All the way - to BKK!! (Suvarnabhumi New Bangkok International Airport (BKK))

Member Name: doctordarke2389

Product:	Suvarnabhumi New Bangkok International Airport (BKK)
Date:	23/07/09 (8 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Clean, and not too overcrowded

Disadvantages: A bit too anti-septic for some; be very careful in the shops

I've hit Suvarnabhumi (pronouced 'suvarnaphoom' I believe) about a dozen times, in and outbound. The place is huge, (as you'd expect from an international flagship airport) and very post-modern in an impersonal kind of way. As has been written elswehere, it's about 15.5 miles (20(ish) Km from Bangkok which can be reached by taxi or bus. A word about taxis - don't get the FIRST one that crowds round you, the 'luxury' yellow ones, they'll charge you THB 1,500 (about £30) when you can walk a few yards to the concourse and get one for about half that amount on the roadside. Watch out for all the 'assistants' who'll expect a tip, by the way.

Back to Suvarnabhumi BKK - it's built on several levels, and immigration inwards is below the outbound concourse. When you disbark, follow the signs to 'immigration' which may be some distance away, dependent on the gate your 'plane stops at. However, they do have lots of those funky moving pavements for ease of passage! I always try to get there quickly, as sometimes there can be a heavy build-up of queues, which if you're stuck at the back can be fairly tedious for the tired, travel-stained tourist.

The outward concourse is very well laid out with large, easily recognisable airline logos showing the alphabetical gate your carrier is located at. Once you've checked in and negotiated your way through emigration (which can also attract long queues) BKK boasts a plethora of boutique shops selling the usual airport paraphernalia - perfume, cancer sticks (sorry cigarettes) booze, jewellery, lovely Thai silk scarves, dodgy Thai chocolate, electronic gadgetry, etc., etc. There are a LOT of these outlets laid out in a linear high street configuration, dotted with the occasional small bar and generic international eateries. If you're stopping to eat/drink with little time to spare, ensure that it's reasonably near your departure gate as some of them are a fair distance away.

Okay, I concede that airports are pretty much of a muchness, but BKK is better than most I've been to. For those of you who feel the need, there are a number of smoking rooms strategically placed, and most importantly the toilets are clean, in abundance, and well frequented.

A few words to the wise, however; it's noticeable that this airport was dogged by allegations of corruption and bad building practice during the construction phase.

Also, watch out for the 'zig zag' scam. This involves gangs of police and security personnel surrounding tourists and accusing them of shoplifting. The victims are subjected to hours, or days of harrowing interrogations and detention in filthy conditions until they pay several thousand pounds in 'bail', 'consultation and translation' and 'lawyers' fees. The obviously logical answer to this is don't go into the airport shops, or if you do, don't move goods from one area to another in the shop as this can constitute attempted shoplifting. Be very careful ..

Summary: There's worse places ...