Welkom in Thailand

Suvarnabhumi International Airport

Bangkok's new cross-roads to the World

After more than four decades of planning, Bangkok's new 155-billion baht (US$ 4 billion), state-of-the-art Suvarnabhumi International Airport - featuring the largest terminal building and tallest control tower in the world - opened officially on September 28 2006. The new airport began full domestic and international operations at exactly 03:00, as scheduled.

The super-modern eight-storey steel and glass airport complex, including an underground level where there will eventually be electric mass transit facilities and passenger terminals, has a total area of some 563,000 square metres on a 3,100 hectares site and can cater to 45 million passengers annually. Following further expansion phases, including two additional runways, it will be able to cater to 100 million passengers per year.

Transport services will include limousines, airport shuttle buses, and an airport express service - the latter with buses running through the capital's major business areas such as Silom and Wireless Roads. Plans are on the cards too for an overhead rail link that will swiftly transport passengers to and from central Bangkok. This will cut traveling time between the airport and the city centre to only 15 minutes - as opposed to the 40 minutes it is expected to (presently) take traveling by either bus or car/taxi.

The new airport operates as many as 76 flights per hour - both international and domestic - on two simultaneous runways. It has 51 direct link aircraft stands and 69 remote parking bays for wide-bodied aircrafts and can handle over 1,46 million tons of cargo annually. Road access to Suvarnabhumi will be provided by a series of new highways connecting to Bangkok's existing outer ring road.

Named Suvarnabhumi (meaning 'Golden Land') by His Majesty King Bumibol Adelyadej, the new airport is one of the biggest and most modern in the world. It is set to further improve Bangkok's prominence as a travel hub in Thailand and Asia. Of the 11,6 million arrivals to Thailand in 2004, a total of 8,2 million (or about 70,6 % came through Bangkok. Many of them also use the Thai capital as the gateway for taking onward flights to numerous other destinations throughout the Asia-Pacific region. New routes will also link the airport to the popular tourist spots of Pattaya and Rayong. There is also a plan to connect Suvarnabhumi with Don Muang (the old airport), which is being used for some domestic, charter, VIP and military flight operations.

Also see Suvarnubhumi Fact Sheet.

Airport Contacts

Passenger Service
Tel: +66 (0)2 134 2511-3 Fax: +66 (0)2 134 2509
Ticketing Booth
Tel: +66 (0)2 134 2213 Fax: +66 (0)2 134 2508
Lost & Found
Tel: +66 (0)2 134 2214 Fax: +66 (0)2 134 2508

All photographs courtesy of the Airports of Thailand Public Company (AOT).

Don Mueang to permanently re-open

March 21, 2007

All domestic flights of the two low-cost carriers Orient Thai / One Two Go and Nok Air are scheduled to start using Don Mueang Airport from March 25, 2007, together with certain non-connecting flights of Thai Airways. The easiest way to tell which airport to use for Thai Airways (TG) is that flights with four digits (TG flight numbers) will operate from Don Mueang (airport code DMK), while flights with three digits will stay at Suvarnabhumi (airport code BKK). To make sure you're using the right airport, this information will be useful.

Which Airport to use?

- All international and other carriers, unless otherwise stated, will continue to use Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

- All domestic flights of the two low-cost carriers Orient Thai / One Two Go and Nok Air are scheduled to start using Don Mueang Airport from March 25, 2007.

- The new Airport Code for Don Mueang is DMK, and that for Suvarnabhumi will remain BKK.

- The easiest way to tell which airport to use for Thai Airways (TG) is that flights with four digits (TG flight numbers) will operate from Don Mueang (airport code DMK), while flights with three digits will stay at Suvarnabhumi (airport code BKK).

- Thai Airways flights that will use Don Mueang Airport include these destinations: Khon Kaen, Hat Yai, Phitsanulok, Surat Thani, Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani.

- Thai Airways flights to and from Krabi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Phuket could use either Suvarnabhumi (three-digit flight numbers) or Don Mueang (four-digit flight numbers).

- Thai Airways flights connecting to and from Phuket to Hongkong and Perth will remain at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, as do connecting flights between Chiang Mai and Kunming.

- Allow between 45 minutes to an hour travelling time between the two airports to be safe, but it is advisable to check with your travel agent or the airport helpline to make sure exactly how much time will be required for connecting flights between the two airports and check-in procedures.

If you are not sure which airport your flight is scheduled for, please consult either your travel agent or the AOT Helpline: +66 (0)2 132 1888

February 21, 2007

Don Mueang To Re-Open on March 25

Bangkok's old airport is scheduled to reopen on March 25. The date for the reopening coincides with the beginning of the summer flight schedules, and is aimed at relieving the strain on five-month old Suvarnabhumi International Airport while parts are closed off for repairs. Don Mueang will serve three budget airlines, One-To-Go Airlines, Nok Air and PB Air, alongside the domestic services of Thai Airways International (THAI). Don Mueang will serve 77 flights a day: 25 Nok Air flights, eight of PB Air and 32 of THAI.

