First test flight lands successfully at Suvarnabhmi Airport
BANGKOK: -- The first commercial test flight from Don Muang Airport to Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi Airport of Thai Airways International (THAI), the national flag carrier, landed successfully at the new airport Saturday morning as scheduled.
The THAI Boeing 747-400 aircraft, flight TG181, carrying Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, other cabinet members, senior government officials and some other 400 passengers, landed to make a place in history at 08:09 a.m. at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
THAI offered a special airfare of Bt999 for the inaugural commercial flight from Don Muang Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Prime Minister Thaksin told journalists before boarding the flight that he was excited and delighted that finally the Bangkok's new international airport was successfully developed after more than four decades in planning.
Upon his arrival at the new airport, the prime minister is scheduled to take some hours to visit and inspect the readiness of all its facilities before flying back to Don Muang Airport.
THAI and five other commercial airlines, including Nok Air, Thai Air Asia, Orient Thai, P.B. Air and Bangkok Airways, join the commercial flight tests for Suvarnabhumi Airport with special flights on Saturday.
The first flight of the national airline is to be followed by 21 other domestic flights throughout the day.
The Department of Aviation has already issued an Interim Aerodome Certificate for the Suvarnabhumi Airport giving operational permission to the new facility.
Many airlines, including THAI, Bangkok Airways and Air Asia, have announced that they plan to open new international routes to serve the commercial opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport on September 28.
With the scheduled opening of the country's new international airport only a few months away, complete testing of its facilities has begun since July 3 to ensure that the national showcase is fully ready for its launch.
The tests include the airport's air-conditioning and lighting systems, passenger check-in counters, customes services and the operation of its CTX bomb scanners.
The eight-storey airport complex, including an underground level, where there will be electric mass transit facilities and passenger terminals, has a total area of some 563,000 square metres and can cater to 45 million passengers annually.
Meanwhile, the Department of Land Transport has affirmed the readiness of transport services for passengers to the new airport.
The department said that transport services to the new Bangkok international airport include limousines, airport buses, and an airport express service.
Airport buses, including inter-provincial bus services, will be run by the Transport Co., Ltd and the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA).
The airport express service, operated by the Thonburi Service Co., Ltd., will provide buses running through the capital's business areas and to downtown hotels in areas such as Silom and Wireless Roads.
Prime Minister Thaksin said the transport service to the new airport is not aimed to reap benefit, but to promote the kingdom globally.
Bus access and seating is also modified to facilitate passengers with disabilities, according to the Thai leader.
--TNA 2006-07-29
--------------------
* Despite the cost of living, have you noticed how it remains so popular?
* If God had meant us to travel economy class, he would have made us narrower.
Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.
Moderator: Latest news team
Sorry about the above " Here is another map ! " but you can read more about this topic and find some pictures on this link.....
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=77216
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=77216
THAI Ready for first flight from Suvarnabhumi
BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International (THAI) is ready to begin commercial operations at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Friday.
“Everything is now ready to serve passengers,” said Mano Sapayanon, Director of THAI’s Ground Services Support Department.
The first commercial flight out of the new airport will be TG 8860, a Boeing 737-400, from Bangkok to Phitsanulok at 6.30 AM.
On Saturday, some of THAI’s flights between the capital and Chiangmai and Ubon Ratchathani will also begin operating at Suvarnabhumi. Passengers are advised to check their tickets in advance and plan accordingly.
An “NBK” code on a ticket means that the flight is at Suvarnabhumi Airport, while “BKK” is at Bangkok International Airport (Don Muang).
When arriving at the new airport, Mano said passengers should go to island number 2 at the west end of the departure hall where the airline’s domestic check-in counters are located. After receiving a boarding pass, passengers will proceed to either concourse A or B where the domestic departure gates are situated.
THAI will begin servicing six daily flights between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Phitsanulok, while low cost carrier Jetstar will operate six of their own flights between Bangkok and Singapore from the new airport.
To provide the best service to both domestic and international passengers, Airports of Thailand Plc. will assign staff to provide information at the terminal.
Inquiries can also be made at the airport’s Call Centre at (02) 132 – 1888, which will have 24-hour service starting Friday.
BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International (THAI) is ready to begin commercial operations at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Friday.
“Everything is now ready to serve passengers,” said Mano Sapayanon, Director of THAI’s Ground Services Support Department.
