Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok

Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi (pronounced "suwannaboom") International Airport opened in September 2006, after nearly 30 years of planning and much controversy. The huge glass and fabric structure is thoroughly modern in overall structure, but inside you will find many examples of Thai art and architecture to let you know you've arrived in the Land of Smiles.

Bangkok Airport Arrivals

Arriving planes will usually park at the airport terminal, although some international flights and low cost airlines may park at the tarmac. If parked at the terminal, passengers enter a lower level of the concourses, separate from departing people. If your plane parks on the tarmac, a bus will bring you to the main terminal building a short way from immigration. Follow the signs to immigration or to the transfer desks if necessary. If you are flying on Thai Airways and connecting to a domestic Thai Airways flight, you probably do not need to go through immigration in Bangkok if your baggage is checked through. Instead, go to the transfer desk to find out where to board your flight.

After passing through immigration, proceed through to claim your luggage. Once you have collected your bags, exit through customs to the arrivals hall. Note that there are no customs forms to fill out. If you have nothing to claim, you can go through the "green" lane. However, customs officer do perform "random" checks on passengers going through the green chanel. The thing most likely to attract their attention is cardboard boxes. Even if you're carrying gifts or samples of no intended commercial value, you should go through the red lane and you may well have to pay a duty on the import of your items. If you need to bring items into Thailand, you're best advised to send them ahead by courier service, and not hand carry them with you. It's just too much hassle. There are money exchanges and limousine counters in the arrivals hall.

Bangkok Airport Transfers

Once you get to the greeting area, you will likely be approached by a lot of touts, including ones for taxi services. To catch a regular public taxi, you must go down to level one of the terminal building. Under no circumstances should you accept a ride from any touts or "unofficial" taxi services. Real taxis have a red and white TAXI-METER sign on the roof. All Airport Taxis are gray with green plates. Many people have been robbed by seemingly friendly people offering them a ride to "a good cheap hotel they know." The official looking touts work for the airport limousine service, which will cost you twice as much as a regular taxi. If you wish, you can book the following airport transfers in advance:

Airport Hotel Accommodation

Directly outside of the main terminal building is a Novotel Airport hotel. If arriving late and you have an early morning flight, you may wish to stay here so you can get some extra sleep. However, as with all things at an airport, a night here can cost much more than a hotel in the city. Also note that for very short lay-overs of a few hours, there are day rooms, as well as a spa and fitness center, on concourse G.

Bangkok Airport Departures

Bangkok departures are fairly easy. The departure hall is on Level Four of the main terminal building. Large monitors display information about where to check in for your flight. As of 1 February 2007, there is no longer any need to purchase a departure tax coupon before going through immigration. The passenger service charge has been included in your ticket price. After passing through immigration, you enter the concourse, with all of its duty free shopping opportunities.

There is just a single security scan required at Suvarnabhumi Airport. For international passengers, the scan is performed before you are allowed onto the concourses housing the international departure gates. Domestic passengers are scanned at the entry to each departure gate. Note that international liquid, aerosol and gel rules apply to all passengers at Suvarnabhumi. When passing through the security scans, you need to remove any laptop or liquids from your carry-on before it is scanned and run them through separately.

Bangkok Airport Duty Free Shopping

Suvarnabhumi Airport features a lot of duty free shopping opportunities. While there is a wide selection of the standard duty free items - booze, cigarettes and perfume - there isn't much depth or variety. Don't expect a good selection of wines or liqueurs. You'll also find a lot of other kinds of goods, such as electronics, watches, books and luggage. There's also a selection of over-priced Thai products.

There are quite a few food choices inside the departure hall. On the 'land side' there are many dining options on level three of the main terminal. 'Air side' restaurants are clustered around the two main intersections of the concourses.

For business and first class passengers, there are a large number of lounges operated by most major airlines.