Our Beloved King, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej

His Majesty the King conversing with the local populace who came to greet Him during a visit to a Royally Initiated Development Project

HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL pledge graciously given by His Majesty truly blessed to be his subjects. The fol- PREM TINSULANONDA King Bhumibol Adulyadej, King Rama IX lowing are a few examples of the royal ac- President of the of Thailand, has been echoing in our tivities and projects that will have an ever- Privy Council and hearts ever since the coronation day, May lasting impression not only on me, but on Statesman, Kingdom of 5, 1950. From that day on, not even one all Thai people. Thailand day has passed without him feeling heart- Domestically, one of His Majesty’s felt concern about his subjects’ lives. His major concerns is his subjects’ standard of “We will reign with Majesty always takes his subjects’ difficul- living. If the Thai people can live their righteousness, for the ties as if they were his own, and he would lives comfortably enough without having benefit and happiness not hesitate to tackle them. It is not an ex- to struggle for such basic needs as food or of the Thai people.” This inaugural royal aggeration, therefore, to say that we are shelter, other social problems can be miti-

VOLUME 29, NUMBER 4 POSTED WITH PERMISSION. COPYRIGHT © LEADERS MAGAZINE, INC. LEADERS 135 gated. His Majesty’s royal addresses clearly of tubes and propellers. Several models of seen in every aspect of his impeccable reflect the importance of agriculture to the Chaipattana Aerator have been used manner and unsurpassed sense of self- the nation and its people: to help treat water in swamps, ponds, and less sacrifice. “The prosperity of the country relies many other waterways. Interestingly, His He is not only our King, he is also on ensuring that the prosperity of agricul- Majesty appears to be the only monarch in our father. ture is given top priority.” the world to have received patents on This year marks the auspicious 60th One might have heard of His product inventions, one of which is, of anniversary of His Majesty’s accession to Majesty’s “New Theory” a few years ago. It course, the award-winning Chaipattana the throne. We celebrate, and the best is, indeed, not new at all, for he thought Aerator Model RX-2. way to celebrate is to follow in His of its principles and concepts quite a long In addition to the management and Majesty’s footsteps, fulfill His Majesty’s time ago. According to His Majesty, “the treatment of water resources, His Majesty wishes, and give back what we owe him New Theory is one way to enable the peo- has given much concern to flood manage- and Thailand. ple to have enough food; they won’t be ment. The Kaem Ling – or Monkey Cheek rich but they will have sufficient food and – Project is designed to keep water from KHUNYING SUDARAT won’t go hungry.” flooding important areas, by diverting it KEYURAPHAN His Majesty takes natural water sup- into designated “monkey cheeks.” They Minister of Agriculture ply very seriously, as was reflected in his might be canals or manmade waterways and Cooperatives, speech delivered at Chitralada Villa on outside the areas capable of holding the Kingdom of Thailand March 17, 1986: “It is important for us to floodwater. They are to hold the water have water to drink and use because life is until the seawater has gone down enough His Majesty King Bhu- here. If there is water, we can survive. If for gravity to release the floodwater from mibol Adulyadej has there is no electricity, we also can survive. the “monkey cheek.” The Kaem Ling Pro- been in the hearts of But if there is electricity but no water, we ject has worked out well in many flood- the Thai people for cannot survive.” prone areas, thus preventing a lot of agri- more than 60 years. Under the constitu- Famous royal projects dealing with cultural and economical damage. tion, His Majesty is bestowed with the sta- water management are the Rainmaking All the above royal projects and tus of head of state of the kingdom. It is Project, the Chaipattana Aerator, and the activities clearly demonstrate that, since apparent that the King has contributed Kaem Ling Project (Monkey Cheek Pro- his accession to the throne 60 years ago, extensively to the country and the Thai people. This has not been exag- gerated, since one may witness many activities His Majesty has initiated and undertaken for the benefit of the Thai people all over the kingdom. His Majesty, also known as “Father of the Land,” regularly visits Thai people around the country, which enables him to attend to the hardships and the needs of his people. Records