Suvarnabhumi International Airport - Departures

You're not supposed to enunciate "Suvarnabhumi" as spelled in the English language. Not when you're talking to a taxi driver. "Where?" They'd frequently ask again. "Oh, the airport!" Try "suwanapoom". I've even heard this pronunciation from other farangs. It sounds "cute" though.

Departing Thailand has never been easier. With the advent of the City Link trains, traveling away gets even better, cheaper and faster. The system is pretty straight forward too. Upon arrival at the lobby, you cross the street to get to the entrance. Head to the nearest Information Sign Board (see photo above) that has frequent updates. If your flight leaves within the next 2 to 3 hours, then you will find your flight details at the board. Otherwise, you'd have to wait. It will give your Check-in Counter, Gate number, etc. It will tell you where to go once you've checked in.

The Departure Hall is the busiest part of the airport and is located at the 4th level (4th floor). If your flight is international, make sure you have adequate time to queue for your immigration formalities which, more often than not, takes a while because the picture taking process seems to take a lot of time. From there, you get through an enormous volume of duty-free shops, one of Asia's biggest Pre-departure duty-free shops. You can partake on a meal, mail post cards, exchange money or sell unused Thai bahts, shop and shop again, get a massage, buy a book, etc. The possibilities are limitless. Just make sure that you're at your boarding gate on the appointed time.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

Skyway in Bangkok en route to the airport. Suwanapoom, yes?



A taxi drops you off here, then you cross the street.





Walk towards the airport's entrance. this is already the 4th floor of the airport, the Departure Hall.





There are wrapping stations here when you need to secure a few things. They charge 120B ($3.90) per article whether it's a huge baggage (see below) or a tiny umbrella (an umbrella gets compulsively wrapped that it would seem you'd need three years to unwrap it). Cash basis only. Left luggage counter is at the 2nd level near the Tourist Police Assistance Station.





Check-in counter








This is a common sight where an array of the most colorful flowers (lots of orchids) are on display at the departure hall all year round.


Organized chaos

General information and a little history of Suvarnabhumi - http://eye-in-the-blue-sky.blogspot.com/2008/04/bangkoks-suvarnabhumi-international.html

Dramatic blue interior lights is Suvarnabhumi's characteristic fixture and is accentuated at night.


Nautilus-shaped Pre-deparure Areas where your boarding gates could be found.