Transport Ministry proposes a committee to decide on Suvarnabhumi 2nd terminal

28 Sept 05:42 Key points summarised by AI

The Transport Ministry has asked Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to establish a committee, led by Deputy PM Anutin Charnvirakul, to decide on constructing a second passenger terminal at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
This move follows the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) rejecting Airports of Thailand's (AOT) second terminal proposal, citing higher costs compared to expanding the existing terminal, which can accommodate an additional 30 million passengers.
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob supports the new terminal, arguing the current facility cannot cope with increased passenger loads—estimated at 60 million annually—especially with the addition of a third runway.
The NESDB also expressed concerns about AOT's potential liquidity problems from 2022-2024 due to other airport development projects and global forecasts predicting a significant drop in air passenger loads due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Buddha Comes Home

Yesterday 15:38 Key points summarised by AI

Chong Para is a vibrant annual festival of the Shan (Tai Yai) people in Mae Hong Son, Thailand, celebrating the Buddha's return from Tavatimsa heaven after Buddhist Lent.
The festival's centerpiece involves families constructing intricate miniature palaces, also called Chong Para, from bamboo, paper, and lights, placed outside homes and temples as offerings.
For three days and nights, the quiet mountain town comes alive with folk music, traditional dances like the Shan bird dance, religious ceremonies, and community gatherings, showcasing deep-rooted Shan culture.
Beyond the celebrations, Chong Para reinforces family bonds, preserves traditional crafts, and offers visitors an authentic immersion into the unique cultural heritage of Mae Hong Son.