reveal that many royal projects have been designed to offer alternatives or solutions to problems to do with sustainability and self-reliance, so as to pro- mote the welfare of the people and their economic prosperity. These cover agriculture, irrigation, livestock development, fisheries, land reform and development, deforestation, rural His Majesty the King giving lectures on water resource management to students during a visit to the Raj Prachanukhhroh 13 Spillway and development, etc. Laem Phak Bia Environmental Research and Development Project, under the Royal Initiation of His Majesty the King (above and right) In the field of agriculture, His Majesty has a very clear ject). The Rainmaking Project, conceived His Majesty has never stopped dedicating vision. He often seeks firsthand informa- by His Majesty in 1955, when looking up himself to his subjects’ welfare, by cease- tion by talking with farmers, village lead- to the clouds during a royal visit to a lessly seeking ways to bring about pros- ers, and government officials. Afterward, northeastern province, has evolved to perity and happiness to the country. His preliminary plans are prepared by the become an operating center to relieve greatness as a ruler-educator has earned government authorities concerned with drought throughout the country. Thanks him the love and respect of all Thai peo- further action and implementation, as to its perfect combination of the right ple. His Majesty has given so much to his necessary. Against the backdrop of glob- amounts of nontoxic chemical substances, subjects and his country without discrim- alization, the King has graciously advised wind speed, altitude, temperature, and ination or returns of any kind. We all government officials and the Thai people humidity, all farmers have to do is to then shall do our best to help lessen His on how to lead their lives according to make ready their water containers! Majesty’s concerns, though it may not the concept of self-sufficiency. A lot of polluted water with low oxy- even be close to a fair return for what we Since the agricultural sector has his- gen levels is no more useful than no water owe to His Majesty and the country. torically been the backbone of the king- at all. The Chaipattana Aerator, one of His Nonetheless, if one wishes to do good, to dom, the Ministry of Agriculture and Majesty’s mechanical inventions, is an be a good person for oneself and for Cooperatives has followed in his footsteps electrical device that adds oxygen by stir- society as a whole, one need look no fur- by encouraging farmers to become truly ring up polluted water using various types ther for an excellent example. It can be self-reliant.

136 LEADERS POSTED WITH PERMISSION. COPYRIGHT © LEADERS MAGAZINE, INC. VOLUME 29, NUMBER 4 For example, the Royal Irrigation for the benefit and happiness of the Thai putting relevant theories into practice. Department, Ministry of Agriculture and people.” Therefore, it was my greatest fortune Cooperatives, has undertaken many royal In my capacity as Minister of Agricul- to have worked with the King, who has projects in response to increased water ture and Cooperatives, I believe that His had a grand vision for the country and has inflow, and has adequately stabilized the Majesty the King might rightly be called an never ceased to care for the well-being of water quantity for efficient management “agriculture monarch.” His initiatives, wis- his people. by inter- and intra-river-basin diversion, dom, and endless efforts have made the from surplus areas to deficit areas. These country prosperous in a stable and sus- CHATRI SOPHONPANICH measures are to ensure water stability and tained fashion. Chairman, the mitigation of water-shortage problems In my last remarks before conclud- Bangkok Bank in the long run. ing, I invite all Thai people and residents Furthermore, the Bureau of Royal of Thailand to join me in solemnly declar- His Majesty King Bhu- Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation had ing, “Long live the King.” mibol Adulyadej, the been established under the Ministry of longest-reigning mon- Agriculture and Cooperatives, in PRAMOTE MAIKLAD arch in Thai history, is response to His Majesty’s project, with a Senator and Former undoubtedly at the view to mitigating drought conditions in Director General, center of all Thai peo- needy areas. The Royal Irrigation ple’s hearts. The love and devotion we Another example is the setting up of Department, Kingdom feel for our King goes beyond respect for the Royal Project Foundation, aimed at of Thailand his position. substituting opium cultivation with high- Throughout his 60-year reign, he has value crops and vegetable cash crops in His