Bangkok International Airport

The New Bangkok International Airport or as it is also known the Survarnabhumi Airport is located 25 km from Bangkok in Bang Phli district’s Racha Thewa. The name ‘Survarnabhumi’ means the ancient kingdom and was chosen by King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The airport serves mainly Bangkok city in Thailand and for the moment is concentrating mainly on commercial flights as its conducting limited operations for the moment. The Survarnabhumi Airport has only been open since September 2006 due to many delays that they have experienced.

The airport took over the older Don Mueang International Airport, which use to be the main commercial airport in Bangkok, and all its flights. The revamping of the airport has included 132.2m air traffic control tower, one of the worlds tallest and an airport terminal that stands at 563,000 m2, the second largest building. However that may not be the end of the Don Mueang International as the Survarnabhumi airport has experienced many problems since its opening and so it may need to be closed for repairs while the Don Mueang airport handles all the flights.

The Survarnabhumi International Airport is a public airport and is operated by the Airports of Thailand Public Co Ltd. The airport is 1.4 meters or 4.6 feet above mean sea level and has two asphalt runways between 3,700 and 4,000 meters long. From the airport there plans to be a high-speed rail for the use of passengers and hopes to be completed by the end of 2007. From the city to the airport passengers will be able to get fast and efficient transport, taking them a maximum of 15 minutes. For the moment while the high-speed rail is still being completed passengers can still make use of the suburban commuter train service.

An alternative means of transport is the airport express buses, of which the airport operates a total of four. The air-conditioned buses take passengers from the first floor terminal all the way to down town Bangkok and to other various destinations. The airport express bus can be a little pricey, so you can also take the City buses but you will be required to take a shuttle bus to the bus terminal before you can be taken to your destination. Taxis and limousines are available but can work out to be very expensive. The taxis work off meters but before you leave for your destination you will be given a surcharge of 50 baht, another 300 to 400 baht, depending on where you are going and charged for tolls, which is about 60 baht. A part from a heafty payment you will also have to endure a 40 to 60 minute trip into the city depending on the traffic.