Airport crackdown gets boost

Bangkokpost Published: 28/08/2009 at 12:00 AM


Airports of Thailand Plc plans to spend 15 million baht to extend its crackdown on unlicensed taxi drivers and tour guides at Suvarnabhumi airport.

The spending was approved yesterday to boost efforts to end illegal taxis and tour guides at the airport during the new fiscal year starting on Oct 1.

The campaign involves police responsible for the airport and tourism, Land Transport Department staff and airport authorities working around the clock, AoT chairman Piyapan Champasut said.

The drive was launched on July 31.

As of Aug 9, 437 taxi drivers and 221 tour guides operating illegally at Suvarnabhumi had been arrested.

Licensed taxis were now making more trips from the airport, up from 7,000 to 8,000 trips a day, Mr Piyapan said.

The number of official airport limousines leaving the airport had also increased, from 800 to 900-1,000 trips a day. Registered tour guides who have counters at the airport say their income has increased 14%.

The board also agreed to sell its shares in five companies which were granted concessions by the AoT. They are Airport Associate, in which AoT has a 10% stake, Airport Duty Free (10 %), Thai Airport Ground Services (28.5%), King Power Duty Free (5%) and Fuel Pipeline Transportation (4.49%). Airport Associate runs a car rental and limousine service.

The book value of the shares was almost 400 million baht.

Mr Piyapan said the board could sell the shares without having to seek approval from shareholders. The decision to sell off its holdings was based on the companies' unimpressive returns. Some firms were also in dispute with the airport agency over concessions, he said.

After the shares from the firms were sold, AoT would still have shares in six other firms: Phuket Kitchen, Don Mueang International Amari Hotel, Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services, Trade Siam, Thai Aviation Refuelling and Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel.

Pic by Star Royalty

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^^

Aahh... glad to see that they have put up cushion pad over that god-awfull metal chair. It would certainly make the waiting area at the gate more pleasant.

I transited through BKK two years ago, and I remember that the gate lounge had a very dim lighting, and the hard metal chair was very cold. It was such an unpleasant experience.

pic by Ren


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This airport has just had an unfortunate fate hasn't it? You've got this beautiful structure being the primary gateway to Thailand, yet all this corruption, crappy building practices, etc have ruined its image. Hope the airport's future stays on a positive course.

However, its a gorgeous facility all in all.

Suvarnabhumi starts second terminal in 2012

THE NATION Published on August 29, 2009


Airports of Thailand plans to build a domestic passenger terminal at Suvarnabhumi Airport while inviting the private sector to invest in six projects at the old Don Mueang Airport.


Construction of the new terminal will start in 2012 for completion in 2015, to accommodate an additional 20 million passengers a year.


It will cost less than Bt10 billion, said AOT president Serirat Prasutanond. The project is part of a long-term investment programme that includes construction of a third runway and a midfield terminal.


However, the company will build the domestic terminal first. It will be connected to the present main terminal by a monorail.


Serirat said the company also planned to develop commercial areas on its land near the airport, in partnership with the private sector.


Regarding Don Mueang Airport, six projects will be offered to the private sector: a landing-gear maintenance centre, an aircraft-parts stock-management centre, small and medium-sized maintenance centres, an international free-trade zone, a flight-simulator centre and jet and air taxi terminals.


"All the projects will be funded by private firms, and some companies are being approached," said Serirat.


AOT also unveiled a five-year plan for the expansion of Phuket Airport starting from this year, involving construction of a new runway and expansion of the terminal and other facilities and services.


Speaking at a seminar yesterday entitled "The Path to Be a Regional Hub", organised by AOT, Serirat also said the agency would try to assure Suvarnabhumi Airport's status among the world's top 10 airports despite being affected by the forced closure late last year.

AoT ends Suvarnabhumi's pain in the rear

Bangkokpost Published: 1/09/2009 at 12:00 AM


Travellers at Suvarnabhumi Airport will no longer wait on uncomfortable seats, thanks to an upgrade that tackles one of passengers' most frequent complaints.


Upholstered seats will make Suvarnabhumi more passengerfriendly. AoT is spending 12.17 million baht to upholster the 18,466 grey metal seats in its 51 waiting lounges and 12 bus gates. It will also add 500 padded seats in other areas.

Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) is spending 12.17 million baht to upholster the 18,466 grey metal seats in its 51 waiting lounges and 12 bus gates with artificial leather and padding.

At the same time, the company will add 500 padded seats in other areas including the terminal's fourth-floor departure hall and third-floor hall.

Upholstered seats are one of the passenger-friendly features being rolled out at the airport as it strives to enter the top ten in the Geneva-based Airports Council International's (ACI) rating this year, said Nirandra Theeranartsin, general manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport.

AoT has already provided a free internet service at departure gates through 126 kiosks. By mid-September AoT also plans to have introduced a free WiFi service for passengers who have passed the immigration check areas.

In addition, AoT will introduce more free water dispensers throughout the terminal.

So far, about one-third of existing seating has been upholstered. By October this year all seats will have a new look, which will come in seven colours including pink and purple.

The 500 additional seats will be installed between September and December this year, Mr Nirandra, also AoT's senior executive vice-president, told the Bangkok Post.

AoT had earlier placed 1,400 padded seats with blue covers from Don Mueang Airport at Suvarnabhumi to address frequent complaints of insufficient seating at the new airport.