Majesty King Bhu- shown nothing but selfless devotion the hill tribes of the northern region. The mibol Adulyadej has toward his country and people. He has project not only reduced the opium sup- devoted nearly half a never once broken the promise he made ply, but also improved the living standards century to various kinds of royal projects, in his coronation speech that he would of the people. initiated to develop remote regions of rule according to a strict code of justice The Thai people and the world have Thailand and improve the lives of the and ethics for the utmost benefit of all recognized and appreciated the benevo- locals. people of Thailand. lence of His Majesty in his tireless contri- What impressed me, as a member of During his 60 long years on the bution to the welfare of the country and His Majesty’s irrigation team for 22 years, throne, he has initiated more than 3,000 his people, fulfilling the pronouncement was his acute awareness of the vital impor- royal projects to support the well-being of made at his solemn coronation, which tance of water, his unfailing eagerness to the Thai people. He has a particular inter- reads: “We will reign with righteousness, solve water problems, and his genius for est in the development and better man-

VOLUME 29, NUMBER 4 POSTED WITH PERMISSION. COPYRIGHT © LEADERS MAGAZINE, INC. LEADERS 137 agement of natural resources in rural frequently spend several days and nights embankment that prevented us from areas. The places where he experiments in different parts of the nation. In those going further, we were finally at our wits’ and practices his initiatives are nowhere days before RDPB boarding houses had end. We didn’t know where to turn, so but his very own royal palaces. Instead of been built, we had to stay at hotels or we had no other choice but to stop in creating a nice tropical garden for his guesthouses run by governmental organi- the middle of the rice field. His Majesty pleasure, he chose to turn a large part of zations, very often the Irrigation Depart- got out of the car, complained, and his palace into labs and barns. The sacri- ment. We worked hard and always experi- asked us where we were going. He said fice he has made for his people is beyond enced great adventures. that we had got lost at the first junction explanation. Our hearts are filled with Almost every other day, His Majesty and added that we had come the wrong love and devotion. traveled to visit different projects and his way. The right way was not this far. That His talents in other areas, such as art, people. He always went out in the after- night, we were lucky that it was so dark. public health, and the economy, are also noon and returned very late at night. His Majesty didn’t have a chance to see undeniable. When the country faced an When traveling to stay at Hua Hin, we that our faces had suddenly changed economic crisis in 1997, most people lost would encounter hot weather; when tak- color because of our shame and guilt. their jobs and had to live with difficulties. ing a trip to the south, we would experi- Instead of us leading His Majesty, this He introduced the concept of the “suffi- ence rain; when we journeyed to the time he had to lead us, and like he said, ciency economy,” essentially the art of northeast, we would go through both hot it was not that far at all. This experience self-reliance, which is an effective counter and chilly conditions; and when we went left us laughing and His Majesty was not to feelings of helplessness and depression to the north, we would have to bear the angry at us after all. and a way of meeting life’s challenges. wintry climate and rough paths. Even Another impressive and hard-to-for- Our King Bhumibol is truly “a father though the weather was harsh and the get image is of His Majesty when he had to all Thai people” – a father who always trails were so rough that His Majesty had recovered from a sickness and started protects and takes care of everyone in his to travel by helicopter most of the time, working again after some time off. That home, the Kingdom of Thailand, no mat- he never complained. Conversely, I first day back, he traveled to Cha-am Dis- ter what roots we have or what religion noticed that he took pleasure in relieving trict, where the Huai Sai Royal Develop- we follow. We feel fortunate and grateful the plight of his subjects and solving the ment Study Center is located. I remember indeed to have been born under the pro- problems of the kingdom. vividly that, after graciously granting ini- tective shield of the King. Throughout the visits, His Majesty tiatives, he asked the royal cavalcade to Bangkok Bank is deeply grateful for was so kind, and taught us continually. We