Thailand follows ICAO guidelines

BANGKOK, August 24 (TNA) - Thailand has followed the guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and expected the UN agency should withdraw its warning "red flag" from the Thai aviation system by the end of this year. Thai Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith made the remarks on August 23, saying that his ministry will invite an ICAO team to visit Thailand for a fresh inspection of the Thai aviation sector, the result of which should be known within 60 days thereafter, or by late 2017. Arkhom told journalists that he expected a good news from the ICAO experts in the new inspection, as the Thai government, through his ministry, has solved problems within the UN aviation regulator's framework to uphold the country's aviation standard, especially a thorough screening of standard qualifications prior to the certification of new airlines. The minister said he, earlier in the day, chaired a public seminar on shared views towards Thailand's new master plan on air transport to be in line with a new 20-year national development strategy (2017-2036), aimed to enhance the country's competitiveness on air transport. According to the minister, Thailand could even become an international aviation hub in the future when all national aviation functions would be successfully integrated, including the development of airports, airlines, aviation businesses, aviation regulations, aviation management and security, as well as basic infrastructure of air transport services. (TNA)