BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport Update

[infoworks]

Is this for people with APEC card too?

YES! It's actually signposted as the diplomatic/special pass area, I didn't see an APEC sign, but the immigration staff "both sides of the glass wall" all knew. I don't recall it being there when I went through a few weeks ago on day 2 of operations, in fact I am pretty sure it wasn't.

 

[clifford]

You know, guys,

This airport is such a FU that my wife and myself won't be visiting it any time soon.

We don't have to.

 

[JohnK]

I should start looking for a new holiday destination just in case the new airport may cause minor inconveniences from time to time until the dust has settled.

Or better still fly to Burma, Laos, Cambodia or Malaysia and trek overland to Thailand just to avoid the new airport.

 

[infoworks]

It's not that bad! So far my two experiences have been OK, notwithstanding the teething problems they are having. The government has replaced the board of the operating company and set some clear directives to get things sorted out.

 

[JohnK]

I know. My statement should have been posted with mandatory sarcasm quotes. As if I would change a regular holiday, business, transit, destination just because a new airport is having teething problems.

 

[pauly7]

The temporary QF F lounge is interesting - I'd suggest that anyone visiting waits for boarding before they eat! The booze is adequate though!


Michael

Food and beverages were fine in the J lounge, maybe next time run across the hall

 

[clifford]

I know. My statement should have been posted with mandatory sarcasm quotes. As if I would change a regular holiday, business, transit, destination just because a new airport is having teething problems.

But why wouldn't you?

You're happy to put up with sh.t service?

I'll bet you're not when it comes to shopping, so what's the difference?

 

[JohnK]

You're happy to put up with sh.t service?

Simple. Teething problems. I can put up with minor disruptions in a new airport to be in a place I enjoy visiting. Don Muang had issues! LHR and LAX have major issues yet people are still happy to transit through these airports.

I'll bet you're not when it comes to shopping, so what's the difference?

To me there is no relevance between the two.

I would really be worried if I had to pay over $1,000 return SYD-BKK flying with Jetstar.

 

[jasonja3]

no mention of the actual QF/BA lounge being completed.

Captain on BA10 last night arriving into BKK, announced they were expecting the lounge to be open Late January

 

[jasonja3]

The area closest to the new airport is Bang Na. There a few good hotels there but I have not stayed in any of them. The next closest area is Sukhumvit and I have stayed there in the past with some very good choice hotels of all price ranges.

My next visit, Dec/Jan, I am staying one night at the Dynasty Inn before heading south to play golf and when returning to BKK I will probably be staying in Bang Na for a couple of nights at either Novotel Bang Na or Royal Princess Srinakarin Hotel or Kanary House Hotel depending on availability and price. I normally book through Precision Reservations who at times have some good deals.

Bang Na is about 25min from airport, and 270 Baht in a metered taxi. Novotel Bangna was fine, US$80 for B&B. Much better than the old hotels around Don Muang.....

 

[JohnK]

Novotel Bangna was fine, US$80 for B&B. Much better than the old hotels around Don Muang.....

I am going to miss staying at Quality Suites and Century Park Hotel. Too far from the new airport....

 

[mileagemax]

Personally, I wouldn't bother trying to stay at hotels closer to the airport. I have been back and forth from hotels in the city (Silom, Wireless Road) and the average time taken is about 35-45 minutes. Once you get on the tollways it is normally fine. The roads and access to the new airport are actually alot better than to the old one, so you are less likely to be stuck by bad traffic.

 

[clifford]

The roads and access to the new airport are actually alot better than to the old one, so you are less likely to be stuck by bad traffic.

Have to disagree with this. Once got from my hotel in Silom Rd to Don Muang by hotel car in less than 25 mins. Motorway all the way (not including the few hundred metres to get to the motorway - and I do know Bangkok quite well).

So, please explain.

 

[mileagemax]

What I meant was there are more roads, wider roads, more options to the new airport.

Sure... getting to the old one was quicker by 10 minutes or so if the main tollway wasn't clogged, but if it was, then you would be stuck there for a long long time, especially with the 1 lane exit ramp from the tollway to the actual airport. I got caught a number of times in the past.

 

[JohnK]

Personally, I wouldn't bother trying to stay at hotels closer to the airport. I have been back and forth from hotels in the city (Silom, Wireless Road) and the average time taken is about 35-45 minutes.

I will try the Bang Na hotels on my next trip. I don't like the Silom area and usually I prefer to stay in Sukhumvit area or closer to Victory Monument.

I am not keen on using taxis to/from the new airport based on the stories I have been reading on some Thai websites. I have reasonable arrangements with private car to get out of BKK but the late arrival of OneWorld flights from Oz/Singapore almost forces me to spend 1 night in BKK each time. I know it is not a lot of money but I still hate paying 500 baht extortion to some 2 bit taxi driver.

 

[wandering_fred]

Last Friday - meter cab to Suhkumvit (low soi number end) was surprisingly on tollways to the same exit used previously from Don Muang. No hassles with the fare - other than the standard 50 baht airport fee.

return was slightly longer with the trip going down by Lumpini and then straight east - but coming into the airport from the east. Not really a big deal the fare being about 50 baht more than the earlier trip. Great view of the planes landing made up for it in part.

Only complaint - not enough desks open in passport control on the way in.

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[jasonja3]

Are left luggage facilities available there? I may need to leave bags there for a couple of nights, rather than dragging them around Bangkok.

Yes, there is one on the arrival level and one on the departure level at the back of check in counters P & Q. 100 Baht per piece for less than 24hrs, or over 24hrs 50 baht per piece per 12 hours. Maximum time is 4 months. It was quite popular.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Yes, there is one on the arrival level and one on the departure level at the back of check in counters P & Q. 100 Baht per piece for less than 24hrs, or over 24hrs 50 baht per piece per 12 hours. Maximum time is 4 months. It was quite popular.

Brilliant! thank you muchly.

 

[JohnK]

I have been researching accommodation for 2 nights in BKK in the new year. In the past I have stayed at Quality Suites Hotel (near Don Muang) for US$50/night and City Lodge (Sukhumvit Soi 19) for US$43/night. Quality Suites is not a bad hotel where as City Lodge is very average.

Now that the new airport is out in the swamp the price of Quality Suites has dropped to US$41/night and the price of City Lodge is up to US$71/night. I have noticed many of the Sukhumvit hotels have increased their prices!

I think I will stay in the suite and save US$30/night. Even with the extra fare that will be required to get there in the taxi I will still come out in front.

 

[one9]

...

I think I will stay in the suite and save US$30/night. Even with the extra fare that will be required to get there in the taxi I will still come out in front.

Have you considered the opportunity cost of your time in the taxi (especially bangkok taxis) in your calculations?