Suvarnabhumi moved from 40th position in ACI's 2007 rating to 28th in 2008 and then to 19th place this year.

Trolley deal fast-tracked

Bangkokpost Published: 4/09/2009 at 12:00 AM


The bidding terms for the supply of trolleys to Suvarnabhumi airport are expected to be finalised in two weeks, Airports of Thailand president Serirat Prasutanond says.

Approval for the terms of reference had been sought from the AoT board so the trolleys could be secured through a special method which would speed up the process.

The supplier should be selected and the trolleys will begin to enter service by no later than January, Mr Serirat said.

He said airport users had complained about the ageing, faulty trolleys at the airport.

He said about 3,200 trolleys were the focus of the complaints.

Mr Serirat said they were not working properly because they were brought in from other airports pending the supply of the new trolleys.

The trolleys were obtained from Don Mueang airport and some regional airports after the AoT tore up its agreement with Thai Airport Ground Services following a contractual dispute.

pic by Tornado

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Suvarnabhumi Airport Link sets soft launch for December 5


BANGKOK, Sept 5 (TNA) -- The long-delayed Airport Rail Link project, providing direct rail service to and from Suvarnabhumi Airport, will start providing free service to the public from this December 5 which coincides with the birthday celebrations of His Majesty the King, said State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Governor Yuthana Tupcharoen.

People interested in free rides on December 5 may apply for tickets beginning October 1 at either the Airport Rail Link office or at SRT headquarters, Mr. Yuthana said.

Test runs of the system have been conducted since February by Siemens, the manufacturer and installer of the rail system, and no problems have been found. However, independent engineers will inspect the safety system for the next three months and if no problems are found, the system will be ready for operation.

The SRT board has also hired Deutsche Bahn International of Germany for Bt85 million to train Airport Rail Link staff. The board exports to launch the system on December 5, Mr Yuttana added.

The 28-km rail link connects Suvarnabhumi International Airport in adjacent Samut Prakan province and the City Air Terminal in Bangkok’s Makkasan area.

The Airport Rail Link is owned and will be operated by SRT, through a subsidiary company, which will administer the overall operations.

According to a preliminary study, the fare for an express trip will be Bt150 per person, while fares for the City Line commuter trips, will vary from Bt30-50 per passenger.

Transport for airport express riders and local commuters will run on the same track with the same equipment, but with a staggered schedule.

Premium-fare express services will run on the hour between Suvarnabhumi Airport and City Air Terminal, while the City Line service will stop at six local stations along the route. (TNA)

Centralised security screening implemented at Suvarnabhumi Airport


BANGKOK, Sept 6 (TNA) -- In an attempt to facilitate outbound passengers and enable flights to leave on schedule, officials at Suvarnabhumi Airport will implement a centralised security screening system starting at1 am Monday, said Airports of Thailand president Serirat Prasutanond.

The airport has already implemented the system in the west wing of the airport since 1 am Sunday, Mr Serirat said.

Outbound passengers gave full cooperation in baggage checking, although there are still some glitches remaining, including a lack of signage advising passengers and an adjusted path for passengers using wheelchairs.

Effective 1am Monday, an overall centralised security screening system will be implemented, he said.

Passengers are advised to keep sharp objects such as knives, scissors, cutting tools as well as liquids in their baggage for check-in. Not over 10 liquid items may be placed in a clear ziplock bag for hand-carrying. Each passenger is allowed to carry only one ziplock bag. (TNA)

Airport security speedier but still safe

Bangkokpost Published: 9/09/2009 at 12:00 AM


Passing through security screening at Suvarnabhumi Airport will become speedier and more convenient while overall safety will improve under a new system, according to Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT).

The centralised security screening (CSS) system introduced on Monday is expected to expedite the passenger flow by four to five times compared with the previous arrangement.
The centralised security screening (CSS) system introduced on Monday is expected to expedite the passenger flow by four to five times compared with the previous arrangement.

The concept envisages clustering various checkpoints situated in several sites into one station with many security lanes, X-ray machines, metal detectors and bomb-detection equipment right after the passport control.

The CSS has halved the number of passenger security screening points to six - three at departure halls, two at international transit areas and one at the domestic-international transit point. It replaces the old system of checkpoints located at 12 concourses that were situated after the duty-free areas and near the boarding gates.

Suvarnabhumi airport general manager Nirandra Theeranartsin said the CSS would help passengers to better manage their time before boarding, instead of being subject to uncertainties as to how long screening would take.

"Having passed through the immigration and security first, passengers would have peace of mind and know how much time they can spend before entering the boarding gate," he said.

The system will also help reduce flight delays resulting from unexpectedly long queues at passenger security screening points because passengers may spend too much time at the duty-free area, he added.

The airport's two busiest CSS stations on the departure halls on the fourth floor of the terminal - west and east - each have six X-ray machines and metal detector arches. Each X-ray machine is manned by six inspectors.

The two main CSS stations can handle 2,000 passengers per hour.

However, passengers of some airlines are still subject to secondary screening before entering the boarding gates in compliance with the carriers' own security standards. They include El Al Israel Airlines, United Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Qantas Airways, British Airways, Kuwait Airways and Indian carriers.

