Departing From Bangkok Airport
Navigating the Departures Terminal at the New Airport in Bangkok
Departure Terminal at Bangkok Airport
When the trip to Thailand concludes at Suvarnabhumi (pronounced Su-war-na-bume) International Airport the taxi driver will inquire the name of the departure gate and will then proceed to stop at the required entrance. The entrance for International passengers is on the 4th floor of the departure building. After being cosseted by the most caring people on earth and with their inexhaustible Thai politeness the driver will get a luggage trolley and after loading it, while the fare is being dispensed with, will bid the traveler “choke dee”, good luck and then in a shriek of whistles the next step of the departure begins.
Suvarnabhumi, also referred to as Bangkok International Airport, can be reached from Bangkok city by numerous air-conditioned buses.
Bangkok Airport Check-In
Once inside the welcoming cool interior the immediate presence of monitors is reassuring and baggage check-in is effortless. The multi-lingual staff are knowledgeable and efficient leaving the traveler with all the relevant details for passing through Immigration and Passport Control at their fingertips. Internet check-in which is now available from many airlines makes the whole process even more streamlined and faster. Indeed some airlines now give minor free drink/food coupons as an incentive for doing so.
Bangkok Airport Passport Control
Immigration and Passport Control is located close by the check-in areas and quickly accessed. Once inside the process of checking documentation is predictably tedious but seriously effective. Orderly queues are formed and individually processed. If any queries with documentation are raised the person involved is politely asked to come to one side for further assistance thereby leaving the officer in charge free to deal with the next passenger without further delay. All-in-all it is smooth, effective and free of intimidation.
Finding the Correct Gate at Bangkok Airport
Individual gates are marked clearly on big signs inside each entrance to the main concourse. For gates C1 - C10 turn left; also turn left for D1 - D4. But now a word of caution - as the excitement of the concourse can lead to errors - for all other gates starting from D5 right through E, F and G numbers turn right. More specific signs will offer further directions as the passenger gate is approached. Some of these gates are quite a distance from the entrance so double check the departure time in order to arrive on time. Do this before the shopping experience takes over.
Shopping at Bangkok Airport
Shopping in Suvarnabhumi is quite different from the markets and stalls of The Patpong in Bangkok city and the beach road of Pattaya etc. here Jim Thompson silk scarves and ties, leather belts and designer wallets, watches and chocolates and of course orchids are all on tempting display.
Thai Chocolates and Thai Orchids
Pyramids of chocolates in colorful boxes with scenes of Wat Arun (Temple of The Dawn) and the familiar Thai Elephant are offered with tantalizing frequency. Also on display as take home gifts are boxes of Thai desserts and dried fruit. The beautiful Thai orchids are boxed for easy travel. These exquisite eastern beauties are available in boxes of ten, twenty and thirty stems. Each stem is individually packaged in a plastic phial filled with water. This method keep the flowers fresh for days and the memories of the trip to Thailand can be felt as the stems are arranged in vases far away from their exotic land.
Bangkok Airport Contact Numbers
Suvarnabhumi Airport Call Center: Tel. 02-132-1888
Airport Information Counter: Tel. 02-132-0000
Departure Information: Tel. 02-132-9424-7