stop beside a valley called Saboo Valley. his kindness in granting us the auspicious have learned so many things about how Although the sun had nearly set, the glit- royal insignia, the Royal Garuda, for 39 we can truly serve our country. tering light was still apparent. Birds began years. It has inspired us to contribute to A lot of times that I guided His to fly back to their nests. I saw His the country and to all Thai people. Majesty, we got lost along the way, even Majesty taking photographs of the sur- Bangkok Bank’s executives and though we had maps and proper equip- roundings. A cool breeze was blowing employees join with all the citizens of ment. It was soon discovered that His with a little drizzle of rain. It was so Thailand to wish His Majesty long life, Majesty knew every inch of his land and refreshing. During those hours, His great health, and eternal happiness. every detail of his people. Majesty was so happy. He said that he One example is when His Majesty hadn’t been outside like this for quite DR. SUMET TANTIVEJKUL went to Pru Kae Kae and ordered us to some time. He made it clear that he was Secretary General, change a plan suddenly, leaving us in thoroughly enjoying his return to work. The Chaipattana great chaos. I remember that evening he Since then, many of his projects have Foundation, Bangkok wanted to travel to observe another area, begun to make progress, one after so we had to change the plan in the mid- another, and now they have spread to Last year, on May 5 – dle of the woods. That led us to meet almost every corner of the country. Coronation Day – those Uncle Wadeng, who brought us joy and I want all Thai people to understand who had received the laughter. that the starting point for these projects most illustrious order While we were getting off the heli- was not His Majesty’s office. On the of Chula Chom Klao copter when we had reached Kalasin ground, in the water – when he traveled had an audience with His Majesty at the Province, His Majesty told us that he by boat – and in mid air, His Majesty was Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall. After leav- wanted to visit Lam Payeng first. Our able to think of projects that created ing the chapel to pay homage at the Royal group, having many experts in it, includ- numerous benefits for his subjects. It is Pantheon, His Majesty was passing our ing an engineer from the Irrigation their recollections that are hard to forget. group when he paused a little, turned to Department and map soldiers with special As for the Wat Mongkol Chaipettana me, and said, “How is the Wat Mongkol ranks and titles such as Colonel and Ph.D., Project, which His Majesty mentioned to project? Have you been to visit? We had so had to promptly alter the plan. After the me on May 5 this year, the starting point much fun back then, didn’t we?” Of royal cavalcade moved, we were very was even more amusing. His Majesty asked course, even a short conversation with His happy to pick up a villager who was walk- us to find an area and a temple according to Majesty creates the greatest delight and ing along the road wearing only a loin- his descriptions, which were told in a story. gladness, but the more we listened to what cloth, because he told us that he knew the “Back in the period of King Rama V, there His Majesty said about the past, the more way to that area. was a man whose name was hidden. He appreciative I felt, and I thought back to We took responsibility for leading traveled with his grandfather to make merit the time when I worked for His Majesty as the way by asking that villager and find- at the Buddha’s footprint. On their way Secretary General of the Royal Develop- ing the directions on the map. We kept back, they stopped to make merit with 80 ment Projects Board (RDPB), after 1981. It driving until we discovered that there chang (the old Thai currency before it was was the time when I experienced the was no proper road to follow anymore, changed to baht) at the temple.” His greatest happiness and enjoyment I have so we had to drive along an incredibly Majesty sometimes gave us a puzzle like ever known in my working life. rough and bumpy path, through huge this to figure out. If we couldn’t work it out, During that time, because he always pieces of rocks beside a canal. It was so we couldn’t succeed in the mission given. visited every region of the country, His rutted that His Majesty named that path a With only a short story, we had to find that Majesty spent over half of each year out- “disco” path. After wobbling along for temple. Finally we found Wat Mongkol and side the capital, causing us to follow and quite some time, until we ran into a long he said it was the correct one.

