9 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

Pity they didn’t start 15 years ago. Often times the place is a zoo currently. 

 

I've flown in and out once a month for the last 30 months and I've been impressed with how smoothly it usually runs nowadays.  Unlike pre-Covid when the queues were ridiculous on both arrival and departure (and the taxi queues were criminal).  But you're right.  Occasionally, it is a zoo.  And they need to install more seating in various waiting areas.

2 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

Despite my own skepticism about this (also mostly about passengers), I would agree that - in the long run - Bangkok makes more sense as a cargo hub than expensive Singapore which is, pragmatically, a bit out of the way in any case, or HK for various geopolitical reasons.

Having HK PR status may make me a bit biased, but the hand over to China was in 1997 (geopolitical??) But HKIA I believe still tops the world globally as the largest cargo "hub", followed by Shanghai/Pudong and then maybe Memphis. 

 

They do it right there (HKIA)

 

And their satellite terminal(s) are connected by fast, long (large capacity) underground trains as opposed to BKK's dinky, short (low capacity) trains.....reminiscent of a kid's model train set.#

# I speak from recent experience arriving on an Emirates A380 from HK .

The short (2 carriage ?) dinky 'people mover' ,with only 3 or 4 doors, required passengers to  queue for some time. I finally managed to board the 3rd train! 

The platform has the ability to take trains 2 or 3 times longer!

Pathetic!

Perhaps it is a cunning plan to hold and regulate passenger traffic into immigration, who also had the potential ability to open 30% more positions than were 'manned'.

 

PS. I am a guilo not Chinese!

 

BTW, having a 'completed' Arrival card' I was guided by barriers and staff into the main immigration set-up, bypassing the Priority lane altogether. However the processing was fairly fast and painless (still finger and thumb prints though....can't be too safe). IO didn't want to see or scan the QR code. Waste of time getting that.

"We know who you are" she said sweetly. 

 

 

Well, this airport expansion is a brilliant strategy, isn’t it? When the tourists eventually get bored of Thailand, the Thais can always flog it to the Vietnamese as a hub.

5 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

Pity they didn’t start 15 years ago. Often times the place is a zoo currently. 

When was the last time you flew? It's hasn't been a "zoo" for ages, and even then it was only sporadically.

Check in and security are fast. Outgoing immigration is no more than 2-3 minutes, usually walk straight up to an e-gate. Coming in never more than 5-10 minutes at immigration usually. Much much improved.

1 hour ago, orchidfan said:

the hand over to China was in 1997 (geopolitical??) But HKIA I believe still tops the world globally as the largest cargo "hub", followed by Shanghai/Pudong and then maybe Memphis. 

Yes it was handed over in 1997, and then a few years ago, any HKer who demonstrated against the mainland Chinese authoritarians - calling for a respect for democracy and human rights was either arrested or fled the territory. So "geopolitical??" Yes, absolutely - same goes for Shanghai. If you say they are the two biggest cargo hubs outside the Western sphere, then the Chinese authorities could shut them both down at a whim. Too many eggs in one basket. As for BKK, I'm not defending it or its passenger terminal expansion plans. I agree they need to do something about the IO system (not the officers' fault - they process each person as fast as they can - but anyone arriving late at night gets stuck for at least an hour in that. Ironically, most of the passengers in the queue are still Chinese, despite the lower overall numbers!

6 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

When was the last time you flew? It's hasn't been a "zoo" for ages, and even then it was only sporadically.

Check in and security are fast. Outgoing immigration is no more than 2-3 minutes, usually walk straight up to an e-gate. Coming in never more than 5-10 minutes at immigration usually. Much much improved.

Agree, much improved outbound. Inbound, depending on arrival time, usually late night, it can be a real drag. Long lines then.

6 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

I only read about passengers, though....

As said, single mnded.

5 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

Despite my own skepticism about this (also mostly about passengers), I would agree that - in the long run - Bangkok makes more sense as a cargo hub than expensive Singapore which is, pragmatically, a bit out of the way in any case, or HK for various geopolitical reasons.

Asute observation.

Objective shouldn't be overshadowed by outcome scenarios, nothing gets completed without it being started.

17 minutes ago, sandyf said:

Asute observation.

