's thinking of you at all. It would be wonderful if things were different, but they rarely are. It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation. A cash gift is what these boy appreciate more than anything else. With that, he can buy what he wants, use it to pay his rent, send it home to mama, or whatever he wants to do with it. The trouble is that when you send a cash gift you've also opened the door for the pleas for money to start. Again, the odds are that's just what will happen and will likely ruin your relationship with him before you return. Unfortunately, in the majority of cases no matter how much you send, it's never enough. I think the best thing for you to do between now and when you return is to forget about gifts at all. You are probably much better off with a phone call every so often. In the long run, so is he. If you want to write a letter, I would be happy to receive it for you by PM or E-mail, ask my boyfriend to translate it into Thai, and personally deliver it to the boy if you can tell me how to find him or have a phone number for him. Limiting it to a few phone calls or a letter will certainly communicate your sentiments and will prevent the usual money issues from getting started. I think the Levis 401 jeans is the best thing to do regarding an actual gift. If you can find someone willing to bring them over and give them to the boy, that's fine. If not, you can bring them yourself next trip. In the meantime, I suggest limiting anything else to phone calls, E-mail, or a letter.

This is quite a number of blocked web sites, more than five times as many blocked in three months. The part of this story that bothers me more than any of it is the last sentence in which it is revealed that not only do they not disclose which web sites are blocked, but they don't even disclose the criteria involved in making the decisions. To me, that suggests whoever is involved in blocking web sites literally has carte blanche to block any web site they wish, for any reason they wish, with no standard recourse available to those who find their web sites blocked. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Junta Clamps Down on Websites The year may well be the 21st century's version of George Orwell's "1984" for Thailand as the number of blocked websites since the coup has increased by 500 per cent as of January, according to the campaign group Freedom Against Censorship Thailand (FACT). The "blocklist", numbering 13,435 websites as of January 11, compared to 2,475 in October 13 last year, "shows a frightening increase in thought control and abrogation of civil liberties and human rights in Thailand," FACT said in a recent statement. "2007 may well be the 21st century's "1984" in Thailand." Some anti-coup websites such as 19sep.org have been blocked six time since the coup took place last September. "In the wake of September 19, many Thai Web discussion boards were blocked or ordered to self-censor, stifling freedom of expression and freedom of association," FACT stated. It added that no identification of the blocked websites has been disclosed to the public nor do the involved government agencies disclose what criteria they use to block some sites.

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ Disabled Access to Pattaya Will Improve, Says the Deputy Mayor Khun Wootisuk, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya, chaired this meeting inside the VIP Room at Pattaya City Hall on Wednesday Morning to discuss an issue which will be of interest to disabled tourists and residents of Pattaya. The meeting discussed how to modify walkways and entrances to shopping centers and other major attractions to allow for easy access for wheelchairs and electric vehicles used by disabled people. This meeting was prompted by complaints received from tourists and local business operators who believe Pattaya does not currently consider the needs of disabled people and many disabled tourists find it hard to traverse the streets of Pattaya unaided at this time. This is now set to change with improvements beginning along the entire stretch of Pattaya Beach soon.

Who says I don't know where to chat with like-minded "farang?" I thought he is talking about like-minded Thais. That's the impression I get from his post.

You have brought up a very interesting question and it's a tough one. The only gay bars I know about in Pattaya are the go-go bars, karaokes, and the host bars. Obviously, none of those are what you have in mind. In Pattaya there is little in the way of bars of the type you are trying to find. Probably the closest thing to what you are seeking is the bar area of the Sansuk Sauna. I've only been there once during their nighttime hours, but there were several Thai gays, not money boys, there that night. Now that it's been open for a few weeks, it's probably worth your time to give it a try. I can't think of anything else that's going to fit the bill. Maybe others can post suggestions.