AoT has spent 10 million baht on the CSS stations including the installation of new surveillance cameras.

The basic security protocols including restrictions on the amount of liquids, gels and aerosol containers a passenger can carry in hand baggage remain unchanged.

Also unchanged are requirements for passengers to put their coats, jackets, belts, mobile phones, watches and metals through X-ray machines.

But passengers may be asked to take their shoes off to be scanned by X-ray machines, an added security step that was put in place as part of the introduction of CSS.

Taxi rank relocated in bid to weed out illegal cabbies

Bangkokpost Published: 10/09/2009


The subcommittee dealing with illegal taxis and tour guides at Suvarnabhumi airport has agreed to relocate a taxi rank from the second to first floor.

Chairat Sa-nguanchue, director-general of the Land Transport Department, yesterday said licensed taxis with yellow licence plates would be allowed to pick up fares on the first floor in front of the airport's arrivals terminal from Oct 1.

Mr Chairat said there was ample room on the first floor which made it easier to manage the traffic flow and keep a check on illegal taxis.

''The relocation of the taxi rank is aimed at stamping out the illegal taxi operators and tour guides plying their trade on the first floor,'' he said.

Mr Chairat chairs the subcommittee dealing with illegal tour guides and taxi operators.

The second floor has limited space and is dedicated to limousine services provided by Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT).

A fast-track lane would be set up for passengers carrying luggage so they did not need to take escalators and lifts, Mr Chairat said.

The subcommittee also agreed to appoint a legal team headed by Samut Prakan provincial prosecutors to take action against illegal tour guides and taxi operators caught committing repeat offences.

A source at the AoT said talks would be held tomorrow with taxi operators to develop a clear understanding of the planned changes.

Pic by Mosaic


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pic by Mosaic


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Bangkok airport embarks on image makeover
By JOCELYN GECKER (AP)

BANGKOK — Baggage handlers at Thailand's main airport now wear uniforms with pockets sewn shut to prevent pilfering. Police are hauling away illegal taxi touts. And cushions are being added to metal seats at departure gates derided as a "pain in the rear."
An overhaul is under way at Bangkok's $3.8 billion Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is virtually brand new but trying to put a scandal-plagued past behind and become one of the world's top 10 airports — a goal senior officials concede might be a long shot for this year.
The campaign is partly aimed at addressing passenger complaints logged since Suvarnabhumi opened in 2006.
Free Wi-Fi will be in place by the end of the month and 126 Internet terminals have been installed for travelers without laptops, according to Airports of Thailand, the airport's operator. Other upgrades include more restrooms, improved signs and the upholstery of all 19,000 cold metallic seats with turquoise, peach, green and purple cushions that brighten Suvarnabhumi's concrete-and-steel design, panned by some critics as too monotone.
More than cosmetic, the cleanup has become a matter of national pride. It comes amid a rash of bad publicity that prompted the prime minister to tour the airport's trouble spots last month — from its luggage-sorting underbelly up through duty-free shops and out to the arrival hall.
"We must have high and strict standards," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said during his Aug. 15 visit, prompted by highly publicized claims by European tourists that they were falsely accused of shoplifting at duty-free stores and then taken to seedy motels and extorted by a police interpreter.
On Abhisit's orders, tourists accused of stealing will now be handled "transparently so there are no complaints," said Ayuth Sucantharuna, a spokesman for Airports of Thailand, or AOT. They will be interrogated at the airport, rather than transferred to an outside police station, and interviews will be videotaped.
Scams against tourists are the subject of a new British documentary series called "Big Trouble in Tourist Thailand." The program, which aired its first of eight episodes last week on British television, "explores the ugly side of tourism in Thailand" — like getting ripped off by a gun-wielding jet-ski operator and landing in jail after partying at a drugged-out, all-night beach rave.
The show is sure to hit a sore spot in Thailand, where the tourism industry has barely recovered from last year's public relations disaster at Suvarnabhumi — the main gateway to the country — when anti-government protesters shut the airport for a week and stranded 300,000 travelers.
Abhisit set a realistic target while discussing Suvarnabhumi on his weekly TV broadcast recently: "I think the problems can be significantly reduced — but to get rid of them all together will be difficult."
Take the case of taxi touts with "broken meters," which Nirandra Theeranartsin, the airport's general manager, calls "a monumental problem" that started 40 years ago at Bangkok's previous international airport.
Part of the problem appears to be that senior AOT officials were sanctioning the touts in exchange for kickbacks, Nirandra said, adding "it's hard to prove" but several high-ranking officials are nonetheless being transferred.
So far, a six-week crackdown on illegal touts and unauthorized tour guides at Suvarnabhumi has resulted in more than 1,200 arrests — a misleading number since several are repeat offenders, AOT and police officials say.
Touts are charged with creating a public nuisance, which carries a maximum 1,000 baht ($30) fine and is too weak a deterrent, authorities say. Fifty new security cameras are now being installed in the arrival zone to get proof of trespassing and other offenses that carry stiffer penalties.
Another 327 new security cameras are going up in the luggage-sorting zone, where a "no pocket" rule took effect Sept. 1.
After Abhisit's visit, baggage handlers were ordered to turn in their uniforms and all pockets were stripped off or sewn shut, Nirandra said.
"They walk in with the clothes on their back — without pockets — and no mobile phones, no wallets, nothing. Not even a pen," said Nirandra. "And they come back out the same way."
The crackdown has been a regular topic of letters to the editor and editorials that urge authorities not to relent, predicting touts will return once arrests stop. The Bangkok Post newspaper applauded the new cushioned seats with the headline, "AOT ends Suvarnabhumi's Pain in the Rear."
The upgrades and new security measures are costing upward of 150 million baht ($4.4 million), which the airport hopes will pay off with a top-10 ranking in the Geneva-based Airports Council International's annual list, based on passenger surveys of 120 airports. Suvarnabhumi is ranked 28th, a point of contention since regional rivals Seoul, Singapore and Hong Kong hold the top three spots.
"It's about pride of the Thai people," Nirandra said. "I don't know if we can reach the top 10 yet. But we're trying. If not this year, maybe next year."


