Caretaker Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam  refused to comment yesterday on the Interior Ministry's decision to conduct an Internet survey on plans to develop around Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Wissanu said the question should be directed at the Interior Ministry rather than him because he was not involved and was unaware of the survey questions.

The survey is meant to be a platform for people to voice opinions on whether the proposed city near the new airport should become a special administrative zone or not.

Asked how the government could expect the public to accept or reject the idea if they are not fully informed about it first - by, for example, participating in public hearings - Wissanu replied: "This is the reason doubts and suspicions come up, when people don't work in accordance with the concepts of good governance - transparency, participation and legitimacy."

Caretaker Interior Minister Kongsak Wantana dismissed fears that the motive for the plan was to hike land prices so certain groups benefit. He said the Cabinet had backed the plan in principle and it would now be handed to the Council of State for consideration, before going back to Cabinet and then to Parliament. "If Parliament approves it, they will pass it in accordance with democratic procedures," he added.

A high-ranking official at the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning said the area around the airport still lacked basic infrastructure, and the government would have to invest at least Bt500 billion to create the infrastructure required.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva also voiced doubts. "It's worrying because they planned an airport out of the city and then tried to surround that airport with a city again," he said, adding that this would lead to many issues that require addressing, including the establishment of new state offices.

He urged the government to manage activities and operations at the airport effectively, especially in terms of security and environment, and not to aim for it to become a new province.

Chulalongkorn University lecturer Manop Bongsadadt said the government should proceed carefully. "Will rushing things benefit the country? What if it only benefits the rich who buy land to resell it at a higher price?" he said, adding that tax measures would needed to to prevent land speculation.

Home Place Group managing director Kanok Dechavas also queried the appropriateness of a city around the airport, when so many developed countries chose to situate airports away from city areas. The area is also prone to flooding, according to HM the King's Kaem Ling project, which suggested draining floodwater from the capital.