What Is Wrong With Me?

[bendix]

Do people sit on those hard seats? Good grief. I thought they were for decoration.

Why don't you just sit in the rather luxurious lounges instead? :-)

[chinthee]

Ok, here is the definitive int'l trip airport report, including taxis and all other elements (except outgoing immigration & baggage claim on arrival) This report also contains an in-depth look at First/Bus. Class travel on Thai in last paragraph. Departure from BKK Thurs. 9 August and arrival to BKK Sat. 11 Aug. Now, given these departure and arrival times, and given the class and airline of travel I would guess that this is just about as good as it gets at BKK.

Departure from BKK. Early 6:30AM departure. I usually drive and park in short term parking for short trips, but decided to test taxis once again to dispel any myths. Hailed a nice newer Toyota taxi (as most are) in my small residential soi off Sathorn after at most a 2 minute wait. 200Baht + 65 tolls + 100 tip (nice chat with driver). Check in was a snap with Thai Royal Silk class dedicated seated check-in, and dedicated immigration desks. (for this reason I can't report on regular immigration lines leaving BKK). The walk to the gate from immigration was as follows: 10 mins. To security checkpoint. 5 mins in security, 2 mins to gate. Total 17 mins to gate. The departure gate was E5, so this is not too far.

Arrival back to BKK. Early again 6:30AM arrival at gate F5. 8 minute walk to immigration. 4 people in my immigration line. Went through quickly, but saw lines starting to form for other foreigners. I had no check in baggage, so can't comment on that, but did want to check the AOT limo touts INSIDE customs at baggage claim. So, I strolled over to the busiest baggage turnstile looking for the nice lady with the clipboard. Shock. Nowhere to be found. So, I proceeded to customs, when I saw the HUGE round counter with a yellow banner spanning its circumference. In big black block letters it says TAXI. In much smaller type is says AOT Airport Limousine. But for all intents and purposes, this conveys the impression that this is the airport, tourism authority-sanctioned taxi information booth where one can get a "public taxi." Very misleading. Worse, the smiling ladies behind the counter were calling out to me in unison, Taxi, sir???, (sort of reminded me of walking past the tourist beer bars "where you go?") and at the same time, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted another clipboard lady attempting an intercept path, and I did a fancy juke and sidestep move as I said "no thanks."

So, I go through customs, and wonder what will await me outside the door. Well, to my surprise, the first thing that greets me is ANOTHER big AOT yellow banner counter "TAXI," with further catcalls from the girls. I continued walking intent on counting how many times and from whom I get hit up. After that it wasn't too bad. There was another lady with a green badged jacket of some sort, must be some sort of official taxi service, she tried, I gave her a quick left hook and she fell to the wayside. Finally, as I approached the escalator to go down to the public taxis there was a plain-clothed joker who attempted to step into my path, but rather than say anything, he just flipped his wrist and I caught a flash of some white paper in his hand, which I believe either said "taxi" or perhaps was a dirty picture. In any event, I took out his knees, then hurdled over the top of him, and continued downstairs. The public taxi counter was virtually EMPTY. (AOT grabbed most of them?) I told them quickly in Thai where I wanted to go and had my no-nonsense face on. I was quickly taken to a taxi, where the driver mumbled a few words and promptly flicked on the meter. He must have done 120 the whole way and I was home in 17 minutes! 200 fare + 50 airport tax + 50 tip for the fast ride. Anyway, they appear to have cleaned up a lot of the rogue taxis (or at least reduced them to deaf mutes holding cards), but at the same time, put big reinforcements of AOT touts in their place with big counters. If you can find the public taxis, no problems to report, and no long lines.

All-in-all, a very efficient trip out of and into BKK. No complaints at all, personally. Though, while I was breezing through the taxi stand, there was some farang family trying to work out the taxi situation, and not sure if they were being given any stories or not, but can't personally testify to any problems myself. I will say that this AOT taxi crap is shameless. I feel sorry for the first time travelers coming into BKK. They will mostly probably fall for the dual effort both inside and outside customs, as it is well organized and insistent. It appears almost like the TAT tourism authority-sanctioned information stand for taxis into the city. NOT GOOD.

