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Suvarnabhumi » Land near new Bangkok Airport can be used for logistics, expert says

Tuesday, September 4th, 2007



A special agency should be set up and a new planning regime imposed to map out proper use of land near airports, especially the new Suvarnabhumi Airport, an aviation expert has suggested.

Better management would help prevent the new airport from becoming surrounded by residential areas and other businesses or activities that are not related to aviation, said Suwat Wanisubut, director of the Office of the Suvarnabhumi Airport Development Committee.

He noted that no controls existed around the old Don Muang airport and the result was a hodge-podge of land uses, not all of them compatible.

Mr Suwat made the comments in response to the interim government’s indication that it would drop a plan to build a so-called aerotropolis around Suvarnabhumi Airport, an idea initiated by the previous government.

Deputy Prime Minister M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula on Wednesday expressed his objections to the plan, saying the project could harm the environment, in particular causing floods in the low-lying area known by many people as Nong Ngu Hao, or Cobra Swamp.

According to Mr Suwat, building an aerotropolis might not be necessary in terms of managing the site.

He said that instead the government should set up a special organisation to control land use and ensure that businesses nearby would support the aviation industry. These would include logistics operations.

Mr Suwat said logistics, especially air cargo, had been playing an increasingly important role in the economy, thanks to impressive export revenue.

The Thai air cargo industry, he said, achieved average annual growth of 13.7% between 1979 and 1997, and had been growing by 7-8% a year since 1998. Air cargo is projected to total 1.2 million tonnes this year, rising to as many as three million in a few years ahead.

He said a zoning bill to regulate the airport area was needed to prevent land price speculation and inappropriate uses.

Mr Suwat said that the Public Works and Town & Country Planning Department had completed a zoning system for land around Suvarnabhumi but it was still awaiting for the cabinet’s approval.

Under the plan, the areas to the north and south of the airport were designed as water catchment basins while the industrial area would be located to the west of the airport, from King Kaew Road to the outer ring road. The area designated is seen as appropriate for businesses such as logistics, the headquarters of trading companies and industries that require just-in-time transport and deliveries. It is located in a flood-prevention area and noise impact from aircraft is not considered a big factor.

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