That depends on what area of Pattaya you wish to be. If quiet is your prime priority, then I suggest staying at a beach hotel. It won't get any quieter than that. I would suggest the Rabbit Resort or the Avalon Hotel, both of which, last time I checked, charge about 2500 baht per night, which is expensive for Pattaya, but the amenities and the rooms are quite nice. In my opinion, the Rabbit Resort is the better choice because the rooms are much larger and much more luxurious for about the same price as the Avalon. Several people have recommended the Tui's Place hotel, right next door to the Avalon. When you step out the door, you're on the gay beach. I've never heard any comments as to how quiet the rooms are, but I'll bet it is virtually silent and will be half the price of the Rabbit Resort or Avalon. Perhaps people who have stayed there can comment. A review on http://www.pattayagay.com says: _____ Tui's Place: (GF) Located in the heart of the gay area of Jomtien Beach, (See Map ) fronting on the sidewalk just across from the central part of the "gay" seating area, Tui's place offers a pleasant guest-house type atmosphere, with restaurant and bar available, where you can walk out the front door and be on Jomtien's famed gay beach. Tui's fronts the gay beach itself.. All rooms with air conditioning, TV, phone, refrigerator and separate bathrooms. Very clean. Rooms are Baht 600 to Baht 1,400 per night Listed in International Spartacus guide. It is the second and third building in a group of four buildings, directly behind the Jomtien Beach toilet that has been built which opened in May, 2000. That group of buildings is found along the sidewalk after the long empty space along the sidewalk after the long empty space with the tall picket fence between the Style Restaurant with a surf-board sign out front The Style Restaurant is in the last building of the major collection of buildings along the walkway before the long empty space. Easy walk from the highway, mostly along beautiful, new, wide special brick sidewalk - driveway, where vehicles are permitted except during the day. . Tui's also has special arrangements for access to its building for guests staying there who have a vehicle available. They may enter a condominium complex on the Thappraya Road near the signal light for Thepprasit Road, and follow the condominium complex's road system to the beach, where such vehicles can park near Tui's Place. E-mail: <tui_69@hotmail.com> Friends suggest a phone call or sending a fax, since Tui does not check e-mail with any regularity. No web site yet. Phone: 038-251-432 Fax: 038-370-136; from outside Thailand, dial 66-38 followed by the six digit local numbers indicated above. _____ I suggest also reading the additional reviews on the Pattayagay web site. ( see http://www.pattayagay.com/hotels.html ). I hope this helps you make your decision.

