House set to debate Suvarnabhumi T2

House set to debate Suvarnabhumi T2

The plan to build a second terminal for Suvarnabhumi airport at a new location is expected to be debated by the House's standing committee on transport. (Bangkok Post photo)
The plan to build a second terminal for Suvarnabhumi airport at a new location is expected to be debated by the House's standing committee on transport. (Bangkok Post photo)

The controversial plan to build a second terminal for Suvarnabhumi airport at a location northeast of the existing main terminal is expected to be among the first issues taken up for debate by the House's standing committee on transport when it meets later this week, according to the New Palang Dharma Party (NPDP).

NPDP leader, Rawee Maschamadol, said he is pressing both Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the Transport Ministry to drop the plan for Suvarnabhumi airport's Terminal 2, despite the backing of Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob.

Dr Rawee said the northeast plan "defeats the purpose" of having a new terminal, which is to increase the airport's handling capacity.

He said he has been consulting the Architect's Council of Thailand, which is studying the airport expansion project in detail.

"Their findings will be presented in an easy-to-follow format not only for Gen Prayut but all cabinet ministers, political parties, MPs, senators as well as the media," he said.

The study, Dr Rawee said, will highlight the reasons why the second terminal should be built to the south of the existing terminal, in accordance with Suvarnabhumi airport's original master plan.

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob recently threw his support behind the plans for the northeastern terminal, saying it would be "quicker to build".

However, Gen Prayut has instructed the Transport Ministry to seek out public opinion on the matter, and said the original master plan must be considered in deciding the site of Terminal 2.

It is not clear how the public opinion will be gathered.

Dr Rawee is also urging the prime minister and transport minister to quickly appoint a team of specialists, consisting of architecture and transport experts, to advise the government on the best layout for the terminal and suggest a solution to the ongoing dispute on the second terminal's location.

"When the House standing committee on transport meets this week, I plan to file a motion on the terminal's construction," said Dr Rawee, who is a member of the committee.

"I expect the matter to be the first issue on the committee's agenda."

Dr Rawee added the result of the debate will be forwarded to the cabinet.

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