Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok Thailand

The new Bangkok International Airport ( Suvarnabhumi ) is open for all domestic and international flights.

I recently made a visa renewal trip to Penang, Malaysia and traveled through the Suvarnabhumi airport for the first time.

I arrived in the early morning hours, about 5:30 AM, and found the airport gleaming with futuristic blue lights that outlined the main structural components. Very neat and pleasing to view.

My taxi dropped me off far from my Air Asia check in desk. There is still some work to do by the airport to better mark the drop off zones. In entering the main terminal building I was struck by how vast of a facility Suvarnabhumi is. It’s big. Gigantic would be a better word.

I could not find a sign leading to the Air Asia check in counter. The airport has more work to do to make locating your airline check in count easy. However, I was pleased to immediately receive proper directions when I stopped at an information counter. As usual in Thailand the directions were given with a big smile.

If you are traveling through Suvarnabhumi for the first time do be sure to arrive early. The facility is huge and it will take you a little time to orientate yourself. Then you will probably wish to have time to browse the goods at a tremendous selection of duty free shops and restaurants and cafes. This section of the airport is very nicely done.

Be prepared for a complete security check as you head for the gates. I was asked to remove my jacket and my wallet as well as all metal objects in my pockets. However, I was not asked to remove my shoes or to toss away all liquid products and gels in my carry on luggage so compared to the US it was a fast and painless search.

Once I reached my gate ( a long trip in itself, but sure that you arrive at the airport early ) once again I found that the signs could use some improvement. It wasn’t completely obvious which seating area was next to my gate as my sub gate ( “B” after the main number) wasn’t clearly marked. 

But most importantly my flight left right on time and I was aboard in good order so my criticisms are minor.

On the return trip the design of the airport proved to be highly efficient. There were a large number of Thai immigration desks open so processing was quickly accomplished. Upon clearing immigration you immediately enter the baggage claim area. There is no changing levels as is common with so many international airports.

After claiming your baggage the straight through layout continues. With nothing to declare you will probably be waved through the customs desks and immediately enter the airport reception area. There you will find money changing desks, ATM machines dispensing Thai Baht, and hotel and car reservation desks.

In addition, you will find taxi and limo services ready to transport you to your hotel or where ever you may care to go. If you take a taxi make sure that it is a metered one.

The Thais have a little polishing up to do at Suvarnabhumi but I expect that work will be quickly completed. Suvarnabhumi is planned to be the major air hub in Asia and the Thais seem in a hurry to make that happen.

Overall Suvarnabhumi is an impressive well planned airport facility.

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