I arrived yesterday at noon from Germany with Thai. None of the problems mentioned here, mostly because they now have BIIIG signs everywhere, sometimes standing directly in the way. No way to overlook them.
Passport / immigration was under 3 minutes - never had that before. No queue, and they no longer take photos.
The only sign missing was for Left Baggage, but so many helpful (and english) speaking peple around I had no problem to find it. Then grabbed a taxi (saw lots of them at ground floor, but took one at the arrival floor 4).
Do you speak english?
A little bit. Where you go?
Bangkapi Mall.
Ha?
Bang - Kapi.
Ah, ok, 500 Baht.
Never!
Ok, what you pay?
What the meter shows!
Ok ok...
Bangkapi was about 15 minutes (ever tried that from Don Muang?), completely stress-free, and including 25 Baht toll ended up in 200 Baht.
Return in the evening for the flight to Udon with Thai - zero problems again.
I wonder how many of the commentators have ever seen newer international airports. The ways in Suwannaboom are not longer than in others.
Suvarnabhumi Airport
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izzix
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Bangkok Post
Shippers still bound by red tape at new airport
AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK
Disgruntled shippers continue to cry foul over stranded cargo at Suvarnabhumi airport, entering its seventh day of full-scale operations.
Sumalee Chaichalermkul, representing 50 shipping companies operating at Suvarnabhumi, said a lot of cargo was going nowhere due mainly to slow approvals by the Customs Department.
He said the problems affected cargo stored at terminals managed by Bangkok Flight Services Co (BFS) as well as Thai Airways International Plc.
Documents or forms used to claim the goods failed to specify the flights or dates of cargoes arriving at the airport, making it difficult for shippers to locate them, he said.
Shippers say that BFS, the company that has been awarded the concession to operate the cargo terminal, does not have enough staff to handle unloading of goods, and lacks the experience to manage the cargo terminal.
The telephone system in the cargo terminal is also inadequate, according to Ms Sumalee.
As well, she said, the Customs Department's online information system was not yet linked with those of the shipping companies, resulting in a very complicated and slow process for claiming goods.
In addition, spaces at the cargo terminals operated by BFS and THAI were inadequate for storing goods.
Chaisak Angkhasuwan, the director-general of the Aviation Department, acknowledged that there had been poor management co-operation in the cargo areas, where Thai Airport Ground Services (Tags) oversees the facilities in the tax-free zones and BFS and THAI manage cargo services.
THAI president Apinan Sumanaseni said the space at THAI's bonded cargo warehouse was ready to be fully expanded, as ordered by ACM Chalit Pukphasuk, the deputy leader of the Council for National Security, who is overseeing the new airport.
ACM Chalit recently ordered THAI to continue pursuing its existing strategy to push for Suvarnabhumi Airport as the regional air cargo transport hub.
Thailand is seen as having an edge over Malaysia and Singapore in terms of geographical location, while the area of the cargo terminal in the new airport is large enough to store goods at bonded warehouses before re-exporting them elsewhere.
''We are now encountering connection time problems with the countries from where the cargoes are exported, which THAI and Airports of Thailand Plc, the operator of Suvarnabhumi Airport, are helping to jointly thrash out,'' said Mr Apinan.
Thawatpong Thanasumitr, a manager with BFS, conceded that the company lacked staff with expertise in shipping procedures. However, the company has discussed the problems with AoT, the airlines and the Customs Department.
The company expected the Customs Department would allow freight forwarders to utilise space in the tax-free zone until the confusion clears, he added.
To me it seems that the new airport has all the problems associated with rushing to an opening combined with normal problems that any new business experiences ,kinks to be ironed out!They main problem seems to be Thai mentallity in planning.The lack of understanding and therefore concern about the concept of service!The consumer being the most important person just doesn't compute!
The desire to impress with size,monuments etc. etc. is the most important thing.I am sure they will iron out the kinks somewhat!At least to the stage that regular visitors will continue to come to Thailand babbling,complaining and laughing that it is ''just the Thai way''!But I will be surprised if they ever reach their goals of being the main Asian ''hub''!
