From the Bangkok Post today. Some new things in here I haven't read before. Lomu note concerning taxis. Seems people won't shuttle the 3km to the taxi yard, taxi's will be radioed for and arrive at curb side in batches as needed. Same for limos and busses I guess. Similar to HK and many other places. Pete
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TRAVELLER'S TALES
Midnight initiation for Suvarnabhumi
DON ROSS
In just 28 days, the doors will slam shut at Don Muang Airport ending its career as Asia's oldest operating commercial airport. Travellers will switch to what airport developers call a green field airport, built from scratch and by their nature subject to a host of ills that haunt projects that rise from swamps or reclaimed land.
Some Bangkok residents told me they were re-arranging their travel diaries to ensure they would not have to travel overseas September 28 or for at least a week afterwards to avoid the inevitable teething problems.
Here are a few tips that might help to reduce the pain when Suvarnabhumi Airport assumes the role of the nation's premier gateway.
It helps to know that common sense prevailed and the Airports of Thailand confirmed it will close Don Muang Airport 0100 September 28 to all commercial airline traffic. Don Muang will serve as an aircraft maintenance centre and handle VIP flights and charters. All the domestic airlines transfer after the last flights on September 27.
I measured the distance from the expressway entrance at Ploenchit to Suvarnabhumi Airport terminal at 31 km, about five kilometres more than the distance to Don Muang.
However, the taxi fares are likely to double to Suvarnabhumi from around 150 baht to 300 baht for a single trip. Limousine companies that pick up travellers from hotels and residences will probably double the one-way fare from around 600 to 1200 baht.
Despite the Airports of Thailand's claims that there are five routes to the new airport, the quickest for travellers in the hotel districts around Ploenchit and Sukhumvit is via the Rama IX expressway that drops down on Motorway 7, heading east.
Taxis are authorised to drop off passengers at the fourth floor entrance to the departures hall. AoT states in its operations manual that neither taxis nor private cars can park at kerbside. They must drop off passengers and leave immediately.
Private car owners follow the road signs to the passenger terminal on Motorway 7 and take the flyover to an eight-lane divided highway that leads directly to the 4th floor of the terminal building. There they drop off family and suitcases before taking a sharp right to the 5,000-car capacity short term parking building just in front of the airport's hotel.
If you are travelling with THAI, or on domestic flights, head for rows A through to C. The departure hall is 500 metres long so you do not want to stop your car too far from the entrance to your airline's row unless you like to trek. THAI and Star Alliance airlines are close to the first entrances as you approach the terminal. Oneworld airlines follow, somewhere in the middle of the terminal, with all the non-alliance airlines at rows beyond.
The escalators leading to the domestic departure concourses face rows A and B, close to where THAI has its check-in lounges for business and first class passengers. International passengers pass through immigration checkpoints near rows G and H.
AoT postponed its decision to raise the Passenger Service Charge from 500 baht to 700 baht until next February, after airlines and travel associations voiced objections at a meeting mid-August. By February, it is quite likely that the passenger fee will be included in the price of the air ticket to streamline the process.
Until then passengers will continue with the current system, buying a 500-baht coupon from the kiosk or self-service vending machines.
Due to additional security measures introduced by THAI, earlier this month, for all flights to the US, UK, Australia, Bali, Philippines and Sri Lanka, passengers will need to check-in three hours before flight departures. This will continue at Suvarnabhumi. However, the distance from the departure terminal to the airside gates through the concourses is considerably longer than passengers encounter at Don Muang.
Travel agents are recommending that their clients allow 30 minutes to walk from the check-in row to the gates on concourse A, B, and 40 minutes through concourses C to G. There are seven concourses leading off the passenger terminal building. Some airlines are reverting to some old fashioned measures to reduce strays such as providing passengers with bright lapel stickers, possibly with the concourse letter.
Miscalculating the time it takes to walk through the long concourses to international gates or a diversion for retail therapy at the duty-free shops will probably account for most of the passenger related hiccups.
On the bright side, both domestic and international flights are located in the same terminal, which ends the need for the long hike between terminal buildings at Don Muang.
Arriving passengers exit at level two of the passenger terminal where they can queue for a taxi. Unlike Don Muang, taxis are not allowed to park kerbside at the exit. They park three kilometres always at the remote parking area, next to the bus station.
Similar to most international airports, a taxi supervisor radios a batch of taxis from the remote taxi rank managing the queue from a pool of around 400 authorised taxis.
Limousine counters are located on both the fourth and second floors, but also park at the same location as the public taxis.