The first commercial flight out of the new airport will be TG 8860, a Boeing 737-400, from Bangkok to Phitsanulok at 6.30 AM.
On Saturday, some of THAI’s flights between the capital and Chiangmai and Ubon Ratchathani will also begin operating at Suvarnabhumi. Passengers are advised to check their tickets in advance and plan accordingly.
An “NBK” code on a ticket means that the flight is at Suvarnabhumi Airport, while “BKK” is at Bangkok International Airport (Don Muang).
When arriving at the new airport, Mano said passengers should go to island number 2 at the west end of the departure hall where the airline’s domestic check-in counters are located. After receiving a boarding pass, passengers will proceed to either concourse A or B where the domestic departure gates are situated.
THAI will begin servicing six daily flights between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Phitsanulok, while low cost carrier Jetstar will operate six of their own flights between Bangkok and Singapore from the new airport.
To provide the best service to both domestic and international passengers, Airports of Thailand Plc. will assign staff to provide information at the terminal.
Inquiries can also be made at the airport’s Call Centre at (02) 132 – 1888, which will have 24-hour service starting Friday.
I don't get it.
An “NBK” code on a ticket means that the flight is at Suvarnabhumi Airport, while “BKK” is at Bangkok International Airport (Don Muang).
I have all my Air Asia flights with BKK while on Air Asia website it clearly says all flights are from the new airport (I'm flying in November).
Same with my Etihad tickets but I bought them four months ago!
I am puzzled!
-
OrientThai
- Posts: 243
- Joined: 27 Aug 2004, 00:00
- Location: Belgium&Thailand
BKK code is still used on Air Asia websitesab319 wrote:as of 28 september alls activities move to suvarnabhumi, and on that date it will change it's IATA code from NBK to BKK.
This makes things confusing!V FARE Guest 999.00 THB
Sat, 11/Nov/2006
Flight FD3022 12:50 Depart Phuket (HKT)
14:05 Arrive Bangkok (BKK)
O FARE Guest 499.00 THB
Sat, 11/Nov/2006
Flight FD3024 17:45 Depart Phuket (HKT)
19:05 Arrive Bangkok (BKK)
O FARE Guest 499.00 THB
Sat, 11/Nov/2006
Flight FD3028 20:30 Depart Phuket (HKT)
21:50 Arrive Bangkok (BKK)
O FARE Guest 499.00 THB
Sat, 11/Nov/2006
Flight FD3026 23:05 Depart Phuket (HKT)
00:25 Arrive Bangkok (BKK) (next day)
Attention:
Effective Monday 25th September 2006, Thai AirAsia, FD flight only, will be operating from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
The following flights will land at Suvarnbhumi Airport on the evening of Sunday 24th September 2006:
FD 3506 Singapore - Bangkok FD 3257 Chiang Rai - Bangkok
FD 3136 Hat Yai - Bangkok FD 3707 Hanoi - Bangkok
FD 3607 Macau - Bangkok FD 3237 Chiang Mai - Bangkok
FD 3028 Phuket - Bangkok FD 3026 Phuket - Bangkok
FD 3553 Kota Kinabalu - Bangkok FD 3508 Singapore - Bangkok
Effective Thursday 28th September 2006, AirAsia, AK flights, will commence their operation at Suvarnbhumi Airport, up to 27th September 2006 midnight all AK flights will land and depart from Don Muang Airport.
General question : will Don Muang still be used by other airlines or not at all ?
Not confusing.
At the moment the new airport is NBK.
The old airport is BKK.
At 03:00 on 28 September, the new airport becomes BKK and the old airport will become DBK.
As of that time if your ticket says, BKK, you will land at the new airport. The old airport will cease commercial operation.
At the moment the new airport is NBK.
The old airport is BKK.
At 03:00 on 28 September, the new airport becomes BKK and the old airport will become DBK.
As of that time if your ticket says, BKK, you will land at the new airport. The old airport will cease commercial operation.
Last edited by PYX on 19 Sep 2006, 17:32, edited 1 time in total.
Nothing changes for the airport.
Old Don Muang closes 28th sept at 03.00
New Suvarnabhumi fully operational 28th sept at 03.00
Air Asia using new airport as of 25 sept,and so will Thai airways for (some?) domestic flights, Bangkok Air using already and this Singapore based budget airline (jetstar?) since 15th sept.
