Thailand's much delayed new international airport is ready for commercial traffic and could open as early as September, the transport minister said on Thursday.

Contractors should finish up their work in the next month, and then the new Bangkok airport will undergo two months of testing to ensure its systems run smoothly, Pongsak Raktapongapisal told reporters at the new airport.

"The airport can open for commercial use by late September," he said.

The minister said the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) had certified the new airport for operation, clearing the way for commercial traffic. The ICAO's Bangkok office could not be reached for details.

THE Thai government said yesterday it will push ahead to open Bangkok's new international airport by September, rushing to mend troubles from a leaking roof and runway cracks.

After inspecting Suvarnabhumi Airport with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal said the government would open the airport in time for the high tourist season.

"If we can open before October, the beginning of tourist season, it will be good for the country's economy," Pongsak told reporters after meeting with Thaksin, airport officials and representatives from airline and construction companies. Suvarnabhumi Airport has been tarnished by numerous corruption scandals and other woes - including a fire that swept through a catering hall in January, killing a construction worker. Pongsak said he was optimistic the leaking roof, runway surface cracks and baggage scanners that are not yet fully functional would be fixed on time. Test runs at the airport would begin in August. "There are 13 sheets of canvas roofing that need to be replaced, while 30 others can be repaired," he said.