Tour groups will exit through immigration and customs on level two, but unlike individual travellers, they will go down one floor to where tour buses will park. Tour companies, car rental and banks will have counters in the foyer of level two.
There is another option for passengers who want to avoid the level two taxi queue or want to travel by bus to the city. They can board a complimentary shuttle bus that takes 10 minutes to transfer from the terminal to the bus station. The taxi ranks and car rental pick-up and drop off areas are next door. Long-term parking lots for up to 10,000 cars are also located across the street from the bus station.
Private car drivers can pick up passengers at level two, but they will not be able to park at kerbside.
A passage from level two will lead to airport express train station located in the basement of the airport hotel. The train will begin services in late 2008 stopping at a terminal adjacent to the Phya Thai BTS station on Phaholyothin Road.
Until then, travellers will have to cope with expensive taxi and limousine fares or suffer the drawn out task of journeying home via one of six air-conditioned bus routes to Minburi, Happy Land, Victory Monument, Onnuj BTS station, Samut Prakan and Rangsit.
SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT
I suppose if you can get from the airport to the southern bus terminal for 500 baht, or so, it's not too bad, particularly in comparison to say Heathrow to central London. Dunno how long it's going to take though. It'll also be interesting to see how efficient this radioing for taxis to come to the airport will be. Hopefully, a wait won't be too long. I suppose there will be no chance of just walking to arrivals and getting a taxi there that's just dropped off. That was always favorite at Don Muang if the queue was long.
Looking at other aspects of the above, a 30-40 walk to the gate dosn't sound inspiring.
Perhaps we'll be better off arriving, rather than departing, in a month or so's time?
Looking at other aspects of the above, a 30-40 walk to the gate dosn't sound inspiring.
Perhaps we'll be better off arriving, rather than departing, in a month or so's time?
Lomuamart wrote;
Perhaps we'll be better off arriving, rather than departing, in a month or so's time?
Hi Lomu, I’m trying to fly into Bangkok on the first of October, so we will be able to compare the experience to see who has the easiest journey. At least I’m not coming from the U.K., so I will be able to bring my toothpaste!
I always use the bus so it will be interesting to see how long it takes to get a taxi to the Southern Bus Terminal.
Perhaps we'll be better off arriving, rather than departing, in a month or so's time?
Hi Lomu, I’m trying to fly into Bangkok on the first of October, so we will be able to compare the experience to see who has the easiest journey. At least I’m not coming from the U.K., so I will be able to bring my toothpaste!
I always use the bus so it will be interesting to see how long it takes to get a taxi to the Southern Bus Terminal.
AEROTHAI ready for commercial services at Suvarnabhumi Airport
All systems of Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (AEROTHAI) are now fully in place to support commercial operations of Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi Airport.
AEROTHAI demonstrated its full capacity and potential Friday morning when two international flights of Thai Airways International (THAI), the national flag carrier, simultanenously took off from Suvarnabhumi Airport's two runways in a test run prior to the new airport's officially opening for commercial services on September 28.
The THAI TG8814 and TG8816 flights, bound for Hong Kong and Singapore, successfully took off from Suvarnabhmi Airport's eastern and western runways.
The 3,700-metre eastern runway and 4,000-metre western runways are 2.2 kilometres far apart.
Thirty five AEROTHAI's air traffic controll officials, the agency's full personnel capacity for its standard operational services, are on duty to serve the simultanenous test run of the national airline.
"It's an unprecedented record, historically, as AEROTHAI had never served any simultanenous flight take-off," Bhuddawan Noirod, who heads the AEROTHAI's public relations department, told TNA.
"It shows the readiness with full potential and capacity of the AEROTHAI's overall systems at Suvarnabhumi Airport," she added.
Two more THAI flights, TG8815 and TG8817, flying from Hong Kong and Singapore are scheduled to land on the new airport's western and eastern runways simultanenously Friday afternoon.
TNA 2006-09-01
All systems of Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (AEROTHAI) are now fully in place to support commercial operations of Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi Airport.
AEROTHAI demonstrated its full capacity and potential Friday morning when two international flights of Thai Airways International (THAI), the national flag carrier, simultanenously took off from Suvarnabhumi Airport's two runways in a test run prior to the new airport's officially opening for commercial services on September 28.
The THAI TG8814 and TG8816 flights, bound for Hong Kong and Singapore, successfully took off from Suvarnabhmi Airport's eastern and western runways.
The 3,700-metre eastern runway and 4,000-metre western runways are 2.2 kilometres far apart.