Foreign dignitaries, for what? Toxin Taksin opened the airport in september 2005.
And he will make it? No he stays in London for the time being.
I hope he will get jailed if he ever returns to Thailand.
Old Don Muang closes 28th sept at 03.00
New Suvarnabhumi fully operational 28th sept at 03.00
Air Asia using new airport as of 25 sept,and so will Thai airways for (some?) domestic flights, Bangkok Air using already and this Singapore based budget airline (jetstar?) since 15th sept.
Foreign dignitaries, for what? Toxin Taksin opened the airport in september 2005.
And he will make it? No he stays in London for the time being.
I hope he will get jailed if he ever returns to Thailand.
Bangkok's new airport to change the face of seedy Pattaya
PATTAYA: -- For many tourists, the Thai resort of Pattaya conjures up images of criminals on the run, girls enticing westerners into sleazy bars, and most disturbingly, child sex tourism.
But the town is undergoing a renaissance as the new Suvarnabhumi Airport prepares to open nearby, creating a rush among high-priced hotel chains for beachfront property aimed not at the single guy, but wholesome families.
"Developers are buying land to develop shopping malls, five-star hotels, and in a few years Pattaya will change its face," says Chaiwat Charoensuk, the director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office in Pattaya.
"We need the families to visit Pattaya, so it is our job to do something to change the image," he adds.
Pattaya was once a quiet fishing town, but the arrival of US soldiers on leave during the Vietnam war soon put an end to that, with go-go bars and brothels sprouting up to cater for company-starved GIs.
Tourist authorities are now hoping the resort will undergo another transformation, from sleazy sex destination into family-friendly beach town.
The new airport is located 100 kilometers (60 miles) from Pattaya, and will open as planned on September 28 despite the military coup on September 19 which ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Chaiwat says he hopes the opening of the 113 billion baht (3.0 billion US dollars) hub will boost the number of Thai and foreign visitors to Pattaya from 5.8 million per year to 6.5 million.
Chatchawal Supachayanont, general manager of the Dusit Resort and president of the Pattaya chapter for the Thai Hotels Association, says this predicted boom has caused land prices to rocket.
"There are many new hotels opening like the international chain hotels," he says. "In just three to four years the price has gone up 100 percent in the prime areas."
One place looking for a new brand of holiday-maker is the Sheraton. The five-star beachfront property opened in August 2005, and is aimed at couples.
"We are hopefully bringing a new market to Pattaya," says Gavin Maloney, director of sales and marketing, who also predicts a boom in business travellers, many of whom visit factories nearby.
But there are worries that Pattaya's seedy side may not disappear, instead vanishing behind the closed doors of plush new hotels and apartment blocks.
Anthony Burnett, a spokesman for ECPAT, an international NGO that works to end the sexual exploitation of children, says that once a region has established a reputation for sex tourism, it can be difficult to alter.
"In central areas of the city, a profusion of bars host young women who engage in sexual acts for payment," he says.
Most of these women are over 18, but he says that young teenage girls walk the streets looking for customers, while underage boys are offered up as 'masseuses'.
Burnett acknowledges TAT's efforts to clean up the city, but says there remains much to be done, and warns that the recent boom could have consequences.
"The proliferation of foreign-owned or rented apartments can make child sexual abusers harder to detect, as instead of abusing children in bars or hotels, they are now able to do so in their own homes," he says.
All tourism officials and hotel owners say they are committed to getting rid of child sex tourism, but concede that the wider adult entertainment industry attracts a lot of people.
"Another kind of tourist wants entertainment and relaxation," says TAT's Chaiwat. "As long as it is not illegal they can come and enjoy life, that's fine for me, it is not dirty, it's normal."
Along the beachfront, where mostly British tourists clad in football shirts, shorts and the obligatory sunburn enjoy the baking weather, holiday-makers agree that Pattaya is a fun destination.
"I think it has got something for everyone. It's good for families, it's good for young lads like me," says Michael Johnson, 23, an entrepreneur from Britain.
But most tourists agree that Pattaya is not appropriate for children.
"In our hotel they let guys come back with boys or girls," says Karen Yeo, 47, from the UK.
Aoife Lowe, a 27-year-old recent graduate from Ireland, says that if she had children, she would not bring them to Pattaya.
"I just don't think they should be exposed to that sort of thing," she says.
