Corruption ruined the airport, Thais tell poll

Thai News Agency

The Suan Dusit Poll has found that Thais blame corruption more than any other cause for the mess at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Exactly 48 per cent of those polled in the past three days said "rampant corruption" was responsible for the host of problems that have plagued Suvarnabhumi since it began commercial operations in September.

Nearly one in four persons - 24.5 per cent - said that the damages and ongoing repairs at Suvarnabhumi would tarnish the country's reputation in the eyes of foreigners, and 16.5 per cent said they felt unsafe in using the airport.

Problems at Suvarnabhumi international airport surfaced even before its opening last September and the most serious one, found recently, is the case of runway and taxiway cracks. Repairs are under way.

Some low-cost airlines have expressed their willingness to switch their operations at the former Don Muang International Airport, closed since the opening of Suvarnabhumi, and currently under its own runway refurbishment by its only tenant, the Air Force.

According to the poll, 50.5 per cent of the respondents said the graft investigation must be speeded up and that those who have participated in corrupt activities punished.

Another 37 per cent said airport repairs must be carried out quickly, and nearly 8 per cent said problems must be solved at the root cause and without political intervention.

Bangkok Post
Sunday January 28, 2007