http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gnTsYGfgYn3FlTthxlpDdrBfSReQD9AMHAPG3

pic by Mosaic

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stunning infrastructure

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if AOT still charge for all things in the airport <good that they not charge us for toilet use> eg, wifi, high price food...become top10 airport esp. compete with SIN, KUL, ICN or HKG is impossible...

Suvarnabhumi Airport tightens security after baggage theft problem


BANGKOK, Sept 23 (TNA) – Responding to passenger complaints about baggage losses and scams in which travellers are falsely accused of shoplifting, Suvarnabhumi Airport Wednesday acted to tighten its management of service providers at the country’s showcase, port of entry.

Airport authorities notified a baggage handling service provider that it must tighten measures to screen the criminal records of their employees, or lose the Suvarnabhumi contract.

Following a baggage theft incident resulting in the arrest of seven employees of Bangkok Flight Services (BFS) and airline security guards, Suvarnabhumi Airport vice president Duangchai Condee confirmed that outsourced employees had been properly screened for possible criminal backgrounds.

When such a crime occurred, those who participated in theft would be blacklisted and no longer allowed to work at the airport.

Two companies now provide baggage handling services at Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok Flight Services (BFS) and Thai Airways International (THAI).

Revised policies to resolve malpractice challenges at the airport and to restore confidence among foreign tourists have been implemented, including installing more surveillance cameras, and requiring baggage handlers to wear uniforms without pockets.

Ms Duangchai said that since the airport opened in 2006, about 99 per cent of the complaints, such as travellers being falsely-accused of shoplifting at duty-free shops, unlicensed taxis and baggage theft, have been satisfactorily solved. Services and security measures have been improved for the comfort and safety of passengers.

Suvarnabhumi airport is striving to become one of the world’s top ten airports. It is now developing its information and technology (IT) system by setting up a free wireless internet system for passengers’ convenience in the airport premises, like other leading international airports.

In order to build good relations between Suvarnabhumi airport and local residents, a Suvarnabhumi Fair 2009 was held on Wednesday at the airport’s parking area, where locals set up over 100 booth stalls for selling food and miscellaneous goods. (TNA)

Pic by Mosaic

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World-class status continues to elude airport

Bangkokpost Published: 28/09/2009 at 12:00 AM


Suvarnabhumi airport is plagued by problems three years after it opened, making a mockery of claims it could soon be one of the world's top 10 airports.

The airport, which opened commercially on Sept 28, 2006, ran into problems even before construction began.

Successive governments flip-flopped on where the airport would go before a location was finally agreed upon: a 215,000-rai area in Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan. The construction cost was set at 120 billion baht.

In its first few days, Bangkok residents flocked to see the world's largest single terminal airport.

However, the bustling atmosphere soon gave way to chaos as the ticketing system and luggage-checking equipment malfunctioned.

As problems mounted at Suvarnabhumi, many passengers wished the ageing Don Mueang airport, which it replaced, was still in action.

The number of toilets was inadequate to serve the number of passengers. Direction signs were unclear, causing confusion. Up to 400 holes in the roof had to be plugged against leaks.

The most serious problem was probably the small cracks which opened on taxiways and parts of some runways.

Worries over safety forced the then Surayud Chulanont government to tell budget airlines to return temporarily to Don Mueang airport to reduce congestion at the new airport and clear the way for repairs.

Airports of Thailand president Serirat Prasutanond insists on the safety of the taxiways and runways, arguing the cracks occurred only at the surface level.

The whole structure was strong and met acceptable standards required to serve more than 800 flights a day, he said.

In fact, what disturbs Mr Serirat and AoT executives more often are complaints from passengers about services inside the terminal. Passengers have complained to the AoT that their belongings have been stolen.

AoT board chairman Piyapan Champasut asked police to crack down on the thieves.

A gang backed by airport security officials was arrested as a result.

However, despite more frequent patrols by the police, the AoT has failed to weed out the illegal taxis and tour guides. For three years, their numbers have grown, with up to 40 gangs at one point colluding with airport staff to cheat passengers.

The AoT has transferred the staff responsible for supervising taxi and tourism services at the airport, which has provided a partial solution.

Mr Serirat said the AoT had done its best to tackle the problems at the airport. He was still confident Suvarnabhumi could reach its goal of becoming one of the world's best airports.

"Today we can say the Suvarnabhumi airport is in the heart of tourists worldwide," he said.

He hopes the airport can make it on to the top 10 list in another one or two years starting from today, its third anniversary.

