Somchai is in charge of making sure the airport is up and running on schedule. Given that it is expected to be a regional aviation hub, it is easy to imagine the headaches involved in looking after all that Suvarnabhumi has to offer.

Now, with the deadline drawing near, Somchai is in heavy demand from members of the press. He's the man everyone turns to when they need questions answered.

Yesterday, Somchai was scratching his head over reports that a toilet door had fallen onto a worker. On the same day, he had to ink a Bt214-million renovation deal with a nearby university because airport construction work had damaged some of the university's buildings.

Somchai spends a lot of his time wandering through the spacious airport checking to see if things are progressing as planned. And what a walk it must be. The government claims the passenger terminal will be the world's largest, measuring more than 500,000 square metres.

When the planes are finally taking off and landing as scheduled, Somchai's worries are not likely to end. Anyone who has noticed the huge flocks of birds in the area has probably sensed that this could be a topic of future discussion.

Luckily, Somchai has one positive thing to smile about. Despite the links in some people's minds between the airport's CTX luggage scanners and an international corruption scandal, Somchai happily insists that the airport has the best security equipment available.

Though he has a ton of things to think about, the smile never leaves his face. He's perfect for the job.

achara_d@nationgroup.com