Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport

Arrived at Suvarnabhumi on Friday 19 April from Amsterdam at 06.40 am deplaned walked 350 metres to immigration control picked up my baggage and exited the airport at 07.10. Very Good experience this time just hope they can keep it up.

We recently travelled through Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport to and from Melbourne. I was very impressed with the standard of the airport. Moving through customs and baggage collection was very easy and efficient. The staff at the airport were helpful and information available made movement round the airport and connecting flights simple and easy.

Different experience depending on the time of arrival and departure. Upon arrival on Friday afternoon the queues for immigration were very long and many of the desks closed. Took around half an hour to get through which after a long 11 hour flight is poor. Going out on Saturday early morning it took over an hour and a half to check in go through security and then immigration. Once through we had to run to the gate to ensure we made our flight. The shops were empty - presumably because everybody was late for their flights! Coming back in was terrible - 45 minutes to clear immigration again hardly any desks open. Finally Saturday mid- morning leaving was bearable. Security less busy and actually friendly immigration with most desks open - such a contrast. I would hate to be an elderly person going through this airport. It must be so stressful.

It's an ok airport nothing fancy (except for the terminal buildings). Security slightly tight but that's ok since it was understandable. One thing I liked was that the airport made a prayer room for us Muslims to pray in. I would like to visit this airport again.

I was pre-warned about the length of time taken at immigration but at midday Sat 23rd Feb. it was an absolute breeze from entering the airport to arriving at the departure lounge less than 25 minutes. I wish every airport was as efficient.

I transited through the Suvarnabhumi airport on my Sydney - MAA leg and during the return leg. Though the airport is modern and has the requisite facilities it gives an impression of being an unfinished article. For some strange reason when my flight from Sydney landed in BKK they used the bus to transport the passengers to the terminal. Though the staff are friendly they barely speak English which is surprising given the tourist arrivals in Thailand. I had to ask 5 different people before I could locate a place to charge my phone and laptop.

Modern airport easy to get to and from. The airport is easy to use and get about. Its cool and airy the toilets were always cleaned. The arrivals taxi rank is well administered with Taxi drivers under a constant watchful eye. Food is high quality and cheap. And a good duty free on the exit route home. Emigration/passport control (arrivals and departures) had two queue. Staff were quick to use all lines when it got busy. I was slightly worried to see poor line discipline at the metal detectors where the one lady with a hand held paddle seemed to be overwhelmed. But a good experience.

I had the pleasure of using the business class facilities here just a few days ago. I have noticed that Suvarnabhumi now makes arriving passengers disembark to the runway and get on a bus which then takes them to directly underneath immigration. I am not sure why this is but it happened twice on this trip (arriving from Melbourne and arriving back from Mumbai). I understand the distances in Suvarnabhumi are quite large between gates and immigration but this strikes me as overkill. Anyway without the long distances at arrival the journey through was comfortable on both arrivals. From plane to luggage belt in 30 minutes. I don't expect courtesies from immigration so never surprised if they are rude. And then quickly over to Novotel pickups and to the airport. I arrived at about 5am both times which appears quieter and the airport handles the queues quite well. Business class departures are very pleasant with a separate check-in section separate baggage screen and separate immigration then the lounge right ahead. The lounge was very good compared to Melbourne's Air New Zealand lounge and good range of foods and drinks. Of course still have to walk to the gate and with Suvarnabhumi that was the opposite end of the massive airport (business class lounge is near A/B/C wing I was departing both times at E wing. No travelators to help here. Just long walks. Couldn't find a trolley either so the walk was long. Finally to the other smaller business class lounge and then onto the plane. All up a very nice feeling and travel. I know economy is not so convenient but somethings are the same (such as the very long walks).

This airport is not bad but there are still many design mistakes. Not enough space for security checks hence they have to take the floor space near the elevator to do it. We came with a big aircraft (A330) from Hanoi we had to take a bus to the airport where you have to run with all other guests to your gates which is sometime not clearly indicated. Design is new but A/C system seems not to cope with the heat.

Have been a frequent visitor to the airport. Although there have some improvements I feel that they have been cosmetic. The feel of the building is still unfinished and looking tired. Immigration still remains a nightmare with long lines. Baggage waiting times are very inconsistent its more of a waiting game especially during peak hours. The departure area s are over crowded and messy with insufficient seating. Security control remains a joke with rude and unfriendly staff.