The 10 best airports as rated by Skytrax this year are Incheon in South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Zurich, Munich, Kansai in Japan, Kuala Lumpur, Amsterdam, Nagoya and Auckland.

Skytrax, which reviews airports and airlines, gave Suvarnabhumi three out of five stars, according to its website.

Strange hey, I landed & took off from here 3 times with out a gltich

AoT to spend Bt800 billion to upgrade Suvarnbhumi Airport


BANGKOK, Sept 28 (TNA) - The Airports of Thailand (AoT) will continue to improve and expand the country’s showcase Suvarnabhumi Airport with a new budget of 800 billion baht (US$23 million), AoT president Serirat Prasutanond said on the third anniversary of the airport’s opening.

A Buddhist religious ceremony was conducted at the airport on Monday to celebrate the event.

AoT will proceed with long-standing plans to increase the airport’s capacity by investing in construction of a new domestic terminal to accommodate 20 million additional passengers, a midfield concourse and a third runway.

Expanding Suvarnabhumi's capacity to 80 million passengers from 45 million at present is expected to be completed in 2015 or 2016, said Mr Serirat.

A budget of 80 billion baht has been planned for the project, with about half coming from AoT’s investment budget while the other half will be sought through foreign loans or by bond issues, he said.

In the first eleven months of Fiscal Year 2009 which ends September 30, Suvarnabhumi registered 33.87 million passengers and 221,326 flights, and 901,454 tonnes of cargo, said Suvarnabhumi Airport director Niran Thiranartsin.

The global economic downturn, domestic political problems and an outbreak of Influenza Type A (H1N1) contributed to drops in flights by 6.74 per cent, passenger numbers by 12.21 per cent and cargo by 24.38 per cent, compared to the same period in the previous year.

Mr Niran also said the airport will continue improving its service to become one of the world’s top ten airports, a goal which the facility has not achieved.

The airport has dealt with varied problems during the past three years and recently cracked down on illegal taxis and tour guides, with unlicensed 1,196 taxi drivers and 535 tour guides being arrested by September 25.

An additional 327 surveillance cameras were installed and more security guards were recruited for around the clock duty to prevent baggage theft, he added. (TNA)

pic by shyaman

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รันเวย์ที่5ครับ ภาพจากไฟล PDF ที่พี่ sf_alpha มาลงไว้

ผมคิดว่าระหว่างรันเวย์ 4 กับ 5 น่าจะมีอาคาร 3 อาคาร 4เนื้อที่ไม่มากเท่าไร แล้วดูเหมือนเข้าออกแบบไว้แล้วคิดว่าคงจะใช้ถนนเส้นที่เข้าคลังน้ำมันในตอนนี้ เป็นทางเข้าอาคาร หรือ อาจจะไม่มีอาคาร3 อาคาร 4มีแต่ อาคารเทียบเครื่องบินอยู่ตรงนั้น

สองภาพนี้ผมลองวาดเล่นๆดูครับ

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คิิดไปคิดมาก่อนตายได้เห็นอาคาร2ก็ตายตาหลับแล้ว คงไม่ทันได้เห็นรันเวย์ 5 อาคาร 3 อาคาร 4
..

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this airport is soo monumental to thailand's economy, why is it consistently plagued with problem after problem! i think it would make more profit being the rice paddies it once was from its annual harvest versus its current operations!!

AoT to spend Bt800 billion to upgrade Suvarnbhumi Airport


BANGKOK, Sept 28 (TNA) - The Airports of Thailand (AoT) will continue to improve and expand the country’s showcase Suvarnabhumi Airport with a new budget of 800 billion baht (US$23 million), AoT president Serirat Prasutanond said on the third anniversary of the airport’s opening.

A Buddhist religious ceremony was conducted at the airport on Monday to celebrate the event similar to Girona Airport (http://www.barcelonagirona.com)

AoT will proceed with long-standing plans to increase the airport’s capacity by investing in construction of a new domestic terminal to accommodate 20 million additional passengers, a midfield concourse and a third runway.

Expanding Suvarnabhumi's capacity to 80 million passengers from 45 million at present is expected to be completed in 2015 or 2016, said Mr Serirat.

A budget of 80 billion baht has been planned for the project, with about half coming from AoT’s investment budget while the other half will be sought through foreign loans or by bond issues, he said.

In the first eleven months of Fiscal Year 2009 which ends September 30, Suvarnabhumi registered 33.87 million passengers and 221,326 flights, and 901,454 tonnes of cargo, said Suvarnabhumi Airport director Niran Thiranartsin.

The global economic downturn, domestic political problems and an outbreak of Influenza Type A (H1N1) contributed to drops in flights by 6.74 per cent, passenger numbers by 12.21 per cent and cargo by 24.38 per cent, compared to the same period in the previous year.

Mr Niran also said the airport will continue improving its service to become one of the world’s top ten airports, a goal which the facility has not achieved.

The airport has dealt with varied problems during the past three years and recently cracked down on illegal taxis and tour guides, with unlicensed 1,196 taxi drivers and 535 tour guides being arrested by September 25.

An additional 327 surveillance cameras were installed and more security guards were recruited for around the clock duty to prevent baggage theft, he added. (TNA)

I think instead of developing the airport in steps they should launch the project at once so that the pesenger feel less discomforts

^^

Working on improvements passengers comforts is ongoing (It's about administration problems more than airport infrastructure).

