The Transport Ministry is preparing a series of measures to ease anticipated traffic jams on the roads leading to the new Suvarnabhumi airport in the run-up to its commercial opening on Sept 28. Deputy Transport Minister Chainant Charoensiri said the toll on the Eastern Outer Ring Road from Tap Chang tollgate to the airport would be waived from Sept 25 to April 25.

The ministry also asked the Highway Department to temporarily halt all construction work on the ring road from Sept 25-30. The construction is to expand the four-lane ring road to eight lanes.

In addition, the ministry was seeking cooperation from Bangkok Expressway (BECL) to lower the toll on its expressway from Srinakarin tollgate to the new airport from 25 baht to 20 baht. The ministry expected BECL to respond to its request before the airport's opening .

Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) will provide its first economy-class lounge at Suvarnabhumi Airport, consisting of entertainment facilities, shower rooms, e-service and resting corners.

At the new airport, passengers will be surprised with several new services never before available in the Kingdom. The economy-class lounge is rare among airlines, most of which operate only first- and business-class lounges.

But THAI is following a trend at other new airports which have started offering economy-class lounges.

Charnchai Singtorij, vice-president of the cargo and mail commercial department of THAI, said the airline faced tough competition in the aviation industry, forcing it to find new ways to please customers.

Thai Airways International (THAI) will conduct a second round of international flights through Suvarnabhumi Airport on Sept 22 to test its readiness ahead of the Sept 28 airport opening.

Four flights on three routes normally operated through Don Muang, will fly to Seoul and Beijing and from Guangzhou, through Suvarnabhumi instead for the test day only.

Unlike the first round of international test flights on the Bangkok-Hong Kong and Bangkok-Singapore routes on Sept 1, which involved mostly THAI staff and their families, the second round will involve paying passengers.

The national carrier will use Airbus A300-600 and A330-300 aircraft, each with around 250 seats, and will soon accept bookings.

The number of taxis operating out of Suvarnabhumi airport will be increased from 2,500 to 10,000 and those dropping passengers off will be allowed to take passengers on return trips, said Deputy Transport Minister Chainant Charoensiri yesterday. He said the measures were meant to provide more service choices for passengers and boost transportation convenience for them.

Gen Chainant's decision was apparently made in response to concerns raised by many people that they would have a hard time finding taxis to take them from the city to the airport.

Earlier, authorities said taxis operating out of the airport would have to register with the airport authority and non-registered cabs would not be allowed to pick up passengers from the airport.

EVA Air will move all of its Bangkok flights to brand new Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport on September 28, 2006, providing passengers with vastly improved airport facilities.

Customers will experience wider, more convenient check-in, smoother transition through the airport and a new stylish executive lounge.

The slick new Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport or "golden land", named by His Majesty King Bhumipol Adulyadej of Thailand, will replace Don Muang as Bangkok’s major international hub.

The new, expansive departure lounge will have 10 check-in islands. EVA will occupy 16 check-in counters on the eighth island in zones Q & R adjacent to immigration, giving passengers the easiest possible route through the airport.