Suvarnabhumi Airport resumes full service

Large number of passengers lined up at check-in counters since 6am, altogether in a festive atmosphere.

Traditionally-clad dancers and rural kathin players beating gongs and drums greeted departing passengers with apologies from the people of Thailand, in elegant processions organised by the Ministry of Culture.

The first three flights were Thai Airways International, Thai Air Asia, and Bangkok Airways, while varied international airlines were to gradually resume their flights later in the day, with it being expected that a total of more than 100 flights would operate Friday.

 Acting Transport Minister Santi Prompat had inspected the readiness of the airport as officials from many agencies including the Department of Civil Aviation, the International Civil Aviation Organisation, the International Air Transport Association and the Airport Operation Committee who together observed the airport in operation on Friday morning to ensure passenger safety and security.

Customs Department director general Uthit Thammawathin said the department - and Thailand -- had suffered the loss of revenue from taxes and duties amounting to hundreds of million baht as many cargo shipments were stranded because of the closure of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.

The director-general said he has instructed the customs officials to strictly inspect the cargo as the smugglers may take this opportunity to smuggle or transfer illegal goods during the time the officials tried to clear the stranded cargo.