We were shocked to have heard this comment from the prime minister. Although Suvarnabhumi Airport is now facing some taxiway and runway problems, which need to be fixed, it can still operate safely. Some parts of the taxiways and runways could be closed for repair, however the entire airport remains functional. We would like to urge Surayud to reconsider this bad idea of allowing low-cost airlines to use Don Muang Airport as their hub.

First, allowing low-cost airlines to use Don Muang as their hub would destroy the business of the national carrier Thai Airways International (THAI). All countries in this world pursue a single-minded policy of protecting their national carriers. They do so because when worse comes to worst, each country must have a viable national carrier to ensure its interests. Don't forget that THAI also plays a key role in promoting the Thai tourism industry as well.

The proliferation of low-cost airlines has been quite dramatic, rising to almost half of all aviation business. A THAI official said if the government allowed Don Muang to operate international flights again, it would be tantamount to handing the airport over to AirAsia, THAI's rival. After the sell-off of Shin Corp to Temasek Holdings of Singapore, Malaysian and Singaporean interests now jointly own AirAsia, at a time when Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bangkok have been competing fiercely in the battle to claim the true aviation hub of Southeast Asia.

We are not sure whether Nok Air has anything to do with this temptation to reopen Don Muang for international flights, as it may want to break away from THAI, its parent company. THAI has already spent a substantial amount of money - almost Bt20 billion - to shift to Suvarnabhumi, so it needs to make the best use out of the new airport's facilities.

Second, the purpose behind promoting Suvarnabhumi Airport as the regional aviation hub of Southeast Asia would be defeated if the government were to reopen Don Muang for international flights. Bangkok is not Berlin or London, which can afford to have more than two international airports in the same city. Most international airlines do not like the idea of having two international airports in Bangkok, as it will create confusion and delays for them given the absence of a mass transit link between Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi.

Besides, Suvarnabhumi still has some capacity left to handle up to 45 million passengers a year. As a bottleneck now looks imminent, the government should plan ahead for further expansion of Suvarnabhumi.

Third, if Don Muang were to be reopened at all, it should confine its operation to handling only domestic flights, which do not require international connections. In this case, THAI's business would not be hurt. THAI and the low-cost airlines then would be able to use Don Muang on a voluntary basis.

Fourth, the Surayud government should be aware that vested interests might be involved in trying to reopen Don Muang for international flights. There are rumours that the Army has taken control over Suvarnabhumi already, and that as a result the Air Force would like to have "a piece at the action" via Don Muang. The Surayud government, which has pledged to run the country with transparency and accountability, should make it clear that it is acting in the interests of the country when it decides on the issue of Don Muang.

Again, we would like to call on the Surayud government to reconsider any plan to reopen Don Muang for international flights. We can only agree that Don Muang should serve only domestic flights. This would serve Thailand's national interests as a whole.