But Chaiwat says there are plenty of attractions for children to enjoy, including a zoo, a submarine and a water park.
"Pattaya is like Disneyland, but you don't pay an entrance fee," he says. — AFP
— AFP 2006-09-26
This post has been edited by Jai Dee: Today, 2006-09-26 16:00:15
PATTAYA: -- For many tourists, the Thai resort of Pattaya conjures up images of criminals on the run, girls enticing westerners into sleazy bars, and most disturbingly, child sex tourism.
But the town is undergoing a renaissance as the new Suvarnabhumi Airport prepares to open nearby, creating a rush among high-priced hotel chains for beachfront property aimed not at the single guy, but wholesome families.
"Developers are buying land to develop shopping malls, five-star hotels, and in a few years Pattaya will change its face," says Chaiwat Charoensuk, the director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office in Pattaya.
"We need the families to visit Pattaya, so it is our job to do something to change the image," he adds.
Pattaya was once a quiet fishing town, but the arrival of US soldiers on leave during the Vietnam war soon put an end to that, with go-go bars and brothels sprouting up to cater for company-starved GIs.
Tourist authorities are now hoping the resort will undergo another transformation, from sleazy sex destination into family-friendly beach town.
The new airport is located 100 kilometers (60 miles) from Pattaya, and will open as planned on September 28 despite the military coup on September 19 which ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Chaiwat says he hopes the opening of the 113 billion baht (3.0 billion US dollars) hub will boost the number of Thai and foreign visitors to Pattaya from 5.8 million per year to 6.5 million.
Chatchawal Supachayanont, general manager of the Dusit Resort and president of the Pattaya chapter for the Thai Hotels Association, says this predicted boom has caused land prices to rocket.
"There are many new hotels opening like the international chain hotels," he says. "In just three to four years the price has gone up 100 percent in the prime areas."
One place looking for a new brand of holiday-maker is the Sheraton. The five-star beachfront property opened in August 2005, and is aimed at couples.
"We are hopefully bringing a new market to Pattaya," says Gavin Maloney, director of sales and marketing, who also predicts a boom in business travellers, many of whom visit factories nearby.
But there are worries that Pattaya's seedy side may not disappear, instead vanishing behind the closed doors of plush new hotels and apartment blocks.
Anthony Burnett, a spokesman for ECPAT, an international NGO that works to end the sexual exploitation of children, says that once a region has established a reputation for sex tourism, it can be difficult to alter.
"In central areas of the city, a profusion of bars host young women who engage in sexual acts for payment," he says.
Most of these women are over 18, but he says that young teenage girls walk the streets looking for customers, while underage boys are offered up as 'masseuses'.
Burnett acknowledges TAT's efforts to clean up the city, but says there remains much to be done, and warns that the recent boom could have consequences.
"The proliferation of foreign-owned or rented apartments can make child sexual abusers harder to detect, as instead of abusing children in bars or hotels, they are now able to do so in their own homes," he says.
All tourism officials and hotel owners say they are committed to getting rid of child sex tourism, but concede that the wider adult entertainment industry attracts a lot of people.
"Another kind of tourist wants entertainment and relaxation," says TAT's Chaiwat. "As long as it is not illegal they can come and enjoy life, that's fine for me, it is not dirty, it's normal."
Along the beachfront, where mostly British tourists clad in football shirts, shorts and the obligatory sunburn enjoy the baking weather, holiday-makers agree that Pattaya is a fun destination.
"I think it has got something for everyone. It's good for families, it's good for young lads like me," says Michael Johnson, 23, an entrepreneur from Britain.
But most tourists agree that Pattaya is not appropriate for children.
"In our hotel they let guys come back with boys or girls," says Karen Yeo, 47, from the UK.
Aoife Lowe, a 27-year-old recent graduate from Ireland, says that if she had children, she would not bring them to Pattaya.
"I just don't think they should be exposed to that sort of thing," she says.
But Chaiwat says there are plenty of attractions for children to enjoy, including a zoo, a submarine and a water park.
"Pattaya is like Disneyland, but you don't pay an entrance fee," he says. — AFP
— AFP 2006-09-26
This post has been edited by Jai Dee: Today, 2006-09-26 16:00:15
Want to see who comes in and out?
Checkpoint Webcam
cctv available, if not too busy....
