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Bangkok International Airport |
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Though it only opened barely a year ago, on September 15, 2006, the Suvarnabhumi Airport, also known as the New Bangkok International Airport
(BKK), is now considered to be one of the busiest airports in the entirety
of Asia. BKK is supposed to be the replacement airport for Don Mueang
International Airport after the latter ceased operations. Structural
problems, however, have caused BKK to operate on a limited capacity,
prompting the various Thai airlines to shift their domestic flights back to
Don Mueang, reopened recently to accommodate such shifts.
BKK nonetheless remains the primary airport for the city of Bangkok. It is located 25 kilometers east of the city, in Racha Thewa. It has only one
terminal building, said to be the second largest single terminal building
in the world. The control tower of BKK is also the tallest in the world
currently.
As the primary airport for Bangkok, BKK is the main hub of Thai Airways International, Orient Thai Airlines, Bangkok Airways and Thai AirAsia. BKK
is also a focus airport for China Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Air
India, Indian Airlines, Druk Air, Sri Lankan Airlines and Singapore
Airlines.
Ground Transport
Construction of a high speed rail link between BKK and the city of Bangkok
is currently underway, with expected completion set on 2008. Meanwhile,
the existing train station linking Don Mueang and Hua Takhe, which is the
nearest station to BKK, serves as an option for passengers going to BKK.
The airport has a shuttle service transporting such passengers between BKK
and the Hua Takhe station.
Another option available for passengers traveling from BKK to the city proper is the bus. BKK has buses dropping off and picking up passengers at
the bus bay at the BKK Transport Center. Four bus routes are run by BKK
itself, while 12 others are operated by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority.
Aside from these bus lines, another bus service called the Airport Express
acts solely as transport between BKK and the hotels within its vicinity.
Taxis are also available, and they can be found outside Level 2 of Arrivals and at the dedicated taxi bay at the BKK Transport Center. The Transport
Center can be accessed via free shuttle bus going to and from the terminal
building.
Car Parks and Car Hire
A number of car parking facilities are available around the airport.
Various international and local car rental companies operate from BKK. Car
rentals can be booked from the service counters found at Arrivals. After
the booking is done, the customer can take the shuttle bus going to the
Transport Center to pick up the rental car.
Hotels within the Airport
Just outside the terminal is the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel, a 612-
room property considered to be the official hotel of BKK. It is connected
via underground walkway to the terminal building. Other hotels within the
vicinity of BKK are Hotel Ibis Huamark Bangkok, Avana Bangkok Hotel, Kanary
House and Royal Princess Srinakarin. Many of these hotels are only less
than 30 minutes away from the airport.
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