Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport

While the structure shopping amenities and ornamentation are impressive the operational management and treatment I received was disgraceful. My connecting flight was slightly late the transit security line was a mob scene and I had to move to the side and shove my way to the front where it seemed airport security was selectively letting people without boarding passes through. When I finally arrived at the gate there was a shouting match going on between the gate attendant and a guy who was trying to board the flight without a boarding pass. When I arrived the attendant said I could not get on the flight because my bags were too big even though boarding was still going. I argued back and forth then finally tried to walk away from the mob scene at which point the attendant began shoving me and my bags. Finally I was able to move through the chaos and get on the flight after about 20 minutes of unnecessary wrangling. Airport operatives here do not seem to be above the board in how they deal with customers.

Have found it a positive experience inbound and out - busy no matter what time you are there. Impressive environment facilities are good however the food area on the 4th level is a complete rip off. Avoid it unless you want to pay out of this world prices.

Arrived on THAI business class around 2330 and made for Fast Track Immigration. Only one queue open with a longer line than in the normal Immigration desks! It took over 10 minutes for a 2nd officer to arrive and start reducing the queue. I use the airport a couple of dozen times a year and agree it has started slowly improving the product for passengers. Still very few food and beverage outlets at Departures level though and Duty Free remains amongst the highest in the region. A premium vodka is still one third more expensive than Hong Kong for example. More people movers at Departures Level are urgently required.

Travelled to and from this airport 6 times over the last 9 months and I have nothing to complain about. It is clean systematic and easy airport to get around. Even after my first few visits I easily find my gate. I think it is great that some smoking rooms are present. If you want to spend a limited amount of money or if you want to spend a lot of money there is always places to eat and things to buy.

I fly to BKK twice a year. Suvarnabhumi is a soulless environment. Bare concrete and steel tresses are abundant. It is functional it does what it says on the tin. I preferred Don Muang for it's character not to mention the Royal Thai Golf Course between the two runways there. However never had any major dram's with baggage immigration or transfers between International and Domestic at Suvarnabhumi.

I have flown in and out of this Airport hub many times. I was never treated unkindly or with disrespect by anyone despite the hectic environment. Customs have been less than a 20 minute wait every time. The retail section is pricy when compared to the average price on the street in the surrounding areas of Bangkok but when compared to other airports it is quite good charging no more than for example a London or New York location. Airport is contemporary and modern clean and functional.

Immigration is a nightmare both inbound and outbound of the country. (Long Lines) Immigration agents are a little bit friendlier than in the past but they still do not say anything nor smile. Land of Smiles has not found BKK yet.

Arrived 6pm to the usual immigration chaos long lines and only half the booths open. Usual slowness from officials. 1hr 10min later picked up my bag. On exiting and passing all the touts looking for business I used the new airport-city train link which was a pleasant inexpensive experience. On return the check-in was smooth but then the same at emigration - long lines backing into the check-in area. An hour later I was through. Duty free is expensive and the food outlets charge crazy prices - 60baht for a bottle of water. Fortunately I had a lounge pass. All over the airport they advertise the slogan 'Airport of Smiles'. Nothing has improved at Bangkok despite all the press releases and all the promises.

The difference in crowding between afternoon and late evening is dramatic. The terminal is so much quieter in the afternoon - 5 mins to check-in Air Asia 5 mins in Immigration and 2 mins in Security - try that at 9pm. Other than that the seating areas at the beginning of the Piers are a welcome addition.

For a relatively new airport this one is an architectural disgrace. Designed with no thought to passenger flow or convenience. It's basically a kilometre long thin tube lined with shops Immigration and Emigration cramped with most desks unoccupied leading to queues that back up on themselves. Airline lounges are impossible to find due to a complete lack of signage. Passengers are expected to walk several hundred metres because of the lack of travelators.