And stay updated here
You will learn answers to questions as these:
How many toilets for men are there in the main departure hall, which is 444 metres long and about 50 metres wide?
The answer: there are 12 toilets and 16 urinals in four restrooms.
btw:
Departure tax will rise from Bt500 to Bt700 baht.
And: Thunderstorms and rain expect in Bangkok. The wet weather could worsen traffic on the routes, so the massive airport move may cause traffic chaos.
And: The new airport will open @ 03:00am.
The first flight to land at Suvarnabhumi is a Lufthansa cargo plane from Mumbai scheduled to arrive five minutes after the move from Don Muang.
The first passenger flight will be Aerosvit Airlines flight VV171 from Kiev, landing at 4.10am.
A Saudi Arabian Airlines cargo flight will be the first to leave the new airport at 5am.
The first passenger flight departing Suvarnabhumi will be flight VV172 on its way back to Kiev.
Aerosvit Airlines
VV 171
Borispol (KBP), Kiev, Ukraine T B 14:50
Bangkok International (BKK) T 1 04:10+1 day Non-stop 763 9h20min Wednesday
cctv available, if not too busy....
And stay updated here
You will learn answers to questions as these:
How many toilets for men are there in the main departure hall, which is 444 metres long and about 50 metres wide?
The answer: there are 12 toilets and 16 urinals in four restrooms.
btw:
Departure tax will rise from Bt500 to Bt700 baht.
And: Thunderstorms and rain expect in Bangkok. The wet weather could worsen traffic on the routes, so the massive airport move may cause traffic chaos.
And: The new airport will open @ 03:00am.
The first flight to land at Suvarnabhumi is a Lufthansa cargo plane from Mumbai scheduled to arrive five minutes after the move from Don Muang.
The first passenger flight will be Aerosvit Airlines flight VV171 from Kiev, landing at 4.10am.
A Saudi Arabian Airlines cargo flight will be the first to leave the new airport at 5am.
The first passenger flight departing Suvarnabhumi will be flight VV172 on its way back to Kiev.
Aerosvit Airlines
VV 171
Borispol (KBP), Kiev, Ukraine T B 14:50
Bangkok International (BKK) T 1 04:10+1 day Non-stop 763 9h20min Wednesday
The location is Cobra Swamp!
Which one will be the last out of Don Muang? KU 414?
OZ 744 Incheon 28/9/2006 0200 1 Check in row-7
ET 607 Addis Ababa 28/9/2006 0200 1 Check in row-5
TG 6724 Incheon 28/9/2006 0200 1 Check in row-7
KE 662 Busan 28/9/2006 0205 1 31 Check in row-8
CI 067 Rome 28/9/2006 0225 2 Check in row-14
AZ 7681 Rome 28/9/2006 0225 2 Check in row-14
EK 419 Dubai 28/9/2006 0230 2 Check in row-11
KU 414 Kuwait 28/9/2006 0300
btw: "the golden land", Suvarnabhumi (pronounced su-wan-na-poom), why make it difficult?
Why not call it Cobra Swamp?
As a matter of fact, Brussels National is called Zaventem, as was the site called for centuries before.
The location is Cobra Swamp!
btw, noticed all firsts arrivals and departures are all american made aircraft? MD-11F & B767
OZ 744 Incheon 28/9/2006 0200 1 Check in row-7
ET 607 Addis Ababa 28/9/2006 0200 1 Check in row-5
TG 6724 Incheon 28/9/2006 0200 1 Check in row-7
KE 662 Busan 28/9/2006 0205 1 31 Check in row-8
CI 067 Rome 28/9/2006 0225 2 Check in row-14
AZ 7681 Rome 28/9/2006 0225 2 Check in row-14
EK 419 Dubai 28/9/2006 0230 2 Check in row-11
KU 414 Kuwait 28/9/2006 0300
btw: "the golden land", Suvarnabhumi (pronounced su-wan-na-poom), why make it difficult?
Why not call it Cobra Swamp?
As a matter of fact, Brussels National is called Zaventem, as was the site called for centuries before.
The location is Cobra Swamp!
btw, noticed all firsts arrivals and departures are all american made aircraft? MD-11F & B767
Bangkok Opens New Airport Suvarnabhumi as Don Muang Closes
BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International has successfully migrated its operational base from Don Muang’s Bangkok International Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport.