138 LEADERS POSTED WITH PERMISSION. COPYRIGHT © LEADERS MAGAZINE, INC. VOLUME 29, NUMBER 4 His Majesty the King, accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, during a visit to Huai Sai Agricultural Research and Development Centre

As we explored the temple in dis- Since that day, the phrase “New Theory” and sacrifice a bit of comfort for the good guise, we were told a bizarre story. The has become well known to all people of the whole, this country and its trea- villagers told us that several of them had around the country. sures will pass to our successors in the had a dream about His Majesty, in which As you can see, each project has its future. the unfinished chapel was completed own interesting, exciting, amusing, and May Your Majesty continue to enjoy with the help of a noble person. The next memorable story, which enabled us to put the blessings of a prosperous and long morning, we disguised ourselves as local all the exhaustion behind us, as His life. millionaires who wanted to buy up Majesty reminded me on May 5, 2005 – pieces of land, but it was unsuccessful. Coronation Day, a meaningful day for all HAROLD LINK The villagers didn’t believe us because Thai people. Managing Partner, B. we told them that we would buy these Today, we have to admit that we feel Grimm & Co., R.O.P., pieces of land and develop them for the lonely because we don’t have an oppor- Bangkok benefit of the villagers. Who would tunity to follow and accompany His believe us? Are there any investors like Majesty as before. Even the short conver- From my earliest child- that in the world? The disguise was sation that he had with me at the Temple hood, my father, who exposed when we were trying to buy the of the Emerald Buddha has left a cheer- was the Thai Consul land from Uncle Somchit. There was a less feeling in my heart. The “benefits General to Hamburg calendar hanging on the wall in his that come from happiness” that His for nearly 40 years, house. The picture in the calendar was of Majesty has created for his kingdom are would tell me repeatedly how fortunate His Majesty and the whole gang of fake too magnificent to completely put into Thailand was to have an enlightened millionaires. Uncle Somchit accidentally words. Even if the sun was too strong, monarch. He always praised him as a shin- glanced at the calendar and noticed the the rain was pouring, or he had to climb ing example of exemplary leadership. likeness between ourselves and the gang countless mountains, walk in mud, or in Later, when I went to live in Thailand after in the calendar. The gang then had to tell floods, he would be willing to devote his studying in Switzerland, my uncle would the truth, and the purchase became might to his people. For the past 59 tell me the same thing. much easier. years, His Majesty has done a great deal Today, Thais and foreigners residing After that, the development took to make this land secure, stable, strong, in Thailand alike know that His Majesty is place. When the villagers come to make and serene. We are all responsible for an extraordinary role model for life. They merit, they can also take the opportunity cherishing and taking care of our trea- can also rest assured that their monarch to gain agricultural knowledge at the back sures and helping to alleviate the heavy will lead his people out of any crisis, as of the temple, which was designed as a burdens that His Majesty has been carry- has been proven more than once, even water resource to grow rice, carry out ing for more than half a century. If the when no solution seems possible. farming, and plant orchards. His Majesty Thais follow His Majesty’s concept of It makes us feel humble and want to was very pleased with this development. “knowledge, affection, and solidarity,” follow his lead.• VOLUME 29, NUMBER 4 POSTED WITH PERMISSION. COPYRIGHT © LEADERS MAGAZINE, INC. LEADERS 139 Open Skies, Open Arms

An Interview with Wanchai Sarathulthat, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Communications, and Chairman, Thai Airways International PCL (THAI), Bangkok

plement this auspicious occasion, THAI that country. During the next winter sea- and the Tourism Authority of Thailand son, THAI will launch three weekly services invited our Star Alliance partners to take to Johannesburg in South Africa. part in this event through the Star Alliance THAI’s policy is not only to open Visit Thailand Campaign. This campaign new destinations, but also to enhance was initiated with the aim of increasing flexibility and convenience for passengers traffic to Thailand by an expected 20 per- through increasing flight frequency on the cent. Campaign initiatives include adver- major routes. This season, THAI has tising within the in-flight magazines of all added extra flights to Copenhagen, Stock- 16 member airlines; in-flight promotional holm, and Frankfurt in Europe; Kolkata in videos onboard Star Alliance network India; Osaka and Fukuoka in Japan; and flights; and