Wednesday, November 28, 2012

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.






4 comments:

NRIGirl said...

I am positive these Nautilus-shaped pre departure area is what we see from the garden picture in your earlier post! Wow, I am good after all!

I have to tell you this though it is off topic. My Mom recalls an incident when we were little say 5 or 6 years of age. My sister once caged a chicken in a makeshift coop. When it was released hour or so later there was an egg! My sister then commented, "I am smart! I made an egg!"

Now that's how smart I feel answering my own question! :)

Krishna/കൃഷ്ണ said...

beautiful travel photos

thanks

eye in the sky said...

@ NRIGirl:

Yes, the nautilus-shaped architecture of the airport. Haha. And though off topic, I love eggs - anyone can cook 'em anyway they want and I'd consume them like I haven't eaten in 10 days. LOL

eye in the sky said...

Thanks, Krishna. :)