Competent pilot wanted
The new airport needs someone to promptly fix its many problems
A wise man once said, 'Be careful of what you ask for, because you might get it.' Well, that is exactly what has happened with Suvarnabhumi Airport. We wanted a showcase project to illustrate to the world what Thailand can offer as an aviation hub, what Thai greatness is all about, and we have produced no better example.
From our design and re-design concepts, to our structural and human integrity - not to mention our Thai-style leadership - all is now out there, for everyone to see.
And while we blunder around searching for the next problem to add to the "Thaksin did it" list, we are missing an opportunity to implement immediate damage control to prevent this huge debacle from spiralling into even more unimaginable disarray.
The issue is not that there was corruption at the new airport under Thaksin: that's something we all know. But the fact is, when it comes to Suvarnabhumi he just added his own ingredients to the under-the-table soup that had been cooking for five years before he came to power.
Finger-pointing can be useful, but we need leadership that points the right fingers at all the culprits - be they politicians, bureaucrats, engineering or architectural firms - responsible for the damage, but yet to be named.
THAI TALK
The Suvarnabhumi mess: who's in charge here?
Everybody talks about it almost every day, but nobody seems able to tell the public what exactly is happening at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. It also seems to me that practically everybody has an opinion about the new airport and how controversial it is.
However, I have yet to find anyone who could tell me who's going to make a decision on whether we are going back to Don Muang or not. And, if it is decided that we go back, when will that happen and what's going to happen to Suvarnabhumi?
Of course, we've heard a heated case made for closing down Suvarnabhumi totally to do complete repairs, while the country's aviation activities are transferred back to Don Muang. But then you also get an earful about how that's a terrible idea, because if that's the case then the whole world will be totally confused about what's up in Thailand.
If you stand on the one side, you would agree with those who strongly suggest that only a complete shutdown of the new airport would make a serious overhaul feasible. But if you happen to be on the opposite side, you would immediately jump in protest at such a crazy idea. You would certainly argue that the whole story about the cracks in Suvarnabhumi's runways and taxiways has been badly overblown by an apparent political bias. You would beg the other side, which has perfectly good intentions for the country mind you, to calm down and to fix only what needs fixing.
What's the cause behind all of this brouhaha? Simply put, the ongoing cacophony at the airport has stemmed from the fact that nobody is in charge of this issue. Too many cooks, no matter how hardworking, devoted and zealous, spoil the broth.
One really has to ask the question: Why is The Nation covering up for those responsible for the airport debacle?
All the information about the airport concerning contractors, bureaucrats, politicians, and engineers is public information.
Why doesn't The Nation have microphones in front of the people responsible, demanding answers?
Why is The Nation not doing its duty in informing the public?
Why is The Nation waiting for the military junta to finish its investigation so it can act as the military government's stenographer?
1 comment:
To paraphrase a part of the article which wasnt quoted: "The new airport was intended to demonstrate to the rest of the world the expertise, ingenuity and competence of the Thai. It was intended to show how great the Thai nation is. And it has done just that. Unfortunately.
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