I arrived at Suvarnabhumi yesterday afternoon, with absolutely no problems at all, I was surprised, considering the size of the place, how quickly I got from the gate, through immigration, baggage collection, and into a taxi.
One of the best things was the lack of queing at immigration, there was only one person in front of me, and I was through in a couple of minutes.
I was going to get the shuttle bus to the transport centre, but while I was waiting taxis kept pulling up, so I jumped in one, which got me to Victory Monument in 35 minutes for 400 baht, I sure you could get it for less, but I had been on the go for 24 hours and couldn’t be bothered to haggle.
I was surprised how easily you get out onto the Chonburi-Bangkok expressway, it’s just a matter of minutes, and there was no traffic problems, I think once the southern ring-road is complete it will be easier than getting from Don Muang.
Don’t ask me about the architecture etc. I was too tired to notice anything, except that it is big!
SUVARNABHUMI AIRPORT
Suvarnabhumi can compete against Changi: Singapore airport chief
Suvarnabhumi Airport could become a "formidable competitor" to the award-winning Changi Airport, according to the Singapore airport's managing director Foo Sek Min.
He said Bangkok's new international airport was a "100 per cent improvement" on Don Muang, despite the many hitches since it opened on September 28.
Foo warned, however, that Suvarnabhumi should be aware of its costs spiralling, put up better signs and improve its baggage-handling system.
He said Changi - regarded as the world's best airport - was confident in its strategy of having three main terminals plus one low-cost terminal, instead of having one mega-terminal like Suvarnabhumi.
"We believe we need to be on a human scale. Passengers won't get lost, so we have three terminals," Foo said.
The Nation 2006-10-05
Suvarnabhumi Airport could become a "formidable competitor" to the award-winning Changi Airport, according to the Singapore airport's managing director Foo Sek Min.
He said Bangkok's new international airport was a "100 per cent improvement" on Don Muang, despite the many hitches since it opened on September 28.
Foo warned, however, that Suvarnabhumi should be aware of its costs spiralling, put up better signs and improve its baggage-handling system.
He said Changi - regarded as the world's best airport - was confident in its strategy of having three main terminals plus one low-cost terminal, instead of having one mega-terminal like Suvarnabhumi.
"We believe we need to be on a human scale. Passengers won't get lost, so we have three terminals," Foo said.
The Nation 2006-10-05
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
Best travel medium
Hi Visit in Nov, how far is the new airport from Hua Hin, and what is best travel mode....also anyone recomend a good cenral hotel/guesthouse
Cheers
Cheers
BECL cashes in on new airport traffic
Daily volume rises by 20-30,000 trips
CHAROEN KITTIKANYA
Suvarnabhumi Airport has given Bangkok Expressway Plc (BECL) a boost with the sharp jump in the number of vehicles using its roads over the last eight days.
A taxi heads toward Suvarnabhumi from Bang Na yesterday on the expressway, a route that has seen a significant rise in traffic since the airport opened. — SAROT MEKSOPHAWANNAKUL
''Our daily traffic volume rose on average by 20,000 to 30,000 trips after the opening of the new airport, but that is partly because of the school break and a horde of visitors to the new airport,'' said BECL managing director Suvich Pungchareon.
Prior to the opening of the new airport, average daily volume on all of BECL's expressways was 910,000 to 920,000 trips.
Mr Suvich said the firm would need about three months to determine the real impact of the airport on its traffic volume.
However, BECL is expecting a significant rise in performance in 2007 because of traffic to the airport, following an estimated 3% growth in traffic volume and toll revenue this year.
BECL, which operates road networks under a 30-year concession from the government, reported a 5.49% year-on-year rise in six-month net profit to 788.14 million baht, helped by a 2.3% increase in toll revenue to 3.38 billion baht.
The company reported revenue of 6.73 billion baht in 2005, up 2% from a year earlier, but net profit declined 22.3% to 1.48 billion baht. It noted that the profit for the previous year had included tax gains from the sale of a subsidiary.
According to Mr Suvich, the company's growth in 2007 would also be helped by the completion of an automatic toll-collection system for distance-based charges for four-wheel vehicles on the second-stage expressway system that covers suburban routes in Bangkok.
The new toll system was due to be completed this year but has been stalled because of political problems.
BECL will set up a subsidiary to run the new toll system under a 15-year contract with the Expressway and Rapid Transit Authority.
The investment is estimated at 600 million to 800 million baht and is expected to break even in seven years.
BECL shares closed yesterday on the SET at 22 baht, unchanged, in trade worth 15.78 million baht.
BECL's gains from Suvarnabhumi have come at the expense of Don Muang Tollway Plc, which is losing 600,000 baht a day due to the decline in traffic to northern Bangkok where the old Don Muang airport was located.
President Sombat Panichcheewa recently admitted that the tollway's usage had fallen by 22% to 30,000 cars a day, pushing down average daily revenue from 3.3 million to 2.7 million baht.
He said Don Muang Tollway had no need to make adjustments or reduce tolls as the loss was expected to be offset by a projected 5% growth in traffic in the future.
But Mr Sombat urged the new government to help settle a long-running dispute over compensation for the breach of the company's concession by the Transport Ministry, which built local roads competing with the tollway.
Don Muang Tollway claims it has accumulated losses of 4-5 billion baht because of the new local roads.
Bangkok post 2006=10-06
Daily volume rises by 20-30,000 trips
CHAROEN KITTIKANYA
Suvarnabhumi Airport has given Bangkok Expressway Plc (BECL) a boost with the sharp jump in the number of vehicles using its roads over the last eight days.
A taxi heads toward Suvarnabhumi from Bang Na yesterday on the expressway, a route that has seen a significant rise in traffic since the airport opened. — SAROT MEKSOPHAWANNAKUL
''Our daily traffic volume rose on average by 20,000 to 30,000 trips after the opening of the new airport, but that is partly because of the school break and a horde of visitors to the new airport,'' said BECL managing director Suvich Pungchareon.
Prior to the opening of the new airport, average daily volume on all of BECL's expressways was 910,000 to 920,000 trips.
Mr Suvich said the firm would need about three months to determine the real impact of the airport on its traffic volume.
However, BECL is expecting a significant rise in performance in 2007 because of traffic to the airport, following an estimated 3% growth in traffic volume and toll revenue this year.
BECL, which operates road networks under a 30-year concession from the government, reported a 5.49% year-on-year rise in six-month net profit to 788.14 million baht, helped by a 2.3% increase in toll revenue to 3.38 billion baht.
The company reported revenue of 6.73 billion baht in 2005, up 2% from a year earlier, but net profit declined 22.3% to 1.48 billion baht. It noted that the profit for the previous year had included tax gains from the sale of a subsidiary.
According to Mr Suvich, the company's growth in 2007 would also be helped by the completion of an automatic toll-collection system for distance-based charges for four-wheel vehicles on the second-stage expressway system that covers suburban routes in Bangkok.
The new toll system was due to be completed this year but has been stalled because of political problems.
BECL will set up a subsidiary to run the new toll system under a 15-year contract with the Expressway and Rapid Transit Authority.
The investment is estimated at 600 million to 800 million baht and is expected to break even in seven years.
BECL shares closed yesterday on the SET at 22 baht, unchanged, in trade worth 15.78 million baht.
BECL's gains from Suvarnabhumi have come at the expense of Don Muang Tollway Plc, which is losing 600,000 baht a day due to the decline in traffic to northern Bangkok where the old Don Muang airport was located.
President Sombat Panichcheewa recently admitted that the tollway's usage had fallen by 22% to 30,000 cars a day, pushing down average daily revenue from 3.3 million to 2.7 million baht.
He said Don Muang Tollway had no need to make adjustments or reduce tolls as the loss was expected to be offset by a projected 5% growth in traffic in the future.
But Mr Sombat urged the new government to help settle a long-running dispute over compensation for the breach of the company's concession by the Transport Ministry, which built local roads competing with the tollway.
Don Muang Tollway claims it has accumulated losses of 4-5 billion baht because of the new local roads.
Bangkok post 2006=10-06
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
Suvarnabhumi gets passing grade in first week
BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA
Suvarnabhumi Airport has received a passing grade in its first week of operation, but still has a long way to go before it can compete with world-class airports in Hong Kong and Singapore, international airline managers say.
Many executives were poised for the worst when the 125-billion-baht airport opened on Sept 28, expecting a host of baggage system malfunctions and computer glitches. But the problems turned out to be largely similar to those that airlines faced at the old Bangkok International Airport (Don Muang) right up until its closure.''Before the opening, we were so worried about problems, particularly with the baggage system,'' said Seiichi Iwasaki, the Southeast Asia regional manager for Japan Airlines. ''But it turned out to be okay, though there are still small problems.''
Most complaints have dealt with the airport's handling of cargo, which frustrated businesses that had goods, including perishable items, stranded for days. Unclear documentation requirements, insufficient cargo space, processing delays and the lack of experienced staff all contributed to the disorder.
Even so, many airline executives rated Suvarnabhumi's terminal and operation about six or seven on a scale of 10. The ratings are consistent with scores that Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT), which runs the airport, has given itself.
''From CX's (Cathay Pacific) perspective the airport has worked very well for a newly opened facility, particularly in light of the various issues that have plagued Suvarnabhumi over the past few months,'' said Patrick Yeung, general manager of Cathay Pacific for Southeast Asia.
''In terms of living up to expectations, from the airport services point of view the answer is yes. I would rate Suvarnabhumi a seven out of 10.''
Problems with the terminal cited by airline managers included poor and insufficient signage, dirty and inadequate bathroom facilities, a lack of moving walkways, late arrival of baggage and overall terminal cleanliness.
While fixing the cargo handling problems is crucial, airline executives said the other concerns could be taken care of in time. ''The airport has performed much better than expected,'' said Udom Tantiprasongchai, chief executive officer of Orient Thai Airlines and One-Two-Go Airlines. He credited the high dedication and team spirit among all concerned parties, as well as efficient contingency plans.
''Of course, there were rattles here and there, but there was considerable co-operation and determination to deal with the problems,'' Mr Udom said.
Bangkok Post 2006-10-06
BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA
Suvarnabhumi Airport has received a passing grade in its first week of operation, but still has a long way to go before it can compete with world-class airports in Hong Kong and Singapore, international airline managers say.
Many executives were poised for the worst when the 125-billion-baht airport opened on Sept 28, expecting a host of baggage system malfunctions and computer glitches. But the problems turned out to be largely similar to those that airlines faced at the old Bangkok International Airport (Don Muang) right up until its closure.''Before the opening, we were so worried about problems, particularly with the baggage system,'' said Seiichi Iwasaki, the Southeast Asia regional manager for Japan Airlines. ''But it turned out to be okay, though there are still small problems.''
Most complaints have dealt with the airport's handling of cargo, which frustrated businesses that had goods, including perishable items, stranded for days. Unclear documentation requirements, insufficient cargo space, processing delays and the lack of experienced staff all contributed to the disorder.
Even so, many airline executives rated Suvarnabhumi's terminal and operation about six or seven on a scale of 10. The ratings are consistent with scores that Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT), which runs the airport, has given itself.
''From CX's (Cathay Pacific) perspective the airport has worked very well for a newly opened facility, particularly in light of the various issues that have plagued Suvarnabhumi over the past few months,'' said Patrick Yeung, general manager of Cathay Pacific for Southeast Asia.
''In terms of living up to expectations, from the airport services point of view the answer is yes. I would rate Suvarnabhumi a seven out of 10.''
Problems with the terminal cited by airline managers included poor and insufficient signage, dirty and inadequate bathroom facilities, a lack of moving walkways, late arrival of baggage and overall terminal cleanliness.
While fixing the cargo handling problems is crucial, airline executives said the other concerns could be taken care of in time. ''The airport has performed much better than expected,'' said Udom Tantiprasongchai, chief executive officer of Orient Thai Airlines and One-Two-Go Airlines. He credited the high dedication and team spirit among all concerned parties, as well as efficient contingency plans.
''Of course, there were rattles here and there, but there was considerable co-operation and determination to deal with the problems,'' Mr Udom said.
Bangkok Post 2006-10-06
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
AOT approves budgets for resolving problems at Suvarnabhumi Airport
The Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) has approved a 215-million-baht budget for conducting research on the impacts from the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport. The meeting also allowed the CEO of AOT to draw emergency fund for helping the surrounding communities of Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Mr. Chotisak Asapaviriya (⪵ÔÈÑ¡´Ôì Ã
The Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) has approved a 215-million-baht budget for conducting research on the impacts from the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport. The meeting also allowed the CEO of AOT to draw emergency fund for helping the surrounding communities of Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Mr. Chotisak Asapaviriya (⪵ÔÈÑ¡´Ôì Ã
With A Name Like Bas, It Has To Be Good.
airport-hua hin
Thanks Steve...what chance of mini bus from the airport, anything from the transit area, or airport hotels? 