Yes Jetdoc,I stated that in my opening statement!The main difference is that service is a planned intent in Stapleton and other US airports!Not so in Thai businesses including the airport!To much show and no go.Available toilets ,seating,lack of luggage trolleys,reception area overcrowded with touts and hustlers,emptying of arrival into a squeezed area ,monuments blocking the needed passageways and cutting down of available passageway way by Gov't sponsored stores are all different than computer glitches ,luggage problems and staffs lack of training and familiararity normally associated with new airports!
jetdoc wrote:I guess our biggest differance is you view the Thais as not capable of competent planing but I do. So be it;o)
In general terms relating to consumer service,you are absolutely right 
Now for providing an big show an outward appearance,they are some of the best Just like that big smile 
Heres another travelers report to the nation
Sounds like excellent planning to you?----------------------------
Shortcomings spotted at Suvarnabhumi Airport
I was able to take a flight to Kuala Lumpur from Suvarnabhumi Airport within a week of its opening. I was impressed by the size of the airport compared to the airport in my country, Changi International Airport. As my flight was delayed by two hours, I had almost four hours to make a good tour of the departure hall. Below are some of my observations:
1. Lack of signs for departure gates.
On countless occasions I saw people asking staff where the departure gates were. I did not see any directions to the various gates either. Do note that the departure hall is very big and if you go in the wrong direction you will waste a lot of time going back.
2. Lack of public phones.
My cell-phone battery ran out and I was trying to find a public phone. However, the staff told me there was no public phone in the departure hall and the phones in the duty free shop were only for making calls within the airport. This is the first time I have ever seen an airport without any public phones in the departure hall.
3. Condition, location of toilets.
I was disappointed with the lack of toilets in the departure hall and the location of the toilets. The toilets are small and not easy to find. Also, is there any reason to locate the toilets next to the rear of a restaurant? If you go and inspect the area, you will see how dirty it is. Why let visitors see such places?
4. Poor workmanship.
The flooring in the departure hall is very badly done. Many tiles are broken or cracked. Pushing a trolley from one end of the departure hall to the other end, you will notice that many tiles are hollow, ie there is not enough cement under the tiles. I wonder how long these tiles will last with such workmanship.
5. Duty free shops.
Duty free shopping is not just about high-end shopping. The planning should also incorporate the promoting of Thai culture. Where are the shops selling good Thai desserts? Also, there is a lack of electronics shops selling accessories for travellers.
6. ATM machines.
I am surprised that there were no ATM machines in the departure hall. I expected the planners to learn from the mistake at the old airport and provide some ATM machines in the departure hall for withdrawals. And why are Thai Military Bank and Siam Commercial Bank the only two banks operating in the whole airport?
Suvarnabhumi Airport scores very well in size, but very badly in planning, design and construction.
Toh Hwee
Bangkok
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oldfield
So it's perfectly Thai then..
Looks great from the outside..big and beautiful, but upon closer inspection the flaws start to show up.
Thailand is the land of appearances and show. It's like the guys (and girls) who drive around in BMW's and Merc's, (bought on credit) and live in a ------ little apartment. It's all for show.
As long as it looks good that's all that matters - who cares if it works or not!!!
Looks great from the outside..big and beautiful, but upon closer inspection the flaws start to show up.
Thailand is the land of appearances and show. It's like the guys (and girls) who drive around in BMW's and Merc's, (bought on credit) and live in a ------ little apartment. It's all for show.
As long as it looks good that's all that matters - who cares if it works or not!!!
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arjay
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Very aptly put.oldfield wrote:Thailand is the land of appearances and show. It's like the guys (and girls) who drive around in BMW's and Merc's, (bought on credit) and live in a **** little apartment. It's all for show.
LOS = The land of status. That was one of the first things I learnt from a previous wise TGF, when I remarked how many Thai people had such nice cars etc - "they're all bought on credit".
The best part of it,They don't have to pay.Repossession is not urgently enforced and when it is,they can still get credit and do it all over again.The secret to Thai businesses that don't make sense,they live on borrowed funds,no pay back! I still can't figure how these institutions stay afloat.I guess all the little fees collected for what would seem a normal free service by my home banks! 
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arjay
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Ah Paul, you may not be totally in tune here!!
We are talking about the fact that the new airport is concerned with status/show, and thus appearance, rather than practical functionality.
As long as it looks good from the outside, they aren't worried if there are enough toilets inside.
I don't know if they've paid for it yet though!!
We are talking about the fact that the new airport is concerned with status/show, and thus appearance, rather than practical functionality.
As long as it looks good from the outside, they aren't worried if there are enough toilets inside.
I don't know if they've paid for it yet though!!
Hi everyone. I'm new to this forum, but am currently enjoying my fourth trip to Thailand.