Thai Airways Royal Silk class travel. I haven't discussed this much before, because it seems like some pretentious posters get their jollys by touting how proud they are to be traveling first and business class. Big f'ing deal. If someone else is paying (company expense), sure fly this way. If you're paying, unless it's a long haul flight, flying to a critical meeting, treating yourself & partner to a nice holiday, or redeye like I just took, it's wasted money.

Anyway, I've flown a number of times in and out of Suvarnabhumi on Thai, and on all classes of service. This week, I flew Royal Silk on a two class aircraft. I will say that if you are based in Thailand, and you do fly business class or higher, Thai is the absolute best service. Apart from being the first drop-off door at the airport, you get the dedicated check-in section, where you actually sit in a civilized private club setting, getting through check-in is a snap. Next, a few paces away, two private immigration officers await your VIP immigration check-out. Again, a snap. The best part of all this, is because you can count on a rapid check in and immigration experience, you don't have to arrive for your flight so early. I arrived only an hour before flight time, and still had time to wolf down some snacks and morning coffee in the club. Finally, not more than a few steps from there, you are descending the escalator to the Royal Orchid Club. The club is very nice, and though this club has the best location of any airport I've seen, the refreshments on offer and other facets fall short of my calling it the best club in Asia. In my opinion, the Pier, Cathay Pacific club in Hong Kong still has that distinction, hands down, with its private bars, good wines served by white-coated barmen, etc.. (no wines ever in Thai clubs) Anyway, what makes the Thai club so good is its fantastic location directly after your VIP check in and immigration treatment. Now, for ROP and Star Alliance Gold members, you can use the club, obviously, even if flying economy class, and there are also dedicated gold card check-in counters, but they are just regular counters, and not close to the First/Bus. Class section. However, after checking in there, and passing through normal immigration, you can easily walk back to the club. Of course, the other advantage of traveling this way is the early boarding, and for First/bus class, first disembarkation upon landing. I have to report that early boarding works very well for Thai. In other airlines, or at other remote airports, where they are not Thai staff, it can sometimes be spotty, but at BKK, it works well. In fact, rather than announce boarding for premium customers first, a staff member just quietly walks around with a nameboard leading all the premium passengers to board first. This works better than announcing boarding, because the barbarian hoards immediately crowd the gate and it gets ugly. As for priority baggage handling, the last few times I've checked in luggage, it continues to be spotty. Sometimes your bags are first off the plane, sometimes not.

In conclusion, things are getting better at BKK. It's mostly running pretty well. It's still not in the top 3 airports in Asia, and maybe never will reach 3rd, because of design errors (long walks - no trains), and public taxi placement/deception.

Oh, BTW, I'm going to post this in a couple of threads because there are multiple threads running on this. And, in response to whether the airport belongs in the top 10 world rankings?? No way. But it works adequately, and it's new and modern.

Oh, and Bendix does have a good sense of humor as he continues to carry the flag for Thailand - metal gate seats for decoration.

[AmeriThai]

I made my first trip in and out of the airport in July. I was a bit concerned that it'd be a confusing maze, but overall, it was fine. Going through customs was quick. Finding the right spot for luggage was no problem, signs were clear and easy to read. My wife, kids and grandkids were there to meet me, so transportation was no problem, although more distant to home than from DM. The only confusion during the arrival was an error on my part. I gave the family my time of arrival but forgot to give them my flight number. That shouldn't have been a problem though because they knew I was arriving on NW Airlines. Where I was, the aisle between the shops seemed mighty narrow though. As it turned out, my son-in-law figured out where I'd be, and found me in no time at all. Okay, I had personal escort service through the airport by an airport staffer.

For departure, luggage was handled quickly. Again, an escort took me to the boarding gate. Along the way I saw a luggage/sports shop that was open (around 5AM) On one level, there were long lines at the security check, so we went down one flight to a less crowded check point. The only problem I could see was that the waiting area at the gate didn't seem well lit and everything looked drab and boring.