Thirty five AEROTHAI's air traffic controll officials, the agency's full personnel capacity for its standard operational services, are on duty to serve the simultanenous test run of the national airline.
"It's an unprecedented record, historically, as AEROTHAI had never served any simultanenous flight take-off," Bhuddawan Noirod, who heads the AEROTHAI's public relations department, told TNA.
"It shows the readiness with full potential and capacity of the AEROTHAI's overall systems at Suvarnabhumi Airport," she added.
Two more THAI flights, TG8815 and TG8817, flying from Hong Kong and Singapore are scheduled to land on the new airport's western and eastern runways simultanenously Friday afternoon.
TNA 2006-09-01
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
Day-One Trial Flights a Success
Four international flights conducted Friday at Suvarnabhumi Airport as trial runs for the new facility were completed successfully, according to officials.
Earlier in the day, two flights departed safely from Suvarnabhumi to Singapore and Hong Kong and landed at their respective destinations later in the day. A second set of planes were used on a return trip from the same locations, arriving in the capital in the afternoon.
The tests were being conducted prior to the commencement of the new airport's international services on Sept 28.
Officials used the opportunity on Thursday to test the simultaneous use of both runways during incoming and departing flights. After landing in Bangkok, passengers went through normal international arrival procedures.
Mr Chotisak Asapaviriya, President of Airports of Thailand Public Co., Ltd. (AOT), said the take-off and landing procedures were so smooth that the pilots could not have done a better job.
Next week officials will test the land transportation system between Bangkok's downtown areas and the new airport. The AOT will accelerate public relations campaigns to disseminate information about the airport commute.
As for complaints that travelling to Suvarnabhumi may be difficult because the subway is yet in service, Chotisak said it should not cause too much of a problem with other mass transportation options available.
He cited South Korea’s Incheon International Airport, which is 65 km from Seoul’s city centre and does not have an electric train service.
TNA 2006-09-02
Four international flights conducted Friday at Suvarnabhumi Airport as trial runs for the new facility were completed successfully, according to officials.
Earlier in the day, two flights departed safely from Suvarnabhumi to Singapore and Hong Kong and landed at their respective destinations later in the day. A second set of planes were used on a return trip from the same locations, arriving in the capital in the afternoon.
The tests were being conducted prior to the commencement of the new airport's international services on Sept 28.
Officials used the opportunity on Thursday to test the simultaneous use of both runways during incoming and departing flights. After landing in Bangkok, passengers went through normal international arrival procedures.
Mr Chotisak Asapaviriya, President of Airports of Thailand Public Co., Ltd. (AOT), said the take-off and landing procedures were so smooth that the pilots could not have done a better job.
Next week officials will test the land transportation system between Bangkok's downtown areas and the new airport. The AOT will accelerate public relations campaigns to disseminate information about the airport commute.
As for complaints that travelling to Suvarnabhumi may be difficult because the subway is yet in service, Chotisak said it should not cause too much of a problem with other mass transportation options available.
He cited South Korea’s Incheon International Airport, which is 65 km from Seoul’s city centre and does not have an electric train service.
TNA 2006-09-02
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
Hi Pookie, I drove past the new airport a couple of months ago, and it’s just off highway 7 (Bangkok-Chonburi). In distance it’s about the same as the old airport, but the problem is that the southern part of the ring-road is not yet finished where it has to cross the river.
This will mean that to get to Hua Hin, you will have to head into the city first, and that will be a bit of an unknown quantity with all the traffic generated by the new airport.
I think, however, that it will be quicker once the new road is open.
This will mean that to get to Hua Hin, you will have to head into the city first, and that will be a bit of an unknown quantity with all the traffic generated by the new airport.
I think, however, that it will be quicker once the new road is open.
Airport rates kept unchanged until 2007
As an incentive to promote the use of Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the Airports of Thailand Pcl. (AOT) will not introduce new, higher rates on aircraft and passenger service charges until next year.
AOT had initially planned to introduce new rates upon Suvarnabhumi’s official opening on 28 September.
Airport tax for international and domestic flights will remain for the time being at 500 and 50 baht a person respectively. They will be increased to 700 and 100 baht in February 2007.
The deadline for a 15 per cent increase in commercial airlines’ landing and parking fees has also been pushed back from later this month to April 2007.
AOT President Chotisak Asapaviriya is confident that the decision will not significantly hurt the company’s earnings. In compensation, a greater number of passengers and flight traffic are expected to pass through the new airport, which should help bolster revenues.
