Suvarnabhumi Airport sets sight to become the world's No.1 airport

[webfact]

AIRPORT
Suvarnabhumi Airport eyes No.1 spot
The Nation

Duty-free area at Suvarnabhumi Airport

BANGKOK: -- Suvarnabhumi Airport sets sight to become the world's No.1 airport six years after the second-phase development is completed.

Pongsak Semson, a vice chairman of Airports of Thailand - the operator of the Bangkok’s airport, said on Friday that works must be stepped up to increase the airport’s competitiveness. He foresees fiercer competition when the ASEAN Economic Community takes shape in 2015.

The airport celebrated the 6th anniversary today.

"Six years after the second phase is completed, we’ll be fully ready to complete and there’s a chance that we become the No.1 because of the competitive edge in terms of tourist destinations," he said.

In the region, Suvarnabhumi is inferior to Changi Airport in Singapore in terms of language skills of personnel, congestion and convenience, he said.


-- The Nation 2013-09-27

[KED]

They could start by pricing gate access for airlines so that I don't have to take a bus from the plane to the terminal mid-day when there are over 10 open gates. Nothing creates a worse image than being stuffed on a crowded bus with hand luggage and taking a tour of the airport rampside.

[lee b]

wow 6 years, i must be getting old !

[Songhua]

Those all-important words - 'number one'

[soi41]

"He foresees fiercer competion, when AEC takes shape in 2015"??

So people going to Bkk, Phuket or Chiang Mai are after 2015 going to fly in via Manila or Singapore?

Dear Khun Pongsak, you don't have to be #1, just give us a userfriendly airport without all the semicriminal touts and mafiataxi ! Simple as that, and we will be happy!

[robertthebruce]

As an Airport its Ok, the Train from Central Bangkok is a big Bonus..

But the actual Airport itself is nothing Special....

Much prefer Hong Kong Airport, Cleaner,More Organised,Free unlimited Wi-Fi...

[chrisboyo]

Number one in Thailand maybe, but the region or the World, no way. To many other airports that no how to operate better.

[Chao Lao Beach]

Satire Article

[chainarong]

As the man said , Singapore beats swampy, that's by a mile, then comes H.K., the difference in the airports is big , swampy has a long way to go and at this time of writing has no chance in the near future of coming within a cooee of Singapore.

[worgeordie]

The only place its going to be number ! is in their minds.

There is too much to improve in the airport,the personnel,

have they got enough toilets now,then when you step outside

you have the taxi drivers to deal with!

regards worgeordie

[dogeatdog]

As an international hub in the heart of asia and home to the countries flag carrier its a disgrace in "comparison"

And no I ant thai bashing either.

From day one its been a bad experience for a passenger and still remains the same today.

And no im not talking about initial runway problems im talking about passenger experience in comparison to main terminals in asia that are comparable.

Ie KLC and SIN.

Drop off area non existing.

Taxi drivers no idea of door numbers for airlines as to where they can drop you.

This has been compounded by all this A380 checkin <deleted>.

Zonal area check in is a mess lack of signage. Passengers just walking around aiming for confusion.

Checkin staff generally non intrested and lack luster.

No real facilities if flight cancelled ot delayed checkin. There is nothing to see land side.

Having to then go up stairs for security and then back down??? What the???

Last time I see this shit was in brussels international airport. Now there is a dump.

Then through to air side.......

King power king power or king power

The airport is now catering for their new friends.. the chinese...

Even price of water is stupid. No shopping no food and nothing to do.

And the arrivals experience is even worse.

Sort out the airport you have look after the passenger and then you may have an airport worthy if 1st class.

At the moment mandalay airport has more to offer than suwanabumbibibibi or what ever it is called??? Pronunciation is easy for all but the English spelling? ??? Who advised this? ?

[Chao Lao Beach]

"And the arrivals experience is even worse."

and that is a complete understatement, last week 68mns in line just for passport, and the majority of the cuntoms booths not staffed, <deleted> is that all about?

[Patje]

In the region, Suvarnabhumi is inferior to Changi Airport in Singapore in terms of language skills of personnel, congestion and convenience, he said.

But on the other hand, the ghosts and spirits that live in Suvarnabhumi outnumber every other airport in Asia

[Paratrinque]

Can someone explain why there is a travelator all the way out to A6 Gate on internal flights, but no travelator FROM the gate to baggage collection? Does someone have something against apssengers coming from CNX, among other areas?

[nonthaburial]

Ok let's be a little fair, the airport is there, the terminals are there, the buses are there to enjoy a joy ride around the airport, when mentioned gates are empty, King Power is certainly there en masse.

So what is needed

A huge team who know what they are doing and how an airport should be run, those that are straight and not corrupt, those who care for their passengers ( read customers) . The list goes on and on.

Forget it , nothing will change and the dross will continue. Thais seem to be great dreamers but non performers

[RubbaJohnny]

No1 of course

• Place to be harrassed
• Meet pimps,illegal taxis
• Locate gambling dens
• Be fitted up for shoplifting
• Run a car park scam
• Have insufficient ladies bathrooms
• Drinks more expensive than Munich or USA
• Painting out Logos and lying about the reason
• Have I forgotton something........