I have now been through the new airport twice - both on domestic flights. First, 4 days ago as an arriving passenger from Phuket and today as a departing passenger to Udon. I actually found both experiences to be pretty good.
Check-in and signage was just fine and no luggage problems with either trip. Perhaps most of the problems involve mostly int'l flights.
In any case, I'm now in Udon for 3 weeks with my Thai girlfriend (of 6 months) and looking forward to a great time.
I have now been through the new airport twice - both on domestic flights. First, 4 days ago as an arriving passenger from Phuket and today as a departing passenger to Udon. I actually found both experiences to be pretty good.
Check-in and signage was just fine and no luggage problems with either trip. Perhaps most of the problems involve mostly int'l flights.
In any case, I'm now in Udon for 3 weeks with my Thai girlfriend (of 6 months) and looking forward to a great time.
BKKSTAN, Don't want to get into a big debait but just a few examples I witnessed on Air ports that I workedon.
1. Lack of signs for departure gates.
Some one decided the Airport signs needed to be replaced at HNL not sure why maybe age or excess funds. Signs replaced--nobody could read them--signs replaced again, looked real similar to the old ones.
2. Lack of public phones.
Before I retired Phone companys were removeing public phones as they are no llonger cost effective due to cell phone popularity, I think we'll just have to live with this.
3. Condition, location of toilets.
Does look like poor planing.
4. Poor workmanship.
Brand new hanger at PHX.
Floor had to be jack hammered and replaced due to cracking.
First big rain hanger had to be evacuated because of a lake forming on the roof. Seems someone didn't think about the heat melting the tar which solidifyed in the 12 to 14 inch drain pipes rendering them useless.
The ramps outside the hanger were black top aircraft sunk thru, had to be torn up and replaced.
The list goes on but I don't wish to bore.
5. Duty free shops.
Can't comment because I usually don't patronize them (no money).
6. ATM machines.
Not sure what the departure hall is at the new airportbut if it is located after passing formalites, I don't remember many at the old airport, but have to admit that when I'm leaving I didn't load up on baht.
In the USofA we have a problem we tend to through money at it till it goes away. Third world (I consider Thailand an emerging third world contry) countries don't have that luxury and approach things differently. I think that we have to be careful in our thinking, in the west we are probably more educated, but that doesn't equate to more inteligent. I'm a guest here so I tend to cut them a little more slack. Sorry!!
1. Lack of signs for departure gates.
Some one decided the Airport signs needed to be replaced at HNL not sure why maybe age or excess funds. Signs replaced--nobody could read them--signs replaced again, looked real similar to the old ones.
2. Lack of public phones.
Before I retired Phone companys were removeing public phones as they are no llonger cost effective due to cell phone popularity, I think we'll just have to live with this.
3. Condition, location of toilets.
Does look like poor planing.
4. Poor workmanship.
Brand new hanger at PHX.
Floor had to be jack hammered and replaced due to cracking.
First big rain hanger had to be evacuated because of a lake forming on the roof. Seems someone didn't think about the heat melting the tar which solidifyed in the 12 to 14 inch drain pipes rendering them useless.
The ramps outside the hanger were black top aircraft sunk thru, had to be torn up and replaced.
The list goes on but I don't wish to bore.
5. Duty free shops.
Can't comment because I usually don't patronize them (no money).
6. ATM machines.
Not sure what the departure hall is at the new airportbut if it is located after passing formalites, I don't remember many at the old airport, but have to admit that when I'm leaving I didn't load up on baht.
In the USofA we have a problem we tend to through money at it till it goes away. Third world (I consider Thailand an emerging third world contry) countries don't have that luxury and approach things differently. I think that we have to be careful in our thinking, in the west we are probably more educated, but that doesn't equate to more inteligent. I'm a guest here so I tend to cut them a little more slack. Sorry!!
No apology needed.I understand where you are coming from.And I must say,you have more first hand experience in airport structual and physical problems.Maybe I don't cut as much slack as you, as I might have experiences that tend to put me in a place of cynicism.I have a very hard time seeing positive results involving Thai business attitudes towards customers.I have seen a few,and they stand out as memorable events.I think I actually do cut slack for Thais as I think I recognize the reasons behind their performance!but that is to Thais directly.On the forum,talking to other falangs,I express my feelings and opinions.There is absolutely nothing to debate,we have different views and I totally respect your right to your as I believe you to do to me having mine!Best regards