Edited August 11, 2007 by AmeriThai

[Mid]

give it up people ,

it's a recognised THREE star jobbie .................................

[Darknight]

well i'll give you an update soon, will be arriving in two weeks.

[bendix]

well i'll give you an update soon, will be arriving in two weeks.

Well, I flew out to Singapore today and for once I wasnt in a lounge - my dumbass secretary booked me an SIA flight and i'm not a member of their frequent flyer program. And cos it's a short flight, I fly cattle class.

I flew at 1.10 and arrived to check in around 11am (no problem getting a taxi from Suk 11 as usual). Absolutely no queues at check in, but passport control was a bit slow and it took around 15 minutes to get through. I stopped at the TMB immediately to the right of passport control to change some baht and wandered off to have a coffee and a sit-down waiting for the flight.

Coffee consumed and - bugger me - I discover I've lost my phone. I hightail it back to all the places I had stopped at and eventually found my way back to the TMB exchange booth where i recovered it.

Bless the girl who served me - she had seen my phone and spent the next 30 minutes calling the people who had called me (incoming calls being recorded), trying to work out how to get it back to me. She eventually reached my wife and offered to bring it to our condo tonight. You can't beat that for service. They were about to put out a 'loudspeaker announcement' when i turned up for it.

Anyway, I recovered it and bought her a box of chocolates as a thank you. It's not an expensive phone; but neither is it a cheapie. There was nothing to prevent her from making no effort and holding on to it.

I sincerely apologise for posting this anecdote. Acts of kindness and grace by Thais - particularly those associated with the airport - are not welcome here, I know.

[onzestan]

well i'll give you an update soon, will be arriving in two weeks.

Bless the girl who served me - she had seen my phone and spent the next 30 minutes calling the people who had called me (incoming calls being recorded), trying to work out how to get it back to me. She eventually reached my wife and offered to bring it to our condo tonight. You can't beat that for service. They were about to put out a 'loudspeaker announcement' when i turned up for it.

Anyway, I recovered it and bought her a box of chocolates as a thank you. It's not an expensive phone; but neither is it a cheapie. There was nothing to prevent her from making no effort and holding on to it.

I sincerely apologise for posting this anecdote. Acts of kindness and grace by Thais - particularly those associated with the airport - are not welcome here, I know.

It helps a lot being a gentleman.

cheers

onzestan

[donna]

nice to see a happy ending bendix. there ARE good people out there.

for me, i have never had a problem at the new airport (too lazy to spell it). i have always found the staff to be very helpful and have no complaints really. but i do agree with the comment about the hard cold seats in the departure lounges.

[chinthee]

well i'll give you an update soon, will be arriving in two weeks.

Well, I flew out to Singapore today and for once I wasnt in a lounge - my dumbass secretary booked me an SIA flight and i'm not a member of their frequent flyer program.

Bendix, I should say old boy, for someone who has pledged his allegiance to Thailand it's quite a shock to hear you aren't a ROP star alliance gold member. I should have thought that you would be flying Thai almost exclusively, like me.

[bendix]

Pledged my allegiance to Thailand, my arse. I'm happy to call a spade a spade and, in this instance, I do everything i can to avoid flying TG. It's a terrible airline. I'm an ROP member, but only via having one of those Amex cards they hawked about a few months ago.

No . . Cathay all the way for me. Oneworld emerald class etc etc. I've even used them on their once a day Bkk to Singapore route before - it's a good price too.

[DirkGently]

Freaks of the world unite. This has happened to me too. I lay awake for days thinking "what have I done?" But it's not just me.

It's an airport. I don't go there for fun. If the spot you depart from is so important, why isn't more written about bus or train stations?

[chinthee]

Pledged my allegiance to Thailand, my arse. I'm happy to call a spade a spade and, in this instance, I do everything i can to avoid flying TG. It's a terrible airline. I'm an ROP member, but only via having one of those Amex cards they hawked about a few months ago.

