Bangkok airport embarks on image makeover

[buksida]

Baggage handlers at Thailand's main airport now wear uniforms with pockets sewn shut to prevent pilfering. Police are hauling away illegal taxi touts. And cushions are being added to metal seats at departure gates derided as a "pain in the rear."

An overhaul is under way at Bangkok's $3.8 billion Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is virtually brand new but trying to put a scandal-plagued past behind and become one of the world's top 10 airports — a goal senior officials concede might be a long shot for this year.

The campaign is partly aimed at addressing passenger complaints logged since Suvarnabhumi opened in 2006.

Free Wi-Fi will be in place by the end of the month and 126 Internet terminals have been installed for travelers without laptops, according to Airports of Thailand, the airport's operator. Other upgrades include more restrooms, improved signs and the upholstery of all 19,000 cold metallic seats with turquoise, peach, green and purple cushions that brighten Suvarnabhumi's concrete-and-steel design, panned by some critics as too monotone.

More than cosmetic, the cleanup has become a matter of national pride. It comes amid a rash of bad publicity that prompted the prime minister to tour the airport's trouble spots last month — from its luggage-sorting underbelly up through duty-free shops and out to the arrival hall.

Full Story: AP

[sargeant]

Maybe Mr Abhasit should try getting a mini bus from Hua Hin to collect his family arriving to spend some of their hard earned Oxford dosh sometime.
When he sees the crap i and my family had to go through something might happen to the taxi mafia.

[Nereus]

Very commendable! But installing some fancy cushions, WiFi points etc., is not going to stop the graft and corruption.

I read a very good commentary about the Airport just a couple of days ago. The writer likened the current reaction to cleaning the toilets: All well and good to clean up the crap, but it needs to be done everyday of the year!

I think what we tend to overlook here is the fact that what goes on at the Airport, is how Thai society operates in varying degrees. It`s just that in the case of the Airport, a lot more people (foreigners), are speaking out about it. Thai authorities admit that the same scams have been going on at Don Muang since it opened 40 years ago.

[margaretcarnes]

Swampy airport is one of the most dismal I've seen. Second only to Moscow IMO - although even then it's a close call.
Structurally the interior is I think a disaster, with what seems like miles of cavernous walkways, and as mentioned the unwelcoming concrete and steel everywhere. Smoking rooms are tiny, difficult to find at first, and have inadequate extraction systems. Duty free may as well not exist at all. Direction signs and flight info screens exist - just.
Baggage reclaim signs were a shambles at international arrivals a year ago. The rail link - due to open August 12th - still isn't there.
As for the eateries - payment methods are a mess, not clearly explained, totally confusing. Vending machines are scarce.
I can handle a trek over a dual carriageway and flower bed to get my taxi, but only because I never travel with more baggage than I can manage on my own.
On the plus side a great job has been done with the gardens, and the terminal buildings look impressive and futuristic - from the outside.
But no amount of cushions or internet access can alter the basic structure, and short of pulling it down and trying again we are stuck with it.
Best feature of all is that it gives us access to Thailand, and for that I suppose we should be grateful.

[Spitfire]

Baggage handlers at Thailand's main airport now wear uniforms with pockets sewn shut to prevent pilfering.

Funny! The lengths they have to go to, as if the person just can't cope with their impulses, it's a little embarassing that one.

[Wanderlust]

I must admit I haven't found it too bad (I have used it twice in the last 9 months, and certainly not as bad as Moscow, or indeed Heathrow). The critical comments I would make are that only two banks are allowed to operate there with either exchange booths or ATMs, and drop offs should be allowed much closer to the terminal building (the same applies in spades to Heathrow, although I know the reasons for it) - trying to take two under twos, plus baggage, push chairs and car seats (because UK law insists on them) such a distance with only two adults is not easy, and whereas at Don Muang they always seemed to have 'porters' who would both fetch trolleys and assist you (for a small fee/tip) there have been none in evidence at Swampy (or Heathrow but that has always been the case). I don't bother with Duty Free any more so that doesn't bother me but even then it seemed to be the same as most airports to me in that regard.

In terms of dodgy practices going on, I'm sure they do but I've never encountered any; most of the bad press about the airport I have seen was about the fact that it was closed down last high season - I think avoiding a repeat of that would do more than cushions and wifi.

[kendo]

Is it true they have now introduced a dress code...........no red or yellow shirts on a more serious note Changi or KL far better in my opinion.

Kendo.

[STEVE G]

I use the place quite a lot and I've never had a problem with any dodgy practices that might go on there, but having said that I worked at a SE Asian airport for six years so perhaps they don't stand out anymore!
One thing that would be welcome would be some refreshment opportunities out on the gates as there is nothing after security. Don Muang used to have some small stands out at the gates where you could grab a coffee or can of beer, (they could miss out the coffee if there is a lack of space!).

