BANGKOK: -- Thailand's government in its weekly cabinet meeting Tuesday agreed to reopen the former Don Muang airport for both domestic and international flights, making it an additional international airport to supplement the problem-plagued new Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont told reporters after the meeting that the cabinet resolution to let Bangkok have two international airports is to cater for growing number of passengers.
During this time Don Muang airport must be readied as another international airport, the prime minister said, without giving further detail.
The former facility was decommissioned as Bangkok's primary airport in September when Suvarnabhumi was opened. But cracks in the new airport's runways and taxiways prompted the Transport Ministry to recommend to reopen Don Muang airport temporarily for non-connecting domestic flights to ease the burden on the new airport.
Transport Minister Thira Haocharoen said the detailed plan to transfer some flights as well as moving facilities back to the old airport will be concluded within two weeks before presenting it for the cabinet's consideration.
Forty-five days after the cabinet's consideration, Don Muang airport is expected to resume operation, the minister said.
--TNA 2007-02-06