Bangkok Flights

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The new Space-age Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) started operations in September 2006 and we were among the first few to use that airport within first 3 month's of its operation. Located 30 km to the east of Bangkok, now Suvarnabhumi Airport is Bangkok's main airport and the busiest airport in Southeast Asia.

It is used for almost all international flights to/from Bangkok. There is only one terminal building, but it is huge which covers both domestic and international flights. The airport provides facilities expected from any modern international airport including ATMs, tax-free shops, restaurants, transit services and accommodation.

There are two immigration sections, but processing time can be lengthy due to high volume of passengers. What impressed us most about the airport is about the security system as the airport has automated security device to scan your body as you walk and no need to make individual security checks which consume time for clean passengers.

The sky train is convenient for day to day travel around Bangkok but as an airport transfer it's not too good if you are toting luggage. Every sky train station has some stairs you will need to negotiate. There are a small set at the base of every escalator and if you are connecting to an MRT station then there will be more stairs at some point. Fine if you have a backpack, a bit of a pain with trolley bags. The entry gates are very narrow and the barriers close very quickly, requiring you to move through them at some speed otherwise they will close on you. There are wide gates at the stations but an attendant has to open those for you. The BTS is a heavily trafficked transport system and it will be difficult to tote trolley bags through the stations particularly during the day when the walkways are packed shoulder to shoulder with people. Although it's a lot cheaper than a taxi and seems easier if you have more than one bag you will be better off with a taxi to get to your hotel. Bangkok isn't pedestrian friendly, the footpaths are narrow and lumpy and you have to dodge bicycles, pedestrians and the odd motor scooter on them. The footpaths in the city area are usually packed at all hours. This would only be a convenient transport system if you had a backpack or no luggage.

Makassan station is supposed be the main city transfer station and is where the express airport trains stop at. You can change to phetchaburi MRT at Makassan. Good in theory until you actually see Makassan station. It's located on the opposite side of a 6 line highway to phetaburi station with no walkway or defined pedestrian crossing between them. You also can't see the MRT station from Makassan, so unless you know which way to go once you exit, you won't be able to find it by looking around. I especially wouldn't want to be searching around for it after dark. This is the reason why 90% of airport traffic uses Phaya Thai as the city stop instead and Makassan remains largely unused.

Bangkok is generally the first stop on most travellers’ journeys to Thailand. Arriving at Suvarnabhumi International Airport from destinations abroad. Trains from the borders of Malaysia and Laos are an available but uncommon means. Buses travel to Bangkok from every city in Thailand, and VIP motorcoaches arrive from all the major centres.

(date took the airplane - July 18, 2006)

Bangkok - Kolkata - Bangkok

via Thai Airways
Airfare - ThB 13,000

TG 313Q July 18, 2006

Departure time - 23:40
Arrival time - 00:40 (July 19 - India time)

TG 314G September 27, 2006

Departure time - 02:10
Arrival time - 06:20

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Isaraporn Travel
16/5 Sukhumvit soi 3 Nana Nua
Sukhumvit Road Wattana, Bkk 10110

Terminal fee - ThB 500.00

Air Asia is a cheap flight network which gets you to and around Thailand and Asia. If you book a week in advance for trips you are likely to get flights to most places for £15 (1000baht) and under. We got a number of flights to Chiang Mai, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore for half the price of other airlines.

Another cheap airline is Nok air but does not serve as many areas and i dont think any outside Thailand.

Don Muang International Airport is about 24km north of downtown Bangkok, using the toll expressway or the Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road...

The airport has 3 terminals... Terminal 1 and 2 for international flights and the Domestic Terminal for domestic flights... The domestic terminal and international terminals are connected by a walkway or you can take a free shuttle bus service...

Transport to Bangkok include public taxi, limousine, airport coach from the arrival lounge... train service is also available across the road form the airport terminal building...

As a non-transfer passenger above 2 years of age intending to depart the country by an airplane one has to pay a government fee for of 500 Baht or 11 US$ in cash.

The problem I have with it are the travel agencies who sell you a ticket with an air fare "including all fees and taxes" which is not true and turns out upon departure in BKK. There are even some agencies around, who rise the tax to a fictional amount to earn some extra bucks. Compare the fares and conditions. If the agency tells you that all fees and taxes are included then demand a sales contract with that term and upon reception of the ticket ask about the 500 THB. Since there aren't any possibilities for a voucher or an explicit entry on the ticket he has to refund your 11 bucks (except he's purchasing a receipt from the Airport Autority directly and get it via mail) . OK it is not much money but some people don't want to work 2 hours for nothing but an empty promise and/or some people just don't want to get cheated...

If you understand German, check my page about that topics.

All Nipon Airways ( ANA ) brought me from Washington to Narita, than to Bangkok. The first flight took 14 hours, by far the longest time I spent in an airliner ! Many times I read how great service is on asian airline, well it was very nice on ANA. Extremely polite flight attendant, nice food ( well, you know japanese ! ). Eventhough I usually don't care about entertainment, it was fine to have some choice for such a long flight. We had 7 different vieod-shows in the B777. I always enjoy to get the maps showing where we are, our speed and altitude. We even got some images from a nose camera on the takeoff and landing. All the shows were either in japanese or english... I even was very surprise to find a third channel for the TV show "Friend"... in french !!! But, the best was the exercise show to prevent blood cloth. Was great to see most passengers stretching in rythm, lol !