No . . Cathay all the way for me. Oneworld emerald class etc etc. I've even used them on their once a day Bkk to Singapore route before - it's a good price too.

That's excellent news. Then, we will expect to see that same sort of impartial, objective critique of the airport in the future as well, rather than the cheerleading you've exhibited thus far.

[sukanyacondo]

well i'll give you an update soon, will be arriving in two weeks.

Well, I flew out to Singapore today and for once I wasnt in a lounge - my dumbass secretary booked me an SIA flight and i'm not a member of their frequent flyer program. And cos it's a short flight, I fly cattle class.

I flew at 1.10 and arrived to check in around 11am (no problem getting a taxi from Suk 11 as usual). Absolutely no queues at check in, but passport control was a bit slow and it took around 15 minutes to get through. I stopped at the TMB immediately to the right of passport control to change some baht and wandered off to have a coffee and a sit-down waiting for the flight.

Coffee consumed and - bugger me - I discover I've lost my phone. I hightail it back to all the places I had stopped at and eventually found my way back to the TMB exchange booth where i recovered it.

Bless the girl who served me - she had seen my phone and spent the next 30 minutes calling the people who had called me (incoming calls being recorded), trying to work out how to get it back to me. She eventually reached my wife and offered to bring it to our condo tonight. You can't beat that for service. They were about to put out a 'loudspeaker announcement' when i turned up for it.

Anyway, I recovered it and bought her a box of chocolates as a thank you. It's not an expensive phone; but neither is it a cheapie. There was nothing to prevent her from making no effort and holding on to it.

I sincerely apologise for posting this anecdote. Acts of kindness and grace by Thais - particularly those associated with the airport - are not welcome here, I know.

Whilst hunting for land in Hua Hin my wife left her bag at a roadside cafe with my camera in both phones and her credit card cash card etc. It was only an hour later when we stopped back there and the owner came out waving my wifes bag that she realised she'd done this . Bendix is right you just cant trust these Thais any decent Thai should have run off with it shame on them!! Never mind I expect the price doubled on the land we bought when they saw my face

[chinthee]

well i'll give you an update soon, will be arriving in two weeks.

Well, I flew out to Singapore today and for once I wasnt in a lounge - my dumbass secretary booked me an SIA flight and i'm not a member of their frequent flyer program. And cos it's a short flight, I fly cattle class.

I flew at 1.10 and arrived to check in around 11am (no problem getting a taxi from Suk 11 as usual). Absolutely no queues at check in, but passport control was a bit slow and it took around 15 minutes to get through. I stopped at the TMB immediately to the right of passport control to change some baht and wandered off to have a coffee and a sit-down waiting for the flight.

Coffee consumed and - bugger me - I discover I've lost my phone. I hightail it back to all the places I had stopped at and eventually found my way back to the TMB exchange booth where i recovered it.

Bless the girl who served me - she had seen my phone and spent the next 30 minutes calling the people who had called me (incoming calls being recorded), trying to work out how to get it back to me. She eventually reached my wife and offered to bring it to our condo tonight. You can't beat that for service. They were about to put out a 'loudspeaker announcement' when i turned up for it.

Anyway, I recovered it and bought her a box of chocolates as a thank you. It's not an expensive phone; but neither is it a cheapie. There was nothing to prevent her from making no effort and holding on to it.

I sincerely apologise for posting this anecdote. Acts of kindness and grace by Thais - particularly those associated with the airport - are not welcome here, I know.

Whilst hunting for land in Hua Hin my wife left her bag at a roadside cafe with my camera in both phones and her credit card cash card etc. It was only an hour later when we stopped back there and the owner came out waving my wifes bag that she realised she'd done this . Bendix is right you just cant trust these Thais any decent Thai should have run off with it shame on them!! Never mind I expect the price doubled on the land we bought when they saw my face

I'm surprised you didn't send your wife alone to isolate the price first. That's what I do. I never show my long-nosed face when it's important.

[bendix]

That's excellent news. Then, we will expect to see that same sort of impartial, objective critique of the airport in the future as well, rather than the cheerleading you've exhibited thus far.

