Caretaker Transport Minister Pongsak Ruktapongpisal immediately instructed Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) to take legal and harsh action against the official, whom he said might have intended to shake up national security, even though airport director Somchai Sawasdipol said that the official had simply made a mistake.

Police are already working on the case, in a bid to determine whether the official in question intended to cause the disruption.

"We are urgently investigating the case," said Provincial Police Region 1 deputy commissioner Maj-General Yongyuth Tiewtrakoon.

Somchai reported that the official in question said he pulled down the wrong power breaker when he meant to switch off some air-conditioners.

"We knew about the power glitch from 1am but could not fix it in time, because many officials were still working at Don Muang Airport. On September 28, when this new airport starts full service, it will be a different scenario, because we're going to have officials all round the facility," Somchai said.

Instead of taking off at the scheduled time of 6.30am, the first flight - Thai Airways (THAI) flight TG8860 - departed for Phitsanulok 30 minutes late.

Pongsak suspected people with malicious intent were behind the power glitch.

"Power blackouts took place at three spots inside the airport. It's clear someone wanted to threaten national security, which could in turn have threatened the safety of the passengers," he said.

Pongsak said it was hard to believe someone could have mistaken a power breaker for an air-conditioner switch.

"They are not similar types of equipment. Anyway, why do you want to turn off an air conditioner at 1am?" he said.

The caretaker transport minister said he had also ordered security to be beefed up at the new airport.

"We're also adding security measures ahead of the full launch of the new airport on September 28," Pongsak said.

Flight TG8860 had 83 passengers, who received handwritten boarding passes from THAI staff trying to provide services during the hiccup.

AOT president Chotisak Asapaviriya said the incident proved Suvarnabhumi Airport was highly efficient in swiftly coping with unexpected situations.

"Passengers were boarded without much delay," he said.

However, Transport Ministry Permanent Secretary and THAI chairman Wanchai Sarathulthat was not impressed.

"We have repeatedly warned AOT about the power system, and yet this still happened," he said.

Wanchai said the power system was very important for an airport, because it affected not only the check-in system, but also the entire facility.

He said THAI's participation in the airport's soft launch, ahead of full services from September 28, was to check the readiness of the new airport.

"If there are any unexpected incidents, we have alternate plans to handle the situation. Our staff are prepared and ready," he said.

Despite the power glitch, most passengers on the first commercial flight from Suvarnabhumi Airport were satisfied. "I am so excited to be a part of this historic flight," said Japanese tourist Miki Hiraoka.

Many passengers were happy with new airport, which replacing the old international airport in Bangkok's Don Muang district.

Among other passengers, Chokechai Nattawattana, chief of Phitsanulok's prison, said he was proud of the new airport, while former MP Mayura Manasikan called Suvarnabhumi Airport both beautiful and grand.

Watcharapong Thongrung

The Nation