an online marketing toolkit for Guangzhou in China. promotional communications, public rela- THAI’s eight new A340-500 and A340- tions, and sales promotions with Thailand 600 aircraft make this expansion possible. Airpass in three key markets: Japan, The three ultra-long-range A340-500 oper- Korea, and Germany. ating to New York feature a 215-seat, In addition, THAI introduced the three-cabin configuration. Royal silk class Wanchai Sarathulthat Grand Season Campaign 2006, to attract offers unprecedented standards of hospi- more business and leisure travel to Thai- tality for executive class passengers, with EDITORS’ NOTE Prior to assuming his land during the festive season, running 60 shell-type seats. Premium economy current position, Wanchai Sarathulthat from April to September 2006. We are class has 42 spacious seats, while econ- served as Deputy Permanent Secretary at offering attractive THAI products like the omy class has 113 seats. the Ministry of Transport and Communi- Royal Orchid Holiday Grand Invitation The A340-600 is designed for cations, Director General of the Thai Package, the Homecoming Invitation medium- to long-range flights, and it is Meteorological Department, and Direc- Package, and the Meeting and Incentive configured with a total of 267 seats in tor General of the Marine Department. Package in cooperation with the Thailand three classes. The royal first class cabin has He holds an M.A. in political science Convention and Exhibition Bureau. All eight shell-type seats with 83-inch pitch from Ramkhamhaeng University and an products and activities are designed and 180-degree recline, arranged in a sin- LL.B. from Thammasat University. according to the calendar of Thailand gle row setting for the utmost comfort and Grand Invitation Year. privacy. The royal silk class has 60 shell- COMPANY BRIEF Founded in 1960, The Prime Minister has called for type seats with 60-inch pitch and 170- nationalized in 1977, and publicly listed “open skies.” What does this mean? degree recline, and the economy class on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in The open skies policy was adopted cabin has 199 seats with a recline angle of 1991, Thai Airways International PCL by Thailand in 1998, with the aim of pro- 115 to 122 degrees and 32- to 34-inch (THAI) is the national carrier of the King- moting Thailand’s tourism industry and pitch, in 2-4-2 configuration. All seats in dom of Thailand, operating domestic, developing Bangkok as a top Asian avia- our A340-500 and A340-600 aircraft have regional, and intercontinental flights tion hub by allowing foreign airlines to individual video screens with a video-on- from its home base in Bangkok to key des- carry third and fourth freedom traffic into demand system. tinations around the world. Employing Thailand with unlimited frequency and The reconfiguration program for the more than 25,700 people, THAI is a found- capacity. To attract more foreign airlines existing fleet is progressing. Twelve out of ing member of the integrated worldwide to Thailand, the government is consider- 18 B747-400 planes will be reconfigured air-transport network Star Alliance. ing giving full liberalization to more bilat- with new seats and in-flight entertainment eral partners in the near future. to A340 standards. All eight B777-200 air- There is a new spirit at THAI. How is What are the details of your ex- craft will be fitted with new lie-flat seats, in a the airline being revitalized, and pansion plans? 2-2-2 configuration and with full interactive what plans were made for the ex- During the 2005 to 2006 winter sea- on-demand in-flight entertainment, while pected increase in tourism and travel son, THAI opened three direct flights per economy class will have new seats in a 3-3-3 during the celebrations honoring His week from Bangkok to Moscow, in order format, with expected completion by Majesty the King? to facilitate both business and tourism traf- November 2006. In addition, all six B777- In honor of the 60th anniversary cel- fic between Thailand and Russia. We also 300 aircraft will be retrofitted with new ebrations of His Majesty’s accession to the operate two flights per week from Bangkok seats and in-flight entertainment, to the throne, this year has been designated as to Islamabad in Pakistan, in addition to the same standard as the B777-200ER interior. Thailand Grand Invitation Year. To com- existing flights to Karachi and Lahore in First delivery will be in October 2006.• 140 LEADERS POSTED WITH PERMISSION. COPYRIGHT © LEADERS MAGAZINE, INC. VOLUME 29, NUMBER 34 The Airport-tropolis

An Interview with Somchai Sawasdeepon, Senior Executive Vice President and General Manager, Suvarnabhumi Airport Operations, Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT), Bangkok