Any review is bound to be subjective - that's what a review is. For me, I've always found the airport to suit my needs perfectly. If you prefer, i could pretend to endure long immigration queues everytime. Or i can pretend to be so stupid as to not know how to say no thanks to the touts? Or I can whine about the facilities.

But why? It's a freakin airport. Not a restaurant. I go in. I check in. I go to the lounge. I get on the plane. Thank you very much.

[chinthee]

You weren't so kind to Heathrow... Why not just take a deep breath and admit the following:

BKK is a pretty good, modern new airport. It's working pretty well. It is not among the best in the world or even Asia. Now, that wasn't so hard was it?

Edited August 16, 2007 by chinthee

[bendix]

Completely agree. Frankly, chinthee, we're not far apart on this.

My gripe is not with you; it's with the great whinging classes who see a personal affront in every minor wait at immigration, who see evidence of personal vendettas in limo companies touting for business, and who use their anti-Thai bitterness to complain vociferously that their Burgerking Combo costs 20 baht more at the airport than it does downtown.

<deleted> people - get a grip.

[Lancelot]

I have flown in and out of the new BKK airport several times and never had a problem either.

[bendix]

Flew in last night from Singapore, arriving at 7.15pm. Longer queues at immigration than normal - dozens of bloody mullahs and head-robed Qataris. Oh well, never mind. It's an international airport and I can't have it all my way all the time. The 15 minute queue was an chance to catch up on my emails.

Luggage ready by the time I got through. No customs people loitering (I still havent ever seen them) and no taxi touts. No queues for regular taxis neither.

Was home by 8.30. Not brilliant. Not awful. A normal airport experience.

[Mid]

Not brilliant. Not awful. A normal airport experience

and that Dear Sir ,

is the whole point ,

Thai's were promised something better ................................................................................

.

[samran]

Not brilliant. Not awful. A normal airport experience

and that Dear Sir ,

is the whole point ,

Thai's were promised something better ................................................................................

.

...by Thaksin, who promised that every Thai person would have a money growing tree in each and every backyard and that he and his mates wouldn't stick their snouts in a trough....

If Homer Simpson was a Thai national he'd have promised national doughnut day as well.

It takes time to rectify these things.

[giruz]

Flew in last night from Singapore, arriving at 7.15pm. Longer queues at immigration than normal - dozens of bloody mullahs and head-robed Qataris. Oh well, never mind. It's an international airport and I can't have it all my way all the time. The 15 minute queue was an chance to catch up on my emails.

Luggage ready by the time I got through. No customs people loitering (I still havent ever seen them) and no taxi touts. No queues for regular taxis neither.

Was home by 8.30. Not brilliant. Not awful. A normal airport experience.

Same here. Landed at midnight from Macau. Queues @ Immigration were a bit longer than usual but for the first time I haven't seen anyone dressed like Osama.

Total time before my stamp: about 10 min.

Anyway, while I was walking to belt number 15 I saw my Samsonite coming.

No issues with the taxis.

At home by 00:45.

Edited August 17, 2007 by giruz

[Spee]

I have flown in and out of the new BKK airport several times and never had a problem either.

Ditto for me. I came in yesterday afternoon at what seemed like a peak time. Quite busy and what looked like 8 or 10 heavies unloading at the same time. Granted the immigration line was a bit of a zoo (5 abreast, massive cutting in the queue, etc.) but I was still through in about 45 minutes. I've had similar waits at times in the states and other places. Bag was waiting when I got over to the carousel. Didn't get hassled by a single tout on my way out to the meter taxi stand. Nice conversation with the taxi driver on the way in, and only the typical traffic getting to Sukhumvit. All in all, from the time I stepped off the aircraft until the time I sat down on my hotel bed was just under 2 hours. A little longer than average, but not out of the ordinary.

[canuckamuck]

I have never had a problem at Suvi, never, never ever. Do we forget the old one was an ugly piece of crap.

My only complaint about suvi is no Burger King/Pizza Hut place on the pre customs side. It used to be a bit of a ritual for us.