I agree with Luvthai. You just never know with packages. I've received expected packages and there were also some I never received. Even when I went to the post office to make an inquiry I was told the inquiry has to be generated from the USA. When I asked the sender to inquire, he was told it has to be handled from Thailand. They were able to trace the fact that the package made it as far as Thailand, but once it is in Thai hands there is nothing more they can do. Luvthai's suggestion is a good one if you can find someone willing to deliver whatever it is. If you cannot, then I really think the best thing for you to do is send a cash gift to the boy, which will be far more appreciated than anything else you might send, and bring a true gift on your next trip. But give him the sentimental gift and a cash gift along with it if you truly want it to be appreciated. Fountainhall is also correct about the tax. I ended up paying tax on a packet I sent to myself from the USA when I was in the process of moving here, which was too big to carry on an airplane, and the tax was nearly 4000 baht. That was more than I paid for it in the first place and I even had a receipt for the original purchase. A gift suggestion that you can carry personally is brand name jeans. They love receiving things like that.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Airport Repairs Halted Until Investigation Ends By Amornrat Mahitthirook and Surasak Glahan Repairs to the runway and taxiway cracks at Suvarnabhumi have been put on hold until a thorough investigation by the board of the Airports of Thailand Plc into the cause of the cracks is completed. Designiated chief investigator Tortrakul Yomnak said on Tuesday the repair halt is to prevent faulty repair methods from being employed and to protect visiting aircraft. Mr Tortrakul, an AoT board member, heads the official investigative committee of experts which must find the exact cause of the cracks that have appeared on the runways and taxiways of the four-month-old airport. The probe includes the boring of soil 30 metres deep under the runways and taxiways to collect samples of their foundations. The boring will tell the physical aspect of the soil under the airport, the construction of runways and taxiways and their subsidence level. Damaged areas have been sealed off. The Tortrakul panel, set up by AoT chairman Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr, was formed on Jan 23 and must conclude its investigation by Feb 9. Suvarnabhumi airport director Somchai Sawasdeepol has ordered a separate investigation into the partial and abrupt closure of the western runway last Thursday, which caused the diversion of four flights to U-tapao airport on that day. He said neither he nor the other executives were notified of its closure in advance. An initial inquiry found that a pilot of Thai AirAsia had informed air traffic controllers of dangerous objects that could compromise flight safety on the southern end of the western runway, Mr Somchai said. Airport flight safety officials then inspected the site and had air traffic control inform other pilots of the need to close one end of the runway. The runway was partially closed at 2pm when Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen and his delegation were inspecting cracks on taxiways at the airport. Large carriers could then only use the eastern runway and four of the visiting flights were asked to land at U-tapao airport for refuelling. Mr Somchai has asked his deputy and engineer Chat Hanpatananant to head the investigation. An AoT source believes that Thursday's partial closure of the runway was unnecessary and it could be an attempt to divert attention from the AoT board's investigation into alleged irregularities by the AoT management. However, Passakorn Surapipit, Suvarnabhumi's security chief, confirmed that safety officials had followed normal procedures by first inspecting the runway and then ordering its partial closure last Thursday because it was considered essential. The chief executive officer of Thai AirAsia Tassapon Bijleveld has not been able to confirm whether the pilot who had informed traffic controllers about the need to close the runway was indeed an AirAsia pilot, but said the AoT should not ignore the issue in its investigation. Meanwhile, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has denied responsibility for the problems that have cropped up at Suvarnabhumi airport, saying there is an attempt to discredit him and his government by linking them to the problems, according to his lawyer, Noppadon Pattama. Mr Noppadon said yesterday that he had talked to the deposed premier who was concerned that the airport's problems were been used for political gain. "The problems could be a political responsibility of Mr Thaksin and his government. But the contractors who built the substandard runways, taxiways or the water pipelines and those who hired them should be the ones held directly responsible for the problems," he said. "Isn't it too much to force the former premier to take responsibility for the pipeline leakage at the airport?" he said.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Attack Was Meant to 'Intimidate the Media' Daily News executive Pracha Hetrakul described yesterday's bomb attack on his newspaper office as an attempt to intimidate the media in general. The bomb blast erupted in the compound of Si-Phya Publishing Co, which operates the Thai-language newspaper, at around 1.30am yesterday seconds after another training grenade landed in the Rama Gardens Hotel's car park next door. The blasts caused minor damage, but no casualties. "I believe this is intimidation against the media," Pracha said, adding there were no reports or opinion pieces in the Daily News that could have singled it out as a target for attack. He said if such intimidation tactics worked, the people would lose because the media delivered information to them. Democrat Party's secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban also believed the bomb blast at the Daily News office was intended to intimidate media circles. "We must condemn such intimidation," he said. Without naming anyone, Suthep said the person who used to be in power might have been upset that the media did not kow-tow to him anymore. "That person controlled the media for five or six years," Suthep said. An informed source also revealed that before the coup took place, Surayud - who was then a privy councillor - once asked an executive of the Daily News to arrange a meeting between him, the then deputy premier, and the Thai Rak Thai's deputy leader Somkid Jatusripitak. The source said when the pair met Surayud said he thought Somkid was an appropriate choice for the post of prime minister. As of press time yesterday, police were still trying to determine who fired the two training grenades into the Daily News office and the hotel's car park - from where and why. "We have yet to determine the cause of the bomb attacks," Assistant National Police Commissioner Lt General Jongrak Juthanont said. There are also differing opinions as to where the grenades were fired. While an investigation team at the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) believed the grenades were fired from the elevated Don Muang tollway, another team at the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) suggested the grenades might have been fired from a deserted school next to the Daily News office. The MPB team said they were pursuing leads from video recordings retrieved from a surveillance camera. It said the recordings showed a car suspiciously slowed down on a portion of the Don Muang tollway at the time the two grenades could have been launched from there to the two targets below. "There were not many vehicles on the tollway at that time. We should be able to track down the owner of the suspicious vehicle," an informed source quoted an investigator as saying. According to the source, the crucial recordings showed the driver of the suspicious car and its registration plate. Because inspections at the blast scenes pointed to an M79 grenade launcher being used in the attacks, the source said investigators were looking into which agencies possessed such a launcher. "The person who fired the grenades must have been an expert too. Based on the information from a security guard, the two blasts went off just 10 seconds apart," the source said. So far, the CSD team said it was more likely that the grenades were launched from a deserted school building next to the office. "Local people said they heard dogs barking in the middle of the night, followed by the bomb blasts," the team said. Thung Song Hong police station's inspector Lt Col Manit Kasemsiri, believed the blasts did not cause serious damage because they were only training grenades. National Police Chief General Kowit Watana also inspected the scene. "I have reported the incident to the Council for National Security. I have ordered police officers to step up security measures," he said. He also called on people to watch out and alert the authorities if they detect anything suspicious. Currently, police have yet to complete their investigation into eight bombs in the heart of Bangkok on New Year's Eve in which three people were killed and dozens more injured. Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont declined to comment on the cause of yesterday's bomb blasts. "Police will investigate and identify suspects," he said. He insisted the latest bomb blasts would not prompt the government to re-impose martial law in Bangkok. Martial law was removed last Friday.