currently under construction, is the sixth tural features built into the airport. The airport in the AOT group. In 2005, the air- concourse buildings have pointed and ports accommodated 47.3 million passen- sloping roofs, and there are glass doors gers on 330,364 flights. The New Bangkok etched with traditional Thai designs and Int. Airport Co. Ltd. (NBIA), a subsidiary of Thai artwork in the buildings. AOT, was established in 1996 as the orga- How big an event was the airport nization primarily responsible for the opening? construction of the Suvarnabhumi Air- It was a major event. We became port, coordinating relevant state and pri- operational at the end of June. However, vate- sector entities. we landed two aircraft in September of 2005, an Airbus A340 and a 747 jumbo jet. The construction of Suvarnabhumi So the airport proved early that it can han- Airport is a mega project. What dle such aircraft. makes this airport bigger and better Does this airport accommodate than the others? the new developments in aviation? It accommodates about 45 million Yes. Everything is designed for the passengers a year. We also have commer- new Airbus A380, from the taxiways to the Somchai Sawasdeepon cial duty-free operations, which we oper- runways and parking positions. This is a ate differently than other international air- state-of-the-art airport. EDITORS’ NOTE With a bachelor’s degree ports. We concentrate on providing good What is your overarching vision in electrical engineering and a master’s facilities, prices, and quality of product. We for the airport? degree in business administration, Som- are having an independent consultant The Thai government has talked chai Sawasdeepan has served in techni- come in several times a year to check the about this being an “airport-tropolis” – a cal, administrative, and managerial posi- price and quality of the goods to make combination of a metropolis and an air- tions in several government ministries, sure we remain competitive. port. The airport has its own district in state enterprises, and public companies. How do you make travel easier Bangkok, and its surrounding areas will He has served as assistant managing for passengers than it is at other in- develop in concert with it. It’s not just an director of procurement and senior exec- ternational airports? airport; it’s much more than that. So we utive vice president of administration for We have a strategy to always provide see many opportunities for investors to the New Bangkok International Airport the “service smile” to our passengers; our take part in this district. For instance, Co., Ltd.. Prior to assuming his current officers will service our passengers with a there may be opportunities for duty-free position he was senior executive vice pres- smile and take care of them. We believe zones, where materials can be imported, ident and project director of management we are a passenger-oriented airport. We where Thai labor can be used for manu- and construction for the Suvarnabhumi have everything under one roof – domes- facturing, and where finished goods can Airport Project for Airports of Thailand tic and international – so you don’t have then be exported. However, our major Plc. In addition to his current post, he is to run from one terminal to another. We concern, until the recent past, was to get chairman of the board of directors of Thai have people-mover systems so that peo- the airport completed and in to operation. Aviation Refueling Co, Ltd. ple don’t have to walk so much. Further- Now that the airport is open, we will more, we have transportation for handi- further its development. We have COMPANY BRIEF Founded in 1979 and a capped passengers. Also, we have the in- designed it to handle 45 million passen- limited public company since 2002, the line screening baggage handling system to gers annually, but we have plans to Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT), is a state screen baggage. It has the latest technol- develop it to handle 100 million to 120 enterprise under the Thai Ministry of ogy and we are the first airport outside million passengers a year. That may be 15 Transport. The company’s registered capi- the U.S. to utilize this explosive-detection or 20 years down the road, but that’s the tal is currently THB 14.3 billion, and in and scanning system. So we are up to potential of this airport. 2005, AOT reported an operating profit of speed with the Transportation Security You seem to have a very opti- THB 9,638.2 million. The five major air- Administration’s requirements. Our air- mistic view. ports currently under AOT management port information management system also This is Thailand’s view, and the are Bangkok International Airport, Chi- links all of our systems together to maxi- prime minister’s. We look forward, not ang Mai International Airport, Hat Yai mize our efficiency. back. There is only one way to go with International Airport, Phuket Interna- How is the airport’s architectural this airport: up.• tional Airport, and Chiang Rai Interna- design unique? tional Airport. Suvarnabhumi Airport, There are traditional Thai architec- The Suvarnabhumi Airport terminal