Objective shouldn't be overshadowed by outcome scenarios, nothing gets completed without it being started.

True, but Mirabel Airport in Montreal was questioned before it was built. And the skeptics were confirmed correct shortly after it was finished and opened as Canada's biggest international airport at that time. It sat as a huge international airport white elephant embarrassment until it was closed a few years later and eventually torn down. Runways are still used apparently for private flights. They ended up expanding the old airport instead.

7 hours ago, Sigmund said:

Start with cracking down on all the cheats in their airport shops that are selling at ripoff prices...

ALL airport shops are "rip off" - it’s just taken Thailand longer to catch on to that.

On 8/21/2025 at 5:38 PM, ikke1959 said:

Good investment with declining tourists....

 

Maybe you missed the following?

 

On 8/21/2025 at 4:39 PM, snoop1130 said:

The decision to scale down earlier expectations from 150 million passengers reflects a move toward more realistic, sustainable growth.

 

And,

 

On 8/21/2025 at 4:39 PM, snoop1130 said:

This adjustment acknowledges a slower recovery in Chinese tourism, which has affected projected growth rates.

 

8 hours ago, Sqoop said:

They already have capacity issues when checking passports. 

 

Eight trips in and out through BKK so far this year. No notable immigration delays inbound and absolutely none outbound.

 

Meanwhile, over in SGN, factor in at least one hour before you get to the baggage claim.

7 hours ago, CHdiver said:

The new Satellite Terminal 1 is still not very busy. Must still have a lot of capacity left. 

 

All but six of my flights this past year have been through the S1 gates and it's only slightly busier than when it opened, but it's still a much better experience. Back then there was only the two Miracle lounges but the Emirates lounge is now open and the space being prepared for Qatar's lounge is enormous.

7 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

Pity they didn’t start 15 years ago. Often times the place is a zoo currently. 

 

Define "zoo" in your most recent BKK passenger experiences.

2 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

Agree, much improved outbound. Inbound, depending on arrival time, usually late night, it can be a real drag. Long lines then.

 

Good to know that late evening, early morning movements are still challenging. Luckily, my last overnighter to Busan was over two years ago and since then my late morning and early afternoon departures/arrivals have been "smooth as silk", allowing me well over an hour of lounge time on the outbound leg.

11 hours ago, norsurin said:

Better lower it because who wants to come to the land of scammers and so on.

and if the  current communist bound "government" succeeds in digitalizing and redristributing everyones wealth ( another commi tactic..   )

better off just going to russia or china

51 minutes ago, Luuk Chaai said:

and if the  current communist bound "government" succeeds in digitalizing and redristributing everyones wealth ( another commi tactic..   )

better off just going to russia or china

What the heck are you on about?

Anyway, please send a post card from Russia or China, seeya.

5 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

When was the last time you flew? It's hasn't been a "zoo" for ages, and even then it was only sporadically.

Check in and security are fast. Outgoing immigration is no more than 2-3 minutes, usually walk straight up to an e-gate. Coming in never more than 5-10 minutes at immigration usually. Much much improved.

Last week domestically to Udon and back. Beginning and end of July to Europe and back.

Domestic was busy, restaurants full, despite being extortionately expensive, loo cubicles full.

International was very busy on the way out, acceptable on the way back. But loo cubicles were still full and queueing was required.

 

Check in’s were ok for me because I travel business, economy had long queues.

 

To be fair, it was all better than UK airports I have been in, but a mile away from Changi’s lap of luxury.

 

Call it how I experience it.

3 hours ago, NanLaew said:

 

Define "zoo" in your most recent BKK passenger experiences.

Overly busy, bordering on chaotic.

8 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

Last week domestically to Udon and back. Beginning and end of July to Europe and back.

Domestic was busy, restaurants full, despite being extortionately expensive, loo cubicles full.

International was very busy on the way out, acceptable on the way back. But loo cubicles were still full and queueing was required.

 

Check in’s were ok for me because I travel business, economy had long queues.

 

To be fair, it was all better than UK airports I have been in, but a mile away from Changi’s lap of luxury.

 

Call it how I experience it.

Domestic is another thing. But last week was a four day weekend so if you were travelling over that period it would naturally be expected to be packed in domestic, you can't judge it on that.

