BEIJING, Dec. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- A top Thai official said Tuesday that problems at Thailand's new international airport can be fixed, but at a cost of about 41.7 million U.S. dollars. 

    Suvarnabhumi Airport began operating on Sept. 28, assuming both domestic and international flights from Bangkok's old airport at Don Muang. But problems immediatly began cropping up, such as a shortage of toilets and seats at waiting areas, inadequate air conditioning, noise pollution and misplaced luggage.

    "We have identified altogether 61 problems and the timeframe has been set for each," said Yodyiam Teptaranon, a member of the board of directors of the Airports of Thailand.

    He said additional toilets would be installed by April while air conditioning problems and the seat shortage would be fixed by February.

    The airport initially built 100 toilets for its more than 100,000 daily passengers, leading to long lines and complaints about dirty facilities. Authorities say they will triple the number of toilets to 300.

    Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal Chalit Phukphasuk, who chairs the committee supervising the airport's operation, said earlier this month that problems would have to be cleared up in about six months so the airport would be ready to receive certification after a scheduled June 2007 inspection by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

    Priority will be given to problems involving runways and lengths of electrical wires that connect the main building to the planes, said Yodyiam.

    (Agencies)