Nope- Its Not Ready Yet !

[nostrel]

AFX News Limited

Thai travel group warns new airport not ready for Sept 28 opening

08.31.2006, 12:47 AM

BANGKOK (XFN-ASIA) - The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) warned that the planned September 28 opening date for the new Bangkok international airport -- Suvarnabhumi -- is too early and risks causing a host of operational problems.

'It seems like if the new airport opens on September 28, too many problems will arise. That would affect airlines' confidence about adding more flights to Thailand later,' ATTA president Apichart Sankary told Agence France-Presse.

He said the nearby Don Muang facility, currently serving an above-capacity 38.5 mln passengers a year, should continue to take the strain until the new airport is ready.

'Don Muang can still handle the arrivals. We should wait until Suvarnabhumi is totally ready, then we could open it,' Apichart said.

Suvarnabhumi has been in the works for four decades, the airport has been hit by a series of onstruction problems and graft allegations.

After repeatedly revising the completion date, officials are adamant that it should open before the start of the main tourist season in October.

But even if Suvarnabhumi, which will start international test flights on Friday, opens next month, Thailand's 12-bln usd tourism industry is not expected to see any benefits this year.

'It is impossible for the new airport to boost tourism in the last three months of the year,' Apichart said.

'If the new airport were 100 pct ready, it would help support the drive for more tourism next year, when arrivals are expected at some 14 mln, up from 13 mln this year.'

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[Rinrada]

[This lot is a bot more confident....... ...no more trecks over to the Amari @ Don M

b]Novotel Suvarnabhumi hotel is open for business[/b]

The official hotel of Bangkok’s new Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel, opens September 1st in preparation for the official opening of the airport on September 28th.

The ultra-modern hotel is located just a three-minute walk from the airport’s main terminal connected by a 200 metre, air-conditioned underground walkway.

A direct rail link currently under construction will connect the hotel to existing transport systems, downtown Bangkok and its central business districts by early 2008.

The Novotel features 612 rooms in two square-shaped five-storey buildings, covering 10.5 hectares, with large open atrium areas in the centre of each structure. The two buildings are also joined by another massive glass atrium designed as the hotel lobby.

With a lobby covering 2,800sqm five-stories in height, the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel boasts the largest hotel lobby in the world.

The unique design allows for greater environmental control and incorporates the outdoor atrium areas for swimming and recreation.

Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel is aiming to establish itself as the airport’s premium dining area with four restaurants and a bar. The Novotel brand’s innovative all day dining outlet, The Square, serves a variety of popular Western and Asian dishes from an open show kitchen a la minute, showcasing world cuisine with monthly food promotions and specials.

Authentic Thai cuisine is offered at Sala Thai Pavilion, while guests can enjoy a choice of either Cantonese cuisine at Gold Village Chinese Restaurant or Sushi and Teppanyaki at Kinsen Japanese Restaurant. The hotel’s Atrium Terrace Lobby Lounge adds a perfect venue to unwind and relax.

leisure facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool surrounded by tropical gardens, fitness centre, extensive spa facilities, beauty salon, shopping arcade, Dolfi Kid’s Corner and babysitting service.

Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel caters to Bangkok’s growing meeting and event markets with more than 2,400sqm of space including a pillar-less ballroom for up to 800 people and 6 additional meeting rooms.

It is also well positioned for delegates attending events at the nearby BITEC Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The hotel joins an extensive network of over 60 Accor airport hotels in 18 countries, including 20 under the Novotel brand. These include hotels at some of the world’s busiest airports in cities such as Paris, London, Frankfurt, Chicago and Sydney.

Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel is Accor’s second major airport hotel opening in Asia this year following the opening of Novotel Citygate near Hong Kong International Airport in April.

The third, Novotel Baiyun Airport Guangzhou, is scheduled to open in November this year.

According to Accor Asia Pacific Managing Director Michael Issenberg, Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport sets a new standard for four-star hotels in Bangkok, and will make a significant contribution to Thailand’s tourism industry which is enjoying unprecedented growth.

“Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel will be a stylish addition to the new Suvarnabhumi International Airport and its opening reflects the growing importance of Bangkok as the primary entry point to the country and Southeast Asia as a whole, with the hotel providing an ideal base for visiting business, leisure or transit travelers, as well as being a major new venue for conferences and events.”

A side benefit of the opening of the new airport will be the close proximity of Pattaya, a famous Thai beach destination that has recently completely upgraded its image, attractions and tourism infrastructure. Pattaya will now be just over an hour’s drive from the airport, and two Accor hotels – the Sofitel-managed Garden Cliff Resort & Spa and Mercure Pattaya – have opened in the past year to cater for the growth in domestic and international visitor numbers.

Opening rates for the hotel begin at Baht2380++ per night, valid till the airport officially opens on 28 September, when the rates will start from Baht3380++ per night.

Packages including spa treatments and added extras will also be available.

Bookings for the new Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel and other Accor hotels in Thailand can be made via www.etc.......##

Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel –