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Bangkok reopens old airport

6 Feb 2007

Bangkok's old airport has reopened following a series of problems with the city's new hub.

Don Muang airport was originally closed after Suvarnabhumi airport was opened late last year.

The new site is bigger and more futuristic and was opened amid a whirlwind of media coverage in September.

Officials said that the hub would transform Bangkok into south-east Asia's air transport capital, but has instead turned into something of a national embarrassment.

Passengers have reported a number of key flaws, including a shortage of toilets, many faulty design aspects and even cracked runways.

In a bid to fully overcome the problems, Thai authorities have agreed to reopen Don Muang to both internal and international flights while repair works are carried out.

'We need time to make repairs and improvements at Suvarnabhumi airport, because of the many flaws,' Thailand's prime minister, Surayud Chulanont, told reporters following a cabinet meeting.

The two airports sit on different sides of Bangkok, with Don Muang positioned to the north and Suvarnabhumi sitting east of Thailand's capital city.

© Adfero Ltd

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