Currently Thai authorities will have to take a difficult decision on what to do next with the oldest airport in Bangkok Don Muang: whether to restore it or to recognize the airport unsuitable for use.
The fact is that the airport was badly damaged by floods in late October – passenger and cargo terminals and the western runway were flooded and only the eastern runway escaped destruction.
In this regard, Don Muang operation was stopped.
Previously, the damaged airport received and sent flights of local airlines Nok Air and Orient Thai, as well as some charter and cargo airliners.
Because of disaster, they had to send aircrafts to Suvanabumi (here in Bangkok) and Utapao (Pattaya).
Initially, the authorities said that the airport would be rebuilt, but in late November, the situation was seriously deteriorated – the water level in the Don Muang amounted to one and a half meters.
The exact amount of damage is not reported, but the experts say that millions of dollars are required to rebuild the airport.
If the government decides to restore the terminal, a new defensive wall must be constructed, the same as in Suvanabumi.
Though it is much more real to adapt the airport to the exhibition or logistics center – it will cost much less.
So far the authorities have allocated money on pumping water out of the airport.
Don Muang is the oldest airport in Asian history.
It was opened in 1914, however, the flights had been serviced earlier.
Commercial flights had been serviced since 1924. Billions of tourists from all over the world came here.