Representatives from the shipping operators gathering at the new airport said the main problems were unclear documentation, insufficient cargo space, delays in approval of applications, and the lack of experienced staff.

Sumalee Chaichalermkul said many shipping firms had faced difficulties in getting their imported merchandise out of the cargo area. Another problem is that the Customs Department's computer network has not been able to link up with those of the shipping agents.

Apinan Sumasenee, president of Thai Airways International, said the airline was preparing to expand its cargo area.

"Now, the problem is the process of connecting time. The airline will discuss this matter with Airports of Thailand soon," he said.

A chef of a five-star hotel

in Bangkok, which brings in

fish and other food products from Japan to serve in its Japanese restaurant, said the hotel had trouble getting its shipment out of the cargo area for all the confusion over red tape.

"We are running out of stock because the cargo handling is even worse than the baggage handling," he said.

Meanwhile, Don Muang Tollway Plc is losing Bt600,000 a day after all flights switched to Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The company operates the Uttaraphimuk Elevated Tollway, running above Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road, that links the now-closed Don Muang airport with downtown Bangkok.

Managing director Sombat Phanicheeva said usage had fallen by 22 per cent to 30,000 cars a day.

"Since the new airport opened, the tollway sees less traffic, making the company's revenue drop from Bt3.3 million to Bt2.7 million a day," he said.

However, Don Muang Tollway has no need to make any adjustments or reduce its tolls as he believes that demand for the tollway will grow 5 per cent annually in the future.

"The company's losses should be offset by its higher future income," he said.

Phayungsak Chartsuthiphol, vice chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, told a seminar that Suvarnabhumi was expected to be a major factor in reducing overall logistics costs.

"However, it's just a piece of the jigsaw and we don't know how much traffic at Suvarnabhumi will expand as it has just opened," he said.

Logistics has been in focus recently, since transportation costs here account for 20-30 per cent of overall costs of doing business, compared to about 10 per cent in developed countries.