But while passengers/flights volume increasing every year, airport expansion is needed very real soon. This year passengers traffic is about 40M while current phase designed for 45M/yr capacity.

OMG! BKK will be huuuge!

pic by Mosaic

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from Flickr

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Flickr

by Rock Portrait Photography Sep 09

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by me, beginning of October

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/1363/immagine014wi.jpg (http://img193.imageshack.us/i/immagine014wi.jpg/)

C4 ! the gate I had to use a week ago when I was leaving BKK :cheers:

BKK is a wonderful airport. I was amazed and felt pity for all the big european airports when I saw what is possible.

Flickr by sccart

Oct 09

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by Kojach
Oct 09
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by webpong
Sep 09
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And the worst airport in the world is

The Telegraph, London CHARLES STARMER-SMITH October 23, 2009


London's Heathrow has again been named the worst airport in the world. Photo: Getty Images

Heathrow airport has again been voted the worst airport in the world, according to a global poll of airline passengers.

The survey of members of Priority Pass, the world's leading independent airport lounge programme, included responses from 160 countries. The respondents to the annual survey have taken, on average, 17 flights in the past year.

It is a repeat of last year's result when Heathrow was still recovering from the ill-fated opening of Terminal 5, which saw passengers suffer lengthy flight delays and large numbers of lost bags.

The survey of members of Priority Pass has named Singapore's Changi Airport as the favourite. Photo: AFP

The airport recently reported that the punctuality of its flights had improved markedly this summer – up by 14 per cent between April and June on the same period last year, according to statistics released by the Civil Aviation Authority. The average delay also fell – dropping from 18 minutes to ten minutes.

“We are working very hard to make every passenger's journey to or from better than the last one, and these figures demonstrate the we are making good progress,” said the airport's chief operating office Mike Brown.

“However, the challenge is continuously to raise standards and through our long-term investment strategy, which sees £1 billion spent on facilities and services every year, we are rebuilding an airport of which the UK can be rightly proud.”

Charles de Gaulle airport, in Paris, was voted second worst, followed by Los Angeles, Frankfurt International and Miami International.

Singapore Changi, a perennial favourite, finished top, followed closely by Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok. Amsterdam Schiphol was the pick of Europe's airports. Ironically, Heathrow also rated highly among the favourite airports, coming in at number five.

While no Australian airports made the top 10, a majority of Australian travellers said their airport experience had improved this year compared with last year. Sydney Airport was the highest ranked for Australia at number 43.


“The travellers who took part in this survey took almost 250,000 flights between them over the last year, and that means they know a thing or two about airports,” said Jonathan French, Head of Brand for Priority Pass. “Sadly, Heathrow remains firmly entrenched as the airport the world loves to hate.”

A recent poll by London's Telegraph found that 80 per cent of those that have used Heathrow's Terminal 5 said they enjoyed the experience, however passengers still regularly complain about the service at the other four terminals.

Top 10 favourite airports

1. Singapore Changi

2. Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok Intl

3. Amsterdam Schiphol

4. Dubai World Central Intl

5. London Heathrow

6. Copenhagen

7. Zurich

8. Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Intl

9. Seoul Incheon International

10. Frankfurt International


Worst airports

1. London Heathrow

2. Paris CDG

3. Los Angeles - LAX Intl

4. Frankfurt International

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Source: Jonas
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnas/sets/72157604894640006/

I do not think that a fifth and sixth runway or a third terminal is going to be built at Suvarnabhumi in the distant future. Two main terminal buildings, two satellite terminals, and four runways is all it can take.

pic by shrekroma

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http://www.suvarnabhumiairport.com/


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Wonderful pics as always...:drool:

'Demons' to be relocated at airport

Bangkokpost Published: 10/11/2009 at 12:00 AM


Twelve "demon statues" at Suvarnabhumi airport believed to have brought bad luck to shopkeepers will be moved at a cost of one million baht.

The guardian spirit statues will be shifted from the inner zone of the passenger terminal to the check-in area to "improve morale" of people working at the airport.

Airports of Thailand Plc conducted a religious ceremony for the relocation of 12 yaksa in the passenger terminal last night.

Suvarnabhumi director Niran Thiranartsin said the sculptures were modelled on 12 statues at the Grand Palace.

They are regarded as exceptional works of art and are collectively worth 30 million baht but visitors rarely notice them in the inner passenger area of the terminal because the statues are placed in less visible corners and air passengers rushing to claim baggage or going to departure gates do not see them.

Mr Niran said the six-metre-tall statues will be more visible if they stand in the outer part of the passenger terminal where there are check-in rows.

Mr Niran admitted the decision to relocate the figures from the inner part of the passenger terminal had partly resulted from complaints from staff working in the inner zone which has many shops.


The shopkeepers are blaming the "demon statues" for the problems they have faced at the airport, which was seized late last year by demonstrators and supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy.

An AoT source said the airport had planned to move the statues to stand guard at the gates of the terminal but a Brahmin had warned the statues should not be placed there because they were the models of those at the Grand Palace and represented highly ranked demons.

The AoT decided to move the statues to face a showcase of the Buddha's relics at Gate 5 on the fourth floor.