[saakura]

I dont know why so many posters complain about the taxi. I use the airport quite regularly, and since the last 3yrs, there are prominent signboards showing the way to 'Meter Taxi'. Follow the signs and go down one level below arrivals. There are several manned counters where the airport staff note down your destination and the taxi details and guide you to a metered taxi. The driver even picks up your bags! Never had any problem or overcharging.

Also there are suffucient toilets at all levels now, you wont find any long queue. All these were problems in the initial years when the airport had opened.

It is of course no match for the efficiency and the range of services and entertainment available at Changi, HK and maybe even KL, but neither is it a dump. The cleanliness is better than some european airports.

[Soutpeel]

They could start by pricing gate access for airlines so that I don't have to take a bus from the plane to the terminal mid-day when there are over 10 open gates. Nothing creates a worse image than being stuffed on a crowded bus with hand luggage and taking a tour of the airport rampside.

I stand to be corrected, but you should be blaming the specific airline for this, I believe this is case of the specific airline not wanting to pay for the jet way/gate, nothing to do with the airport, hence you get to ride the bus...

[Soutpeel]

I dont know why so many posters complain about the taxi.

Because they are whinging cantankereous old ba*tards ?

Swampy is neither the best or the worst airport, taxi's and all in region, but still has a long way to go to catch up with the likes of Changi/HK etc

To me one of the key componets thats missing is sincere customer service

[dogeatdog]

Btw for the recored taxi system is ok.

Not sure I agree with the welcome to thailand and have to pay extra 50 thb surcharge. But hey they are not alone in this. Its a pass on charge so let it be.

its for another conversation I guess

[dru2]

These people are entirely delusional. It's complete nonsense. And remember, we're not just taking about Southeast Asia or East Asia, but the entire world. Fat chance.

Edited September 27, 2013 by dru2

[WitawatWatawit]

Aesthetically, it is an ugly building. I hate the wretched place. Makes me feel like I should be marching around with Ride of the Valkyries playing in the background.

[SinCityGr8One]

Not a snowball's chance ln Hell of that happening. Dubai International Airport is #1 and will remain in that position for a long long time!

Sent from my GT-S5360B using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[rgs2001uk]

No1 of course

• Place to be harrassed
• Meet pimps,illegal taxis
• Locate gambling dens
• Be fitted up for shoplifting
• Run a car park scam
• Have insufficient ladies bathrooms
• Drinks more expensive than Munich or USA
• Painting out Logos and lying about the reason
• Have I forgotton something........

Have I forgotton something........

Yes, what was the name of the Sri Lankan dude?

[Lingba]

They could start by pricing gate access for airlines so that I don't have to take a bus from the plane to the terminal mid-day when there are over 10 open gates. Nothing creates a worse image than being stuffed on a crowded bus with hand luggage and taking a tour of the airport rampside.

Very Good Point

This airport has a very long way to go

[sms747]

Number one airport in Thailand is all it will ever be.

[lee68]

I travel in and out of there all the time,its not the best airport ,but its by far not the worst,the the place is improving all the time,and i have used it since it opened,the toilets are ok now and immigration is slowly getting better,try going through manchester airport early in the morning or late evening! and the food and drink prices are not that bad,try a beer in dubai £7 or abu dhabi,and if you get a taxi into town 3-400 bt from the rank,not to bad really,i spent 2 hrs in the traffic last time going to bang na,only 300bt,cant go 100m in the uk for that lol, but i have to admit it is badly run,but thats just Thailand.

[MikeOboe57]

I dont know why so many posters complain about the taxi. I use the airport quite regularly, and since the last 3yrs, there are prominent signboards showing the way to 'Meter Taxi'. Follow the signs and go down one level below arrivals. There are several manned counters where the airport staff note down your destination and the taxi details and guide you to a metered taxi. The driver even picks up your bags! Never had any problem or overcharging.

Also there are suffucient toilets at all levels now, you wont find any long queue. All these were problems in the initial years when the airport had opened.

It is of course no match for the efficiency and the range of services and entertainment available at Changi, HK and maybe even KL, but neither is it a dump. The cleanliness is better than some european airports.

We always go up to the departure level and grab a taxi that has just dropped some outbound passengers. The drivers are more than eager to take you without trying to pull any stunts as they don't want to drive back empty.

This method is so effective that AoT even contemplated installing barriers to block exit on that level - "to protect passengers from scammers".

[sjjmmi]

For the best Airport not to travel too

[Jay Sata]

The problem with Thai government officials and politicians is they have no first hand knowledge of travel in,out and across their country. They are used to being pampered with first class treatment everywhere so how would they know what it's like as an ordinary traveller.

Free wifi throughout Swampy would be a start. They also need top take a look at airports such as Amsterdam Schipol or Singapore, see how it's done, and compare the second class service they operate.