In the third quarter of 2006, AOT reported operating revenues of 3.95 billion baht and a net profit of over two billion baht, representing a 171 per cent increase from the same period in 2005. The sharp rise was due to a significant increase in passenger numbers and flight traffic.
Nevertheless, operational expenses rose by nearly 260 million baht in the three month period ending June 30, due to the hiring of additional employees and marketing expenses incurred in preparation for Suvarnabhumi’s opening.
The operational expenses were offset by exchange rate earnings as the baht tested six-year high against the dollar, and by a reduced corporate tax burden.
On the Stock Exchange of Thailand, AOT shares closed Friday traded at 57 baht per share, up one baht for the day as investors remain confident that Suvarnabhumi will open on time. Four international test flights ended successfully Friday, improving investor sentiment.
TNA 2006-09-03
As an incentive to promote the use of Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the Airports of Thailand Pcl. (AOT) will not introduce new, higher rates on aircraft and passenger service charges until next year.
AOT had initially planned to introduce new rates upon Suvarnabhumi’s official opening on 28 September.
Airport tax for international and domestic flights will remain for the time being at 500 and 50 baht a person respectively. They will be increased to 700 and 100 baht in February 2007.
The deadline for a 15 per cent increase in commercial airlines’ landing and parking fees has also been pushed back from later this month to April 2007.
AOT President Chotisak Asapaviriya is confident that the decision will not significantly hurt the company’s earnings. In compensation, a greater number of passengers and flight traffic are expected to pass through the new airport, which should help bolster revenues.
In the third quarter of 2006, AOT reported operating revenues of 3.95 billion baht and a net profit of over two billion baht, representing a 171 per cent increase from the same period in 2005. The sharp rise was due to a significant increase in passenger numbers and flight traffic.
Nevertheless, operational expenses rose by nearly 260 million baht in the three month period ending June 30, due to the hiring of additional employees and marketing expenses incurred in preparation for Suvarnabhumi’s opening.
The operational expenses were offset by exchange rate earnings as the baht tested six-year high against the dollar, and by a reduced corporate tax burden.
On the Stock Exchange of Thailand, AOT shares closed Friday traded at 57 baht per share, up one baht for the day as investors remain confident that Suvarnabhumi will open on time. Four international test flights ended successfully Friday, improving investor sentiment.
TNA 2006-09-03
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
Immigration Bureau prepared for opening of new airport
The Immigration Bureau is ready for Suvarnabhumi International Airport’s commercial opening on September 28.
Immigration Bureau Chief Pol.Lt. Gen. Suwat Thamrongsrisakul said officers have been trained and assigned to 124 checkpoints in the arrival section of the passenger terminal and 72 in the departure section.
All immigration officers have undergone English language training sessions.
Data has shown that it should take the average passenger 20 seconds to pass immigration, although in some cases it may take a bit longer if there are questions.
Gen. Suwat said airlines have been requested to submit passenger data ahead of an aircraft’s arrival in order to quicken immigration procedures, in particular for large tour groups. This kind of arrangement is currently in use in many other countries.
TNA 2006-09-03
The Immigration Bureau is ready for Suvarnabhumi International Airport’s commercial opening on September 28.
Immigration Bureau Chief Pol.Lt. Gen. Suwat Thamrongsrisakul said officers have been trained and assigned to 124 checkpoints in the arrival section of the passenger terminal and 72 in the departure section.
All immigration officers have undergone English language training sessions.
Data has shown that it should take the average passenger 20 seconds to pass immigration, although in some cases it may take a bit longer if there are questions.
Gen. Suwat said airlines have been requested to submit passenger data ahead of an aircraft’s arrival in order to quicken immigration procedures, in particular for large tour groups. This kind of arrangement is currently in use in many other countries.
TNA 2006-09-03
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
Data ahead of time or not, a public announcement worldwide like this one tells the bad guys that the new Bangkok Airport is probably an easy slide in, at least for the first year.Bas wrote:
Data has shown that it should take the average passenger 20 seconds to pass immigration, although in some cases it may take a bit longer if there are questions.
The stuffed shirts are more concerned about appearances than real security. Once they're in, they don't leave unless found and expelled. Hats off guys, the almighty $$$ once again speaks louder than anything else you care about. Reap what you sow butt heads! Pete
Check-in system at Suvarnabhumi Airport to be tested Sept 7
Over 100 airlines will participate in a test run of Suvarnabhumi Airport’s check-in system on Thursday to work out any kinks before the commencement of international operation on Sept 28.