We'll do our best . . . .

I received the following in an E-mail. I am posting the significant portions of that E-mail. Also, by sheer coincidence, last night I was dropping off a friend at the condo at which both he and GP reside. At that moment Ken (GP's Thai boyfriend) and GP were coming out of the condo. It was obvious that he was in bad shape again. That was a difficult moment to bear because only a few days before, just after his operation, he seemed to be in such good shape and good spirits: _____ He is very ill again and has gone grey faced even more than Monday when I saw him. Wally, Ken & Wayne were there today and Allen has lost all brain power cannot remember safe or cards pins or numbers and they were out of food again. A safe man is on his way to get in it for allens cash and cards??? Ken took Allen to see Doc yesterday and had to pay 6500 baht. Just had enough in his pocket. It now appears that the 10% is only for IN-patient care nothing to do with his outpatient bills which he has to pay. We have authorised a payment of 50000 baht to cover immediate bills and Ken and Wayne are sorting this but as for the long term Wally has his doubts, but Allen has recovered before. All we can do now is see to immediate bills and pray for the best. He goes to hospital again tomorrow.

I'm a little surprised to hear that they don't. If the boy has a bank account, then it shouldn't be a problem for their service to simply deposit the funds into his account.

Sugar in wine? That's also a new one to me. I can't even imagine someone paying for wine and then putting sugar in it. To me that sounds about as appetizing as a salami and whipped cream sandwich. But I suppose everyone's tastes are different. I think we've all probably run into people who, if there is ketchup on the table, will put it on something. For me, that would be like ordering steak tartare . . . well done.

BANGKOK, Jan 30 (TNA) The Thai Public Health Ministry confirmed Monday that it has issued compulsory licenses for the production of two drugs, one for the treatment of HIV/AIDS and another for a cardiovascular drug, paving the way for immediate production and imports of lower-cost generic versions. Thai Public Health Minister Dr. Mongkol na Songkhla announced that the drugs are Kaletra, an AIDS drugs produced by US-based Abbott Laboratories and Plavix, the blockbuster anti-clotting agent, sold by France

The following appears in the PATTAYA CITY NEWS: _____ The Chonburi Tourist Visa Launches at Pattaya City Hall A press conference now from Pattaya City Hall chaired by Khun Montien, Deputy Governor of Chonburi Province who was joined by representatives from the Region 3 office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Khun Niran, the Mayor of Pattaya to announce the new Chonburi Tourist Visa program which is part of the Chonburi Attraction Club. The scheme will involve Tourists purchasing the cards for 100 Baht which will offer discounts of between 20 and 50% at 25 tourist attractions around Chonburi Province. Some of the local attractions where the card can be purchased and used include the Underwater World Park in Jomtien, Mini Siam, The Sriracha Tiger Zoo and Ripleys. If you would like further information on this discount card, you can contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand on 038 391 671.