[bendix]

I have never had a problem at Suvi, never, never ever. Do we forget the old one was an ugly piece of crap.

My only complaint about suvi is no Burger King/Pizza Hut place on the pre customs side. It used to be a bit of a ritual for us.

And, that, in a nutshell, seems to be the experience of most regular users who are realistic about their airport experience - it's a facility to travel, NOT a resort.

I half suspect those who are most vocal in their ludicrous complaints are people who use airports once a year or so, and who don't really understand what they are for. They wander around in a state of bewilderment, unable to distinguish where to go, what to do, and think that 'everyone is out to get them'.

[tuky]

I guess the only problem I have with the airport is departures...arrivals is fantastic.

Funny thing though, every other airport in the world I feel the pposite.

[chinthee]

I guess the only problem I have with the airport is departures...arrivals is fantastic.

Funny thing though, every other airport in the world I feel the pposite.

Tuky, I just can't let this lie. How can you possibily feel arrivals is fantastic if you have to trek downstairs for a public taxi amidst hawking by AOT girls before you get there? I feel just the opposite. I think departures is great. Arrivals is annoying...somewhat, and only given the hype of a new supposedly world class airport (which doesn't rank in any best of categories in the world or even in Asia).

[Mid]

arrivals is where they issue the rose coloured glasses ,

departures is where they repossess the same .................................

[tuky]

I guess the only problem I have with the airport is departures...arrivals is fantastic.

Funny thing though, every other airport in the world I feel the opposite.

Tuky, I just can't let this lie. How can you possibily feel arrivals is fantastic if you have to trek downstairs for a public taxi amidst hawking by AOT girls before you get there? I feel just the opposite. I think departures is great. Arrivals is annoying...somewhat, and only given the hype of a new supposedly world class airport (which doesn't rank in any best of categories in the world or even in Asia).

I much prefer to be coming home than leaving mate, that is what makes the difference

[Johpa]

Just broke my cherry recently at Suwannaphum, after nearly three decades of annual usage of Don Muang, and I too have no major complaints. The plane did not park at a gate which was a bit odd seeing that most gates were unused. Immigration was little different than at Don Muang apart from the feeling I was waiting in line in an underground parking lot. The late night arrival went smoothly and it was easy to find the signs to the metered taxis at the lower level. I had one or two fairly polite requests for taxi service from the usual taxi touts outside of customs, but nothing terribly obnoxious.

Next morning returned for the domestic leg and again all went smoothly and the departure was a breeze. Again plane was parked away from the terminal despite most gates being unused. The return was the same but baggage was slow to arrive and complaints were to be heard by both foreigners and Thais in light of their only being two arrivals during that hour. One must ask what is the point a new domestic terminal when no domestic carriers are willing to pay gate fees?

The International departure check-in was perhaps the largest improvement over Don Muang, followed by the biggest disappointment, the forced walk through the lengthy Kings Power Duty Free Mall to get to the gate. This aspect really is a travesty and an embarrassment to the Kingdom. And I would be really pissed off if I were a transit passenger provided with no options to sit apart from the brutally uncomfortable seats at the departure gates. This same philosophy of design has also afflicted Narita Airport, but at least the seats have some padding and the area devoted to the duty free section at Narita, a far busier airport than Suwannaphum, is a fraction of the area. At long last the International departure finally had a plane parked at an airport gateway. I was able to notice that one of the reasons some of the gates were not being used was due to extensive repavement of the tarmac alongside gates D1 to D3 and adjacent C gates. So pavement and tarmac issues continue to be a problem at the new airport.

Suwannaphum is decidedly Thai in design, looking great from the outside, but being less than 100% comfortable from a usage standpoint, like some of that ornate Thai wood furniture. The airport looks terrific at night from the outside, and looks decent at day from a slight distance. But upon closer inspection the architects clearly graduated from the Terry Gilliam School of Brazilian Design. Not my cup of tea from an architectural point of view, but I am only interested in the functional aspects of an airport, and Suwannaphum is a slightly more functional airport, especially in regards to check-in than was Don Muang.