The relocation of the statues is set between 1am and 5am every night to minimise impact on passenger traffic.


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^^ Have pictures of old locations? :D ( and possibly new ones soon? )

June 31,2009 night

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IATA wants single airport for Bangkok

By THE NATION Published on November 14, 2009


The International Air Transport Association is urging the government to operate a single airport for Bangkok and suggests officials build a domestic terminal at Suvarnabhumi.

IATA director-general and chief executive Giovanni Bisignani on November 2 delivered a letter to Transport Minister Sophon Saram advocating a single airport for the capital.


It said a one-airport policy was best for passengers, airlines and the local economy.


"IATA asked that the government reconsider its proposal to operate two commercial airports in Bangkok. The old Don Mueang Airport should be used for general aviation and non-scheduled traffic," Bisignani said yesterday.


The government recently announced it would operate two airports for Bangkok: three-year-old Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang Airport.


Bisignani said Bangkok served as the gateway to Thailand and was a critical transit hub for international and domestic travellers, so it should have all operations in one location.


"Splitting airline operations between two airports will no doubt result in increased passenger inconvenience for travellers flying into one airport and out of the other. Also, two airports will result in a duplication of investment - in airlines, airports and Aerothai [Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, which manages air-traffic control] resources - leading to increased costs for airline and passengers. Both of these factors will have a detrimental effect on the sustainable viability of airline operations in Thailand," he said.


IATA is also aware Suvarnabhumi Airport is operating close to its stated capacity of 45 million passengers.


Rather than diverting resources to Don Mueang, all efforts should be made to optimise and expand Suvarnabhumi's capacity instead, Bisignani said.


"In this regard, IATA urges the government to initiate a new domestic terminal with a capacity of 65 million passengers by 2013. In the interim, all stakeholders need to work together to enhance and ensure initialisation of current facilities," he said.


Bisignani said the present slowdown in aviation traffic provided an added incentive and a window of opportunity for this effort.


The letter said the World Travel and Tourism Council reported travel and tourism last year contributed US$38 billion (Bt1.27 trillion) to gross domestic product and provided 4 million jobs in Thailand.


It said the government should try to maintain its regional leadership in the industry by persuading airlines to remain.


IATA, along with the local Board of Airline Representatives and the Airline Operators Committee of Bangkok, is ready to work with the government in this matter, Bisignani said.

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http://www.thairath.co.th/media/content/2009/10/24/41961_20_2.jpg

wow very very impressive pictures!:cheers:

Emirates ups Thai flights

BANGKOK POST Published: 19/11/2009


Emirates Airlines, the Middle East's largest carrier, will introduce a fourth daily service to Bangkok next month.

An Emirates A380 superjumbo is unloaded at Suvarnabhumi Airport, where the airline is adding more capacity on its Bangkok route.
The additional daily flight to Bangkok, which is part of the carrier's two-month Asia-Pacific expansion plan to tap peak travel demand, will begin on Dec 2.

With the fourth flight, the Dubai-based airline will offer the largest capacity between Thailand and the Middle East.

Emirates is already using four high-capacity wide-bodied jets on the route, including the A380 superjumbo that can carry 488 passengers.

The additional flights would support Thailand's economic recovery by increasing tourist arrivals from Dubai and the Middle East, said Richard Jewsbury, senior vice-president for commercial operations for the Far East and Australasia.

The extension of visa fee exemptions for Thailand until March 2010 is expected to generate more tourist traffic, he said.

Cargo will also receive a push, said Mr Jewsbury.

Thai exporters of electronic parts, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and perishables, and importers of automotive and machine parts, medical equipment, chemicals and chilled foods stand to benefit from the additional 161 tonnes of capacity per week per direction on the route, he said.

Emirates insiders said the airline hoped to sustain the fourth Bangkok flight, at least until the end of the current air traffic programme that ends in March.

The airline is also expanding its footprint in Asia-Pacific with a third daily service to Sydney, two additional flights to Manila and one to Jakarta.

A total of 17 flights per week will be added over the four cities, including Bangkok, between December and January, representing a 13% growth in seat capacity. The number of flights throughout the Asia Pacific will increase to 187 flights per week.

The airline more than doubled its profit for the six months through Sept 30 to US$204.9 million, from $77.4 million in the same period a year earlier.[/QUOTE]

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/7996/86262.jpg (http://img194.imageshack.us/i/86262.jpg/)

An Emirates A380 superjumbo is unloaded at Suvarnabhumi Airport,
where the airline is adding more capacity on its Bangkok route.

Airport traffic resumes gradually Suvarnabhumi back to normal in 5 months

Bangkokpost Published: 19/11/2009 at 12:00 AM


Passenger traffic and aircraft movements through Suvarnabhumi Airport look set to resume a normal growth pattern over the next five months, thanks largely to the end of recession and improvements in Thailand's political scene.

Airlines have booked 125,000 flights through the country's main airport between the end of October and March next year - the aviation industry's winter season - representing a year-on-year increase of 8.52%.

Passengers passing through the three-year-old airport in the period are expected to surge by 11.04% to 19.78 million, according to Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT).

The rise in domestic flights and passenger numbers is projected to significantly outpace the increase in international traffic, although domestic figures are lower than international ones.

International takeoffs and landings are forecast to rise by 3.35% to 90,000, while domestic flights look set to leap 24.56% to 35,000.