I'm somewhat mixed in my opinion of what you wrote. I can understand why "out-call" service would be more expensive, but you definitely should have been told the price at the time you made the arrangement. Also asking 200 baht for motorcycle taxis is far too much. You can go from any "Point A" to any "Point B" in Pattaya for no more than 60 baht. Since Cartier is only a short distance from the most popular gay hotels, I doubt that the boy has to pay more than 30 baht each way. In all honesty, I don't understand how Cartier expects to stay in business. I don't understand why they decided to put a gay bar at that location in the first place. It's nowhere near any other venues the gay community is likely to frequent and I know of nothing they do to make the bar more attractive in order to get people to go there. I see little difference between that bar and anything else you can find in the popular locations. People who have been there keep telling me the bar is almost always empty of customers. Maybe one or two other customers and that's it. That was also my experience the one time I went there. Charging inflated prices is not my idea of how to attract and keep a clientele. I'm usually very supportive of gay venues, but if one is going to charge inflated prices, that's the end of my support.

At least they weren't trying to be like Manuel (who I think of as the predecessor to Borat). I think hotels are like just about everything else, in that some people are going to like them and some are not. I've stayed in the Tarntawan Place and I think it's a wonderful hotel and would highly recommend it because it's a nice place, excellent location, attentive staff, and the fact that it caters to the gay community. When I go to Bangkok, I almost always stay at the Pinnacle. The rooms are usually quite nice, just as good as anything else you'll find in Bangkok unless you are looking for luxury accommodations. The hotel is gay friendly. It's an easy walk to the nearest MRT subway station. Their smoking rooms are on floors completely separate from the non-smoking rooms. The staff is friendly and helpful. It's a 35 baht taxi ride to the Silom-Suriwong-Patpong area gay scene. It's within easy walking distance (or a two minute motorcycle taxi ride) to the Babylon Sauna. There are exchange banks and ATM's less than a block from the hotel. It's very easy to get to and from if you're driving a car. Best of all is the price. If you book through Jimmy, the current price is 1170 baht per night for their deluxe rooms, about US $30 less per night than the above mentioned hotels. Breakfast is included in their price, but in my opinion their breakfast buffet is just like most Bangkok breakfast buffets . . . lousy.

I'm not a beer drinker, so I didn't even know there is such a thing as 'lite' versions of those particular beers. There are other drinks and cocktails I was, at first, surprised that you don't see in the bars. You have to remember that the bartenders in most of these bars are highly skilled at pouring what comes out of a bottle and even mixing it with soda or tonic water. However, anything beyond that seems to be largely unheard of. I'm guessing the reason you don't find these 'lite' beers in the bars is because there is not enough of a demand for them to warrant keeping them in stock. By the way, some of you may not be aware that in Thailand, beer is almost always poured over ice. I don't know about other countries, but most people from the USA are surprised by that when they first encounter it. If you do not want ice in your beer glass make sure you tell the waiter "no ice."

There is another reality when dealing with Western Union. The recipient on the Thailand end also gets ripped off on the exchange rate he receives. Western Union is one of the more expensive ways to send money. Unless you give a boy his own ATM card with which to receive money, I think the best deal of all is the Niddy's Nook deal. Maybe some people did not like the cheeseburger or their advertising methods, but their deal for sending money to a Thai boy is about the least expensive method of all and absolutely reliable.

Exchange rates for Monday, January 29: Closing rates: US dollar: 35.62 Euro: 45.835 British pound: 69.585 Australian dollar: 27.3725 Canadian dollar: 30.0075 I'll continue to monitor the exchange rates. I'll post again if any significant changes occur.

