Phuket Thailand

Josssie · #1 26-09-2006, 16:42

I not want another New Airport thread. But as d-day comes close for the grant opening, i thought it may be good to have a thread for BM's telling there good or bad experience about the new airport. Maybe also for questions that can be answered by those that have been there. Will tell my experience after my next trip.

IRISH JONNY · #2 26-09-2006, 17:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josssie

I not want another New Airport thread. But as d-day comes close for the grant opening, i thought it may be good to have a thread for BM's telling there good or bad experience about the new airport. Maybe also for questions that can be answered by those that have been there. Will tell my experience after my next trip.

GREAT IDEA JOSSIE.......AS IM ARRIVING THERE ON OCT 12 IT WOULD BE NICE TO KNOW THE INS AND OUTS.....
IJ

steve w · #3 26-09-2006, 17:33

agree,as much info as possible needs to go on the board in the first few weeks.that will make it easier for me on nov 14th,innit

erik1 · #4 26-09-2006, 17:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josssie

I not want another New Airport thread. But as d-day comes close for the grant opening, i thought it may be good to have a thread for BM's telling there good or bad experience about the new airport. Maybe also for questions that can be answered by those that have been there. Will tell my experience after my next trip.

Ask all the questions and I will see if I can find the answers on the 28th as I am supposed to land at 7:20 am on the first day

aussie dollar · #5 26-09-2006, 17:48

ME 10.45PM FIRST DAY BUT SORRY DONT THINK I WILL BE LOOKING FOR COMPUTER FIRST FEW DAYS,OTHER THINGS ON MY MIND.
TO BE HONEST NEVER POST MUCH FROM LOS TO BUSY

SORRY

steve w · #6 26-09-2006, 18:15

what possibly could there be to do in thailand better than being sat in an internet cafe talking to us,innit

Bobby · #7 26-09-2006, 18:40

Compared to SG, HK or KL, there are currently no train stations at the airport.
The main departure hall has only 100 seats and just four restrooms for men... There are no trolleys for your luggage. During the tests, 40% of the luggage were lost. Expect a total chaos for the first days and some improvement in the next 6 months...

The Nation: Sawasdee Suvarnabhumi

Captain · #8 26-09-2006, 18:56

Saw a post in "Pattaya secrets" from a guy who visited the new airport. Taxi's can be taken on level 1.
Will try to ask the guy if I can post his message here.

faultytowers · #9 26-09-2006, 19:29

Posted this in another thread , but think it may be useful here.

Quote:

Originally posted by faultytowers

Thai Air has just updated their web-site , there is a lot of info about the new airport which may be useful to BM's. At the bottom of the "General Information" page there is a link to download a pdf. leaflet showing all the various areas.