But yeah, domestic is always pretty busy.

15 hours ago, Luuk Chaai said:

and if the  current communist bound "government" succeeds in digitalizing and redristributing everyones wealth ( another commi tactic..   )

better off just going to russia or china

Right..i been working in Murmansk before.. people drink vodka in the streets.Nevee ever seen so much drunk people middle of satt.

20 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

Last week domestically to Udon and back. Beginning and end of July to Europe and back.

Domestic was busy, restaurants full, despite being extortionately expensive, loo cubicles full.

International was very busy on the way out, acceptable on the way back. But loo cubicles were still full and queueing was required.

 

Check in’s were ok for me because I travel business, economy had long queues.

 

To be fair, it was all better than UK airports I have been in, but a mile away from Changi’s lap of luxury.

 

Call it how I experience it.

 

Seems to me some members have an inordinate requirement to go to the loo, as bathroom or WC facilities are a frequent complaint. I'm not sure how many times they need to take a piss, but maybe there are some personal medical issues that no amount of queue-free airport (and aeroplane) toilets can satisfy?

On 8/22/2025 at 5:02 PM, ronnie50 said:

True, but Mirabel Airport in Montreal was questioned before it was built. And the skeptics were confirmed correct shortly after it was finished and opened as Canada's biggest international airport at that time. It sat as a huge international airport white elephant embarrassment until it was closed a few years later and eventually torn down. Runways are still used apparently for private flights. They ended up expanding the old airport instead.

Indeed, things can go wrong, all about judgements. In that case strikes me that the old airport should have been closed when new one opened, even if temporary, a bit like DM.

My brother lived at Dorval, my son was quite impressed when we gave the taxi driver at the airport his address and the driver said "A scotsman lives there".

1 hour ago, sandyf said:

My brother lived at Dorval, my son was quite impressed when we gave the taxi driver at the airport his address and the driver said "A scotsman lives there".

Yes, Scottish, Irish and Jewish heritage make up most of the minority anglophones there. The majority are francophones of course (with some french Caribbean immigrants). Agree they shuld have closed or severely scaled back Dorval. If memory serves me right, I think they actually did try that, but lack of public transit to Mirabel, which was half way to Ottawa, made them do a 180 and service crepped back to Dorval.

On 8/21/2025 at 9:26 PM, Jaxxper said:

I hope the expansion also includes additional parking areas. Difficult to park at peak times. 

Parking serves domestic traffic. The  BKK expansion is intended to address international demand.

In respect to domestic traffic, the  intent is that locals should use public transit; taxi, bus, train. Additional train capacity is to be added.

 

On 8/21/2025 at 9:39 PM, Thumbs said:

Doubling the capacity for tourists who are no longer coming? 

They are coming. I suggest you have a look at the bookings for holiday season this year. It will exceed last year's numbers. I was looking at some of the popular hotels/serviced apartments for Hua Hin, Koh Samui, Phuket and many have already sold out their nicer rooms.

 

On 8/21/2025 at 10:36 PM, Sqoop said:

They already have capacity issues when checking passports. 

 

That's the choking point. Thailand has to fully implement the  e-gate processing. I have been working in  Europe  this summer  and have  been flying internationally in and out of the Schengen zone and no matter I have been entrance and departure is done in less than 5-15 minutes depending upon the e-gate line ups. The integrated biometrics makes  things go fast.

 

On 8/21/2025 at 11:11 PM, CHdiver said:

The new Satellite Terminal 1 is still not very busy. Must still have a lot of capacity left. 

 

It is busy depending on the time of day and the season. Also, the layout and design allows for space to move. Unlike the old BKK terminals, the gates in the Satellite have been designed to service high density passenger aircraft. There's no crowding because of that.

21 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

Yes, Scottish, Irish and Jewish heritage make up most of the minority anglophones there. The majority are francophones of course (with some french Caribbean immigrants). Agree they shuld have closed or severely scaled back Dorval. If memory serves me right, I think they actually did try that, but lack of public transit to Mirabel, which was half way to Ottawa, made them do a 180 and service crepped back to Dorval.

My brother was in the Royal Navy and married a French Canadian from Dorval.  They had an understanding that she would live in the UK for as long as he served and they would move back to Dorval when he retired.