Exchange rates for Monday, January 29: Opening rates: US dollar: 35.65 Euro: 45.88 British pound: 69.675 Australian dollar: 27.375 Canadian dollar: 30.03

Based on the following two news items, don't be too surprised if you turn out to be correct: The following appears in THE NATION: _____ SUVARNABHUMI Decision Today on Shifting of Flights Theera Says Services Will be Affected; Don Muang Likely to be Recommissioned The immediate fate of the troubled Suvar-nabhumi Airport will be decided at a top-level meeting headed by Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen today. It may elect to transfer some flights back to the decommissioned Bangkok International Airport at Don Muang. The multi-billion-baht new airport has suffered a series of setbacks disrupting services over recent days. "We have to admit that the repair of Suvarnabhumi Airport taxiways and runways will affect services," Theera said yesterday. He believes recommissioning Don Muang will ease air-traffic congestion at Suvarnabhumi. Last week, it was confirmed that Suvarnabhumi has cracks on runways and taxiways. On Thursday, repair work forced some flights into holding patterns over the airport and others to refuel at U-Tapao airfield in Chon Buri. As many as 11 aerobridges at Suvarnabhumi Airport cannot be used owing to cracks on their surfaces and partial cave-ins on a runway. Temporary repairs have commenced. Tortrakul Yommanak is leading an investigation into the problems and has estimated that permanent repairs could take as long as one year. The Tortrakul-led probe is expected to conclude the causes within two weeks. Tortrakul is a board member of Airports of Thailand (AOT). According to a Transport Ministry source, the AOT board had already approved the transfer of some flights back to Don Muang. The old airport was closed to commercial traffic once Suvarnab-humi Airport was fully operational. "The AOT-approved plan allows point-to-point domestic flights to return to Don Muang. The transfer of services is not mandatory. Each airline can choose to transfer back to the old airport, or not," the source said yesterday. Bangkok Airways and Thai AirAsia are willing to return. The image of Suvarnabhumi has suffered serious blows time and again since its opening. On Saturday, water was discovered leaking into the passenger terminal from broken pipes. Reports said domestic aviation authorities have refused to extend an international safety certificate. They said the Department of Civil Aviation decided on Friday not to renew the airport's interim safety certificate that expired on Thursday. The airport can, however, continue to operate without the license. __________ And this, from the BANGKOK POST: _____ Authorities Mull return to Don Muang Airport (TNA, BangkokPost.com) The government and airport executives are considering whether to reopen Bangkok's 90-year-old airport at Don Muang as attempts to fix the brand-new Suvarnabhumi Airport are causing disruption. On Saturday morning, one of the two runways was closed for repairs. About 100 cracks were found at the new airport's taxiways and runaways and damaged sections are being closed off while repair work is carried out. Transport Minister Admiral Thira Haocharoen told reporters the possibility of moving some flights back to Don Muang is being considered, especially for point-to-point domestic flights. Don Muang was decommissioned as Bangkok's main airport in September when the new airport was officially opened but support for reopening the Don Muang facility is gaining momentum as more troubles are reported at Suvarnabhumi. The minister said that the move would speed up the repair work and help ease traffic congestion at the new airport, adding that government agencies and airline executives will discuss the issue next week. Adm Thira maintained that Thailand would not shut down Bangkok's spanking new US$3.8 billion international airport completely. He admitted there were doubts about whether it was appropriate to carry out repair work in sections before a detailed study of the damage at the new airport has been completed. The cabinet on Tuesday decided to convene a panel of "independent" experts to determine how serious the cracks are and what has caused them. The head of the panel is a board member of Airports of Thaland, which runs the facility. The airport, which was officially opened in September, was designed to handle 45 million passengers a year. The minister said problems at Suvarnabhumi would not only disrupt air traffic for several weeks, but also undermine the confidence of both the public and airlines. More disruption was forecast for Saturday as the airport's east runway was closed from 2 to 6 a.m. for repairs, said Passakorn Surapipith, deputy director of the Suvarnabhumi Airport. He added that the 40 incoming and outgoing flights scheduled would use the west runway.