[Condoking]

Personally, whilst understanding all the complaints let's put them in perspective. There is no airport on earth that does not have problems and Swampy, imho, performs well in comparison with so many other airports I have visited and I fly virtually every week.

Most airports have pilferage problems, most have issues with Duty free, Cafes, immigration, transport etc. Come out of LHR T5 and follow the signs for the rental car buses, they take you to the opposite end of the bus stops so you have to walk all the way back. Try Abu Dhabi for facilities, Dubai if you like a long walk, Doha for air conditioning below 15C, Jo'berg for theft etc. etc.

All in all I would put swampy well into the top half of International airports.

[caller]

Mags - I really like the airport - inside and out. I think the design is great and everything worked as smooth as clockwork when I landed, even getting a cab and there was no fare rip-off either!

Can't comment on smoking rooms as I don't but I would personally ban them until they can be designed to retain the smell.

[Winkie]

A bit harsh Mags!

Swampy certainly has a few problems, just like all Airports do. I first used Swampy the day it opened and ahve flown at least 1 time per month since.

Agree the concrete appearance isn't the most welcoming, but its improving all the time with plants, huge paintings, statues etc....

I think most airports do not have many Flight Info signs once you have passed cusotms. Your boarding card tells you what gate you fly from, and the Gates are definitely well signposted.

I think the close proximity of the Car Park is wonderful. Within minutes of clearing the baggage hall, I am at my car and on my way home - Car Park fees (I often leave my car there for a week) are very reasonable.

I don't often eat there, occassionally use the Skyloft area, and the rules are pretty much the same as in the Shopping Mall Food Courts in Bangkok, you put some cash on an electronic card, adnthen hand over to the food-server who will deduct the charge, get refund on exiting. I've used 1 or 2 restaurants on both side of immigration, and cash seems to work well (even foreign currency).

Smoking Rooms, I agree are a little difficult to locate first time, and are small and not well ventilated - similar to many in other airports. I'm an on and off smoker, adn vising one of these (anywhere) reminds me to concentrate more on being and 'off' smoker! On a positive note, if fancy a ciggy, you don't really have to light up! Just stick your head inside for a minute or 2!

Duty Free certainly isn't great, but our only real reference must be Don Muang. Swampy is certainly leaps and bounds beyond that.

I give Swampy the overall 'thumbs up'

The corruption and Criminal Activities that take place are not 'airport-specific', they come with the territory. If Thailand sorts these issues, then of course the Airport would follow suit too.

My one real gripe is at the Passport Control Counters, considering they've all had 'smiling' training, they aren't doing a very good job! Sad really,as this is often the Tourists fist contact with a local of LOS!

[Jim]

My views: Swampy may not be perfect, or anywhere close, but it is much better than Don Muang and a million billion miles better than the national embarassment and disgrace that is Heathrow, which is the minging asshole of world airports.

You think immigration is slow and unsmiling at Swampy? try Heathrow fro non-EU passport holders? Want a termninal with no shops, restaurants or enough seats? Try Heathrow. Want an airport thats been a building site for 20 years? Try Heathrow. etc etc etc etc.

But I've just booked our next flights

[Big Boy]

Swampy airport is one of the most dismal I've seen. Second only to Moscow IMO - although even then it's a close call.

You obviously haven't travelled very much. You should try the likes of Tashkent or Bucharest.

I actually refused to take my wife inside the terminal building at Tashkent, and remained on the tarmac while they did what they had to do to the aircraft. Quite funny really, when I refused to go inside, they posted 3 security guards around us.

[margaretcarnes]

Yes BB I'd forgotten about Tashkent - thankfully - and Dalaman at midnight! We didn't get chance to even try to get into Tashkent terminal building. Were stuck on the aircraft for almost 2 hours during refuelling which was bad enough.
I do seriously hope that Swampy is improving with all the little cosmetic touches mentioned earlier, but basically I just really hate the interior of the building. Outside is great as I said. Maybe the deign is a 'face' thing.
But going into Don Maung gave an immediate happy to be in LOS feel, which I think is lacking now. And I just don't see the need for faffing with tokens etc to pay for food. Whats wrong with real money? Schipol manages it pretty well. That said though, if Swampy does have problems with staff honesty it's a way to reduce the risk.

[stgrhe]

Before Suvarnabhumi was opened AOT bragged about the terminal claiming it was going to be the largest air port passenger terminal in the world. When I heard that I was astonished as the is not how modern terminals should be built and huge terminals mean long walking distances.

I recon it would have been much better building one central terminal with two or three satellites linked with the main terminal by auto trains similar to those used in KL and Hong Kong.

Secondly, how the architect could come up with a building design where its windows are almost impossible to clean is beyond my understanding not to mention its inner ugly bare concrete.

The word fiasco comes to my mined when I think of Swampy.