Tortrakul Yomnak said the selection would be rigorous and preclude any hint of corruption.

The consultant can be local or foreign but must have a minimum 10 years' experience and no business interest or conflict with either the joint venture that designed the airport or the AOT.

Employment conditions and prerequisites will be published within two weeks.

Tortrakul said the terms of reference would be transparent.

This would help the AOT overcome the unfavourable image associated with allegations of favouritism and fixed bidding from previous projects, he said.

Tortrakul said that the AOT had received advice from the Engineering Council of Thailand that emergency repair work - including drilling of runways to pump underground water - was needed.

The AOT will pay the estimated Bt500 million for repairs and then seek compensation in the courts from those found to be responsible for flaws, he said.