The plan for Don Mueang's future will be evaluated six months after the reopening.Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen said the combined use will enable Bangkok to serve up to 80 million air travelers annually, and the capacity would be suitable for the next ten years. Expansion plans for Suvarnabhumi would be postponed for the meanwhile, with repairs and maintenance enjoying first priority. The Minister has also ordered the speeding up of the Airport Link railway, which will connect Suvarnabhumi with the inner city. The exact flight numbers of those returning to the old airport will soon be announced.

February 17, 2007

Don Mueang Airport to The Rescue

Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has announced that for the first six months of its re-opening, expected around the end of March, Don Mueang International Airport will serve only non-connecting domestic flights. The issue of returning to the old airport has been met with resistance from the Board of Airline Representatives, who protest the costliness of managing split operations. At present, no international flights will be moved back, and it is up to Airports of Thailand (AOT) to ensure that Suvarnabhumi International Airport continues to provide safe services while it is being repaired.

According to the Transport Minister, Theera Haocharoen, the return of non-connecting domestic flights to Don Mueang will reduce air traffic at Suvarnabhumi by 71 flights a day. The minister will propose the return for cabinet approval next week. He said that returning to Don Mueang will be on voluntary decision by airlines. The possibility of returning international flights to Don Mueang will be assessed later. This is based on its capacity to relieve the strain on Suvarnabhumi, while the latter undergoes major reconstruction and probable delays in expansion. Meanwhile, the interim Thai government has given its assurance that the airports issue is high on its list of national priorities.

Two airlines permanently returning to the old airport are Nok Air and One-To-Go. Further details regarding airlines' decisions and the flights that will be affected are expected to be announced soon.

Taxis in Bangkok

Besides the BTS and MRT, the easiest and most convenient way to get around Bangkok is by taxi. Most taxis are new, spacious and, in addition to the traditional green-yellow and red-blue, they also come in funky colours like bright orange, red and even pink. Finding a taxi is not a hassle, especially around hotels, shopping malls and other tourist attractions.

However, you're in for a really long wait when it rains, and during rush hours. The fare starts at 35 baht, and stays there for the first two kilometres. Thereafter, the fare gradually works its way up with 2 baht at a time (roughly per kilometre). A surcharge applies in traffic jams (1.25 baht per metre when moving under 6 km per hour). Typical taxi fares for going a few kilometres are around 50 baht. Communication can be a problem with the majority of Bangkok's taxi drivers as they often speak little English. Improvise, and be imaginative.

Overall, there's never a shortage of taxis in a city that never sleeps. They're cheap and available virtually 24 hours a day. Meter taxis now predominate, but sometimes you may have to politely ask them to switch the meter on to save negotiating later. Since taxis are cheap and the drivers work all hours in traffic that is legendary, a small tip is often appreciated.

A few useful tips to ensure a pleasant ride with Bangkok cabbies:

- Available taxis are the ones with the glowing red vacant sign.

- No need to negotiate the fare as all taxis in Bangkok are now metered (well, sort of anyway). A driver refusing to use a meter is an indication of a suspicious agenda. If he insists on giving you a fixed fare, instead of using the meter, it's best to find another cab.

- Don't be surprised if the driver refuses to take you where you wish to go. There's nothing you can do about it but try your luck with the next taxi.

- It's ok to get a taxi at a bus stop when there's no bus approaching, otherwise you can expect to be honked at.

- Like tuk-tuks, watch out for an over-eager taxi driver who offers to take you to 'good' places.

- Don't expect Bangkok taxi drivers to know the city's every nook and cranny, as a driver qualification exam isn't required. It's always a good idea to carry a map, or the name and the location of where you're heading to written in Thai.

- Look behind you and make sure there's no motorcycle coming before you open a car door. It's very common for passengers to open the door without looking, and have a motorcycle slam into it. This can cause serious injury to the motorcycle driver, the taxi passenger, as well as considerable damage to the taxi itself.

- Tipping of taxi drivers is not required, though rounding the fare off to the nearest 5 or 10 baht is common practice (it's a nice thing to do, as they earn very little, work long hours in often stressful conditions).

- Before getting out of a taxi, make sure you haven't left any valuables or shopping bags behind.

- Trust your intuition. If you don't get a good feeling about a taxi driver, rather wait for the next one. For every nasty taxi driver in Bangkok there is also a good and charming one.

Driving in Bangkok can be huge time-waster and a big headache. Finding your way around the many one-way traffic systems can boggle the mind, and often road signs are in Thai only. So unless you plan to drive outside Bangkok to another destination like the beach, use the very efficient transport services like the Skytrain, or take a cab.

International car hire companies like Avis, Hertz and Budget offer a range of cars and also operate in Pattaya, Hat Yai, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui. Their offices or agents can be found in many hotels around the city. There are also many local car hire companies with competitive rates for saloons, pick-up trucks, Honda CRV's and similar. Avoid public holidays (especially Christmas/New Year and Songkran (around April 13), when roads are very busy and the choice of available vehicles will be limited.

You will need a driver's licence from your country (preferably an international driver's license) and your passport. Oh, and very good insurance is a good idea too.

(Note: Since hiring a motorbike is such a dangerous option, we thought it wise not to even look into the possibility.)