Somchai Sawasdeepon, Suvarnabhumi Airport general manager, said the test’s primary aim is to ensure that all 460 check-in counters are working and the luggage conveyor system is fully operational.
Thursday’s system check will be the first time that both the domestic and international check-in counters will be used simultaneously. The four test flights conducted last week used the different counters at different times.
Somchai said the results from the Sept 1 flights were satisfactory. The only problem seemed to be in the public transportation system, whereas immigration, customs and check-in counters worked smoothly.
The transportation problems were in two areas. First, the shuttle buses that were provided to ferry passengers from different sections of the airport were inconvenient for people with heavy luggage. The buses’ door step was too high above the curb.
Secondly, people had difficulty catching taxis from the public transportation center, located 2.5 km away from the main terminal. There were not enough taxis to meet demand.
Somchai said the problems will be solved by Sept 28 with enough taxis available around the clock.
Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) is also making improvements to road signs leading to Suvarnabhumi Airport. Signs are being made bigger and easier to understand.
AoT officials will complete the adjustment before domestic flights start operating out of Suvarnabhumi Airport on Sept 15, according to Somchai.
TNA 2006-09-05
Over 100 airlines will participate in a test run of Suvarnabhumi Airport’s check-in system on Thursday to work out any kinks before the commencement of international operation on Sept 28.
Somchai Sawasdeepon, Suvarnabhumi Airport general manager, said the test’s primary aim is to ensure that all 460 check-in counters are working and the luggage conveyor system is fully operational.
Thursday’s system check will be the first time that both the domestic and international check-in counters will be used simultaneously. The four test flights conducted last week used the different counters at different times.
Somchai said the results from the Sept 1 flights were satisfactory. The only problem seemed to be in the public transportation system, whereas immigration, customs and check-in counters worked smoothly.
The transportation problems were in two areas. First, the shuttle buses that were provided to ferry passengers from different sections of the airport were inconvenient for people with heavy luggage. The buses’ door step was too high above the curb.
Secondly, people had difficulty catching taxis from the public transportation center, located 2.5 km away from the main terminal. There were not enough taxis to meet demand.
Somchai said the problems will be solved by Sept 28 with enough taxis available around the clock.
Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) is also making improvements to road signs leading to Suvarnabhumi Airport. Signs are being made bigger and easier to understand.
AoT officials will complete the adjustment before domestic flights start operating out of Suvarnabhumi Airport on Sept 15, according to Somchai.
TNA 2006-09-05
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
Bas wrote:
I just can't imagine how many spurs they will have taking bagage to various distribution spurs. I wish them luck, but I bet the results are not reported truthfully.
That must be one hell of a test! A few years ago I had to write a test programme for a conveyor system that had jsut 12 spurs. We had to run the test many times over a period of 4 months before the contractor (very well established in their business) got it right. Even after we passed the system, the contractor was still sorting snags for a further 6 months.Check-in system at Suvarnabhumi Airport to be tested Sept 7
I just can't imagine how many spurs they will have taking bagage to various distribution spurs. I wish them luck, but I bet the results are not reported truthfully.
Championship Plymouth Argyle 1 - 2 Leeds Utd 
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
Points 46; Position 23 RELEGATED
That'll be interesting. Coming back on opening day.Winkie wrote:Planned to avoid trvelling for 3 monthsto let the new Airport 'Settle In' a little.
Unfortuantely plans change and I'll fly out of BKK on 25 September and fly back again on 28th into the New Airport. I'll try to post an update about the experience.
Winkie
Keep us updated, as I'll be returning on Oct 6th and I know of one other poster here who's mentioned he's flying in on the 1st, I think
Forewarned is forarmed
Flights cancelled to avoid opening chaos
Airlines are beginning to cancel flights on September 28 in order to avoid the chaos expected on the day that Suvarnabhumi Airport is officially opened.
Local budget carrier Nok Air has announced it will cancel 30 flights on September 28, and Singapore Airlines and Air France have both informed the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) that they will cancel one flight each.
DCA director general Chaisak Angkasuwan said the two international cancellations involve a passenger service of Singapore airlines and a cargo flight of Air France.
The Nation 2006-09-06
Airlines are beginning to cancel flights on September 28 in order to avoid the chaos expected on the day that Suvarnabhumi Airport is officially opened.
Local budget carrier Nok Air has announced it will cancel 30 flights on September 28, and Singapore Airlines and Air France have both informed the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) that they will cancel one flight each.
DCA director general Chaisak Angkasuwan said the two international cancellations involve a passenger service of Singapore airlines and a cargo flight of Air France.
The Nation 2006-09-06
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.