A total of 14.91 million international passengers - an increase of 6% - are expected to go through Suvarnabhumi during the winter season, while domestic passenger traffic is expected to grow by 30% to 4.86 million.

Most international passengers will be from East Asia, accounting for 53.33% of the total.

Five more carriers are starting to operate through Suvarnabhumi this winter, raising the number of airlines to 94 from 89 in the summer season.The airport bookings indicate a return to normal for air traffic, which was hit by the seizure of Bangkok's two airports - Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang - toward the end of 2008, as well as by political unrest, the global downturn and the H1N1 flu scare.

International travellers seem to be getting over their nightmarish memory of being stranded between Nov 25 and Dec 4 last year to come back to Thailand during the holiday season, said an industry observer.

In fact, signs of recovery in air traffic through Suvarnabhumi became clear in September with a robust 22.41% rise in passenger numbers to 3.17 million, while combined flight movements rose by 9.74% to 20,636.

September brought the second consecutive monthly recovery in flight traffic figures and volumes began recovering from the contractions of the first seven months of this year.

But the first nine months of this year saw passengers, at 29.09 million, still down 5.08% year-on-year, while aircraft movements slipped by 1.97% to 187,073.

Analysts said the speed of the global recovery and Thailand's ability to improve its image, especially in the eyes of tourists, would determine whether traffic through Suvarnabhumi in 2009 would match 2008's 38.6 million passengers and 245,719 flight movements.

IATA wants single airport for Bangkok

By THE NATION Published on November 14, 2009


The International Air Transport Association is urging the government to operate a single airport for Bangkok and suggests officials build a domestic terminal at Suvarnabhumi.

IATA director-general and chief executive Giovanni Bisignani on November 2 delivered a letter to Transport Minister Sophon Saram advocating a single airport for the capital.


It said a one-airport policy was best for passengers, airlines and the local economy.


"IATA asked that the government reconsider its proposal to operate two commercial airports in Bangkok. The old Don Mueang Airport should be used for general aviation and non-scheduled traffic," Bisignani said yesterday.


The government recently announced it would operate two airports for Bangkok: three-year-old Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang Airport.


Bisignani said Bangkok served as the gateway to Thailand and was a critical transit hub for international and domestic travellers, so it should have all operations in one location.


"Splitting airline operations between two airports will no doubt result in increased passenger inconvenience for travellers flying into one airport and out of the other. Also, two airports will result in a duplication of investment - in airlines, airports and Aerothai [Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, which manages air-traffic control] resources - leading to increased costs for airline and passengers. Both of these factors will have a detrimental effect on the sustainable viability of airline operations in Thailand," he said.


IATA is also aware Suvarnabhumi Airport is operating close to its stated capacity of 45 million passengers.


Rather than diverting resources to Don Mueang, all efforts should be made to optimise and expand Suvarnabhumi's capacity instead, Bisignani said.


"In this regard, IATA urges the government to initiate a new domestic terminal with a capacity of 65 million passengers by 2013. In the interim, all stakeholders need to work together to enhance and ensure initialisation of current facilities," he said.


Bisignani said the present slowdown in aviation traffic provided an added incentive and a window of opportunity for this effort.


The letter said the World Travel and Tourism Council reported travel and tourism last year contributed US$38 billion (Bt1.27 trillion) to gross domestic product and provided 4 million jobs in Thailand.


It said the government should try to maintain its regional leadership in the industry by persuading airlines to remain.


IATA, along with the local Board of Airline Representatives and the Airline Operators Committee of Bangkok, is ready to work with the government in this matter, Bisignani said.

And pray tell, New York gets three and London how many?

pic by Mosaic


http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/mosaic_tu/Airport/L1150285.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/mosaic_tu/Airport/L1150287.jpg

Occasional throne for the King and Queen?

Flickr Sep 09 - Oct 09

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awesome

http://www.thairath.co.th/media/content/2009/11/02/630/43867.jpg

pic by ChAiNaRaI

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สุวรรณภูมิเหมือนจะสร้างไม่เสร็จ สังเกตได้จาก เสาปูนเเต่ละต้นเเละเพดานคานที่ยังเห็นปูนอยู่น่าจะมีอะไรปกปิดหน่อยก็ดีเพราะมันดูไม่สวยเลย
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2734/4021758871_c4382e8be9_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2780/4016274059_30d0cab760_o.jpg

อันนี้เห็นท่อเลย http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2631/4017035036_7034fc594d_o.jpg
อันนี้ยิ่งไม่น่าดูเลย http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2649/4016271099_9ecb20bc25_o.jpg
สังเกตที่เสาเเละคานปูนที่ไม่มีอะไรมาปิดเลยเปิดไว้ทำให้ดูไม่สะอาดตาเลยใครก็ได้ร้องเรียนให้ปรับปรุงหน่อยเถอะ

pic by ChAiNaRai

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/6042/dsc4235o.jpg

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นั่งร้านกับเทอมิเนิล เหอะ ช่างเข้ากันจริงๆ:ohno:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2625/4082996319_6a25a3f487_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/geoff_b/4082996319/sizes/l/

pic by ChAiNaRaI

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pic by maracus

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Thanks for the pictures. Like the new terminal.

Moved to here.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=47385779

:uh:

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