However, there will be no opening ceremony.

"We are just moving from Bangkok International Airport to Suvarnabhumi. No one is

going to chair a ceremony on Thursday," said Airports of Thailand (AOT) Plc president Chotisak Asapaviriya yesterday.

He said the opening ceremony for the new airport would take place only when royal approval was given.

Chotisak was speaking after he, Transport Ministry Perma-nent Secretary Wanchai Sara-thulthat, Suvarnabhumi Airport director Somchai Sawasdipol, and Thai Airways International (THAI) president Apinan Suma-naseni met with the CDRM to report on the progress of Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is located just east of Bangkok.

CDRM deputy spokesman Maj-General Thawip Netniyom said yesterday the CDRM had agreed to inspect the new airport within the next few days and to provide personnel support.

Chotisak said the CDRM was going to provide 800 military staff to the AOT and 500 to THAI to ensure a smooth opening of the airport.

"The military staff can assist us with the transportation of equipment from the old facilities. They can also help move luggage in case of emergency," Chotisak said.

Apinan said THAI had already made more than 800 trips to move equipment from the old airport. He said that more than 1,000 trips would be made to move equipment on Wednesday.

Somchai said he had already informed the CDRM of all preparations for the opening of Suvarnahumi, including when the last flight from Don Muang would be and when the closing ceremony for the old facility would take place.

He also said the CDRM had been informed that decorations for some airlines' lounges at the new airport were not yet complete.

"THAI is going to allow these other airlines to share its lounges in the meantime," he said.

Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Department director-general Chaiyasak Angsuwan said Suvarnabhumi's safety standards were in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation's requirements.