Suvarnabhumi First Impressions And Report

[libya 115]

Arrived by private taxi from Pattaya at the new airport, hit some heavy traffic about 10 km out, total travel time was 2 hours exact. Upon arrival at departures the situation appeared worse than D.M. with several cars deep of departing passengers.

There are plenty of luggage trolleys available and I entered the main building. First impressions are mixed. It seems very new and large but with poor signposting. Eventually found Emirates check in desks at 'T'. The business class check-in had one computer terminal down, so much waiting during check in.

I noticed men specifically employed to manage the bags on the conveyor; it seems the conveyor does not 'work' properly.

There are several exchange desks in this area, before check-in. Siam Commercial and Thai Military Banks. Both offer same rates of exchange. However only Siam Commercial could offer new £50 notes British currency, TMB had only used 10 and 20's important if you are changing large amounts of cash.

The temperature in this enormous area was fairly constant, except for when I went up in a glass lift to a restaurant level. The lift was 100 degrees. A restaurant on this 5th floor looked clean and quiet and expensive. There is another Siam Commercial Bank with an ATM on this level.

There are ATM's next to the exchange counters, on the main check in level, but hidden from view. The toilets are small and hidden from view. O.K. for a quick wazz, but you will queue for a long time to pass solids.

After check-in, pay 500 baht tax, (when does it increase to 700?) and forward into impressive shopping mall. Lots of choices, luxury items, Burberry, Dunhill, Omega watches all top price, hardly a saving. One small book shop imaginatively titled 'Folio Books' if Dan Brown is your cup of char?

There is a lot of work noise from unfinished units; at the far end is an eating section with bars, the temperature is higher here, you will sweat whilst eating your burger in Burger King. There are only two rows of 25 metal chairs in this whole massive area, unless you sit at a bar or eaterie. Toilets and fire escapes are hidden. However suited male and female airport staff are everywhere to help you find your way.

Temporary? Signs point to gate numbers; some confuse. Then onward to an X-ray and search and through to the gate proper. All very dim, but as you descend to the gate, the temperature drops markedly. When you sit at your gate, with your back to a steel framed chair, you will feel chilled.

Boarding is strange. The boarding tunnels sway.

Overall, I give it the thumbs up, it is clearly not yet finished and I expect in 2007 it will be much improved. Who buys duty free? Bulgarians or Nigerians?

[fxm88]

There are only two rows of 25 metal chairs in this whole massive area, unless you sit at a bar or eaterie.

Is one allowed to sit on the floor? Or is it like Hualamphong where the police periodically come around and make people stand up?

[mickjn]

Arrived by private taxi from Pattaya at the new airport, hit some heavy traffic about 10 km out, total travel time was 2 hours exact. Upon arrival at departures the situation appeared worse than D.M. with several cars deep of departing passengers.

There are plenty of luggage trolleys available and I entered the main building. First impressions are mixed. It seems very new and large but with poor signposting. Eventually found Emirates check in desks at 'T'. The business class check-in had one computer terminal down, so much waiting during check in.

I noticed men specifically employed to manage the bags on the conveyor; it seems the conveyor does not 'work' properly.

There are several exchange desks in this area, before check-in. Siam Commercial and Thai Military Banks. Both offer same rates of exchange. However only Siam Commercial could offer new £50 notes British currency, TMB had only used 10 and 20's important if you are changing large amounts of cash.

The temperature in this enormous area was fairly constant, except for when I went up in a glass lift to a restaurant level. The lift was 100 degrees. A restaurant on this 5th floor looked clean and quiet and expensive. There is another Siam Commercial Bank with an ATM on this level.

There are ATM's next to the exchange counters, on the main check in level, but hidden from view. The toilets are small and hidden from view. O.K. for a quick wazz, but you will queue for a long time to pass solids.

After check-in, pay 500 baht tax, (when does it increase to 700?) and forward into impressive shopping mall. Lots of choices, luxury items, Burberry, Dunhill, Omega watches all top price, hardly a saving. One small book shop imaginatively titled 'Folio Books' if Dan Brown is your cup of char?

There is a lot of work noise from unfinished units; at the far end is an eating section with bars, the temperature is higher here, you will sweat whilst eating your burger in Burger King. There are only two rows of 25 metal chairs in this whole massive area, unless you sit at a bar or eaterie. Toilets and fire escapes are hidden. However suited male and female airport staff are everywhere to help you find your way.

Temporary? Signs point to gate numbers; some confuse. Then onward to an X-ray and search and through to the gate proper. All very dim, but as you descend to the gate, the temperature drops markedly. When you sit at your gate, with your back to a steel framed chair, you will feel chilled.

Boarding is strange. The boarding tunnels sway.

Overall, I give it the thumbs up, it is clearly not yet finished and I expect in 2007 it will be much improved. Who buys duty free? Bulgarians or Nigerians?

As you point out very hard to get a seat but I got on and was not going to leave it.Companion went shopping in got 2 one litres of Bacardi for $30au in toto not each.Would have cost me at least $80 here.Not many duty free baragains there but I happened to snare one,

Best Wishes,

Mick

[LaoPo]

Who buys duty free? Bulgarians or Nigerians?

I didn't know they have money

LaoPo

[Soju]

The temperature in this enormous area was fairly constant, except for when I went up in a glass lift to a restaurant level. The lift was 100 degrees.

I noticed that too. Not only inside the elevator, but also on the platform next to the elevator. It's an extreme hot-spot in the airport where they failed to provide adequate air-conditioning, but no need to hang around there anyways as it's only for a moment on your way to the 5th floor.

After check-in, pay 500 baht tax, (when does it increase to 700?)

February 1, 2007 I believe, and it will supposedly be included in the cost of tickets so you won't have to pay for the ticket at the booth anymore.

There is a lot of work noise from unfinished units; at the far end is an eating section with bars, the temperature is higher here, you will sweat whilst eating your burger in Burger King. There are only two rows of 25 metal chairs in this whole massive area, unless you sit at a bar or eaterie.

Was this the Burger King / eating area to the left (towards concourse C) or to the right as you enter through immigration? I didn't notice any heat problems towards the left, and also there's a fairly large THAI economy lounge at that end if you go down one level, which is accessible to all passengers regardless of which airline you're flying on. Being that this side is what is used by the THAI flights, it seems to be in a much further state of completion compared to the other side of the airport.

Boarding is strange. The boarding tunnels sway.

That's the second time I've seen someone comment on that and I specifically paid attention when I was boarding to see if I could feel any sway and couldn't. Wonder if it's all the tunnels and I'm just not sensitive enough or if it's only some of the tunnels.

Overall, I give it the thumbs up, it is clearly not yet finished and I expect in 2007 it will be much improved.

Same as you, I'd give it an overall thumbs up despite some obvious problems which hopefully will be solved very soon. Thanks for the report.

[Soju]

Who buys duty free? Bulgarians or Nigerians?

I didn't know they have money

LaoPo

Oh, come on LaoPo!!! Where have you been? Nigerians are some of the richest people around! I'm always getting emails from Nigerians who's relative recently died leaving them millions and millions of dollars.