THAI’s six main activities, those being Cargo and Mail Commercial, Ground Support Equipment Services, Catering Services, Aircraft Maintenance Center, Customer Services, and Operations Center, have completely transferred their equipment and personnel to Suvarnabhumi Airport, whereby a total of 1.8 million pieces have been moved.
Flg. Off. Apinan Sumanaseni, President of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, said “As the national carrier of Thailand, those of us at THAI are rather nostalgic of Don Muang’s Bangkok International Airport after having operated there for the past 46 years. In addition, we are excited about our move to Suvarnabhumi Airport, which offers a whole new range of travel experiences, utilizing modern state-of-the-art facilities tailored to the changing needs of today’s global traveler. It is with pleasure and great anticipation that THAI announces the beginning of a new era, with flights to and from our new operational base at Suvarnabhumi Airport.”
Overnight, THAI transferred the parking location of its aircraft. A total of 22 aircraft were flown as ferry flights without passengers from Don Muang’s Bangkok International Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport.
All airlines flying to Bangkok now fly to and from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
--Asiatraveltips.com 2006-09-28
BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International has successfully migrated its operational base from Don Muang’s Bangkok International Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport.
THAI’s six main activities, those being Cargo and Mail Commercial, Ground Support Equipment Services, Catering Services, Aircraft Maintenance Center, Customer Services, and Operations Center, have completely transferred their equipment and personnel to Suvarnabhumi Airport, whereby a total of 1.8 million pieces have been moved.
Flg. Off. Apinan Sumanaseni, President of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited, said “As the national carrier of Thailand, those of us at THAI are rather nostalgic of Don Muang’s Bangkok International Airport after having operated there for the past 46 years. In addition, we are excited about our move to Suvarnabhumi Airport, which offers a whole new range of travel experiences, utilizing modern state-of-the-art facilities tailored to the changing needs of today’s global traveler. It is with pleasure and great anticipation that THAI announces the beginning of a new era, with flights to and from our new operational base at Suvarnabhumi Airport.”
Overnight, THAI transferred the parking location of its aircraft. A total of 22 aircraft were flown as ferry flights without passengers from Don Muang’s Bangkok International Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport.
All airlines flying to Bangkok now fly to and from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
--Asiatraveltips.com 2006-09-28
Computer glitches mar first full day at new Bangkok airport
Attached Image
BANGKOK: -- Passengers at Bangkok's new international airport Thursday faced delays in collecting their bags and checking in on the first full day of operations because of computer and mechanical glitches.
Thousands of passengers arriving on the first flights had to wait one hour to collect their bags as equipment was slow in arriving from the old airport, which closed during the night.
"The delay was caused by the delay of moving Thai Airways ground handling equipment from the old airport to the new one," said Chotisak Asapaviriya, president of Airports of Thailand, which operates the facility.
"It's just a minor error, and it will be the only one. We will never let this happen again," he said.
But at Thai Airways check-in counters, computers crashed before the first flights out of the new Suvarnabhumi Airport, causing delays as airline workers had to issue handwritten boarding passes and baggage claim tags.
That left long lines, but many passengers seemed prepared for delays on the first full day of operations, when some 800 flights will fly through.
"Today is the first day, so we don't expect anything to go well," said Paul Millar, a 46-year-old Briton who works in Bangkok.
"Fortunately we arrived early just in case," he said.
AFP 2006-09-28
Attached Image
BANGKOK: -- Passengers at Bangkok's new international airport Thursday faced delays in collecting their bags and checking in on the first full day of operations because of computer and mechanical glitches.
Thousands of passengers arriving on the first flights had to wait one hour to collect their bags as equipment was slow in arriving from the old airport, which closed during the night.
"The delay was caused by the delay of moving Thai Airways ground handling equipment from the old airport to the new one," said Chotisak Asapaviriya, president of Airports of Thailand, which operates the facility.
"It's just a minor error, and it will be the only one. We will never let this happen again," he said.
But at Thai Airways check-in counters, computers crashed before the first flights out of the new Suvarnabhumi Airport, causing delays as airline workers had to issue handwritten boarding passes and baggage claim tags.
That left long lines, but many passengers seemed prepared for delays on the first full day of operations, when some 800 flights will fly through.
"Today is the first day, so we don't expect anything to go well," said Paul Millar, a 46-year-old Briton who works in Bangkok.
"Fortunately we arrived early just in case," he said.
AFP 2006-09-28