Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok ThailandHistory of Suvarnabhumi AirportPlanning for the new Thailand Airport began in the 1960s and has been subject to may delays and over-runs due to alleged corruption, budget overspends, workers being spooked by 'spirits' and various military coups and student demonstrations.
When you consider all this, it has been an amazing feat to get the airport open. The project was put on ice a few times but the construction was finally started in 2002 with an ambitious plan to open at the beginning of 2005. Teething ProblemsThe airport has been built on reclaimed marsh land which may account for some of the problems encountered since its official opening in September 2008. The opening was dogged by criticisms about flight delays and luggage being lost or taking anything up to 5 hours to get to the passengers.Suvarnabhumi Airport is not alone in having teething problems, you may recall the problems at London Heathrow Airport when the 'state of the art' Terminal 5 was opened. It was completely chaotic and embarrassing for the British Government as well as the airport authorities. These are just distant memories now that the terminal is working efficiently at full capacity.
Ongoing concerns over cracks in the taxiways and quality of the 2 runways have led to a regular pumping of excess water from the ground and a strategy on on-going repairs. For a few years after the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport, some of the major carriers led by Thai airways moved many of their domestic flights back to Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport, the former international airport in Bangkok because of concerns about passenger comfort and the airports ability to provide a good travel experience. FacilitiesKnowing the history doesn't distract from the fact that the passenger experience is now very positive, at least it has always been so for us.
The look and feel of Suvarnabhumi Airport is very futuristic and despite the millions of passengers that travel through, it never feels too crowded as it does in some of the older airports with claustrophobic terminals. There is only one super terminal so it is not difficult to get it right! The layout is on multiple layers so you are always in the correct building even if you manage to get on the wrong floor. The Terminal is organised as follows (level 1 not accessible):
Departure LoungesThis is where you generally spend most of your time at the airport, so it’s important that this is comfortable with enough facilities to make your wait comfortable.
International Departures - As you go through passport control, you will be directed left or right towards your departure gate. For ardent shoppers, it does not matter which way you are directed because one side is the mirror of the other. The shopping Mall spreads through a long wide concourse before arriving at the intersection where you will find your gates. This intersection is where you will find all the restaurants. They have food to cater for most nationalities, coffee shops and bars; all at airport prices:-) but not too dear! Domestic Departures - We have spent many happy hours in these waiting to fly to our favourite resorts: Krabi - Unsurpassed for scenery Chiang Mai - The rose of the North The domestic departure lounge has a decent restaurant overlooking some scenic gardens so you don't get the feeling of being hemmed in.
Top TipIf it is your first visit to Thailand make sure you have already booked your transfer rather than taking a chance of finding something there. There are plenty of people waiting who will promise you a cheap ride but charge over the top prices.Return from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Thailand Airports
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