sojourneys

Suvarnabhumi Airport (ท่าอากาศยานสุวรรณภูมิ; pronounced su-wan-na-poom), Bangkok’s new international airport, received a fusillade of bad press when it opened in September 2006. Even before the airport opened, however, it had attracted considerable controversy, including perenial delays, dubious construction quality, cost overruns, and allegations of venal deals.

It didn’t help when less than six months after it opened, the Thai military junta was forced to allow domestic flights to be diverted to the old Don Muang on a “voluntary basis” after months of strenuous protestations by airlines and airport workers over congestions (the airport is supposedly already operating at near-full capacity), inadequate facilities, and most worryingly, soil sunsidence and cracks on the runways.

I have flown into Suvarnabhumi more than four times now, and I have to say other than the long walk between the gates, many of the earlier complains regarding the airport interior seem to have been address or are in the process of being remediated. The propinquity (or lack thereof) between the gates and immigration is tough to solve because of the poor layout, but the immigration counters seem to be more adequately staffed. I’ve never had to wait for more than 15 minutes in recent flights. Taxis are also adequate, and washrooms seem to be cleaned regularly. Things are improving.

Here are some pictures I took at various places inside the airport during a recent trip.

Scene of the Churning of the Milk Ocean

Waiting area at the departure hall

And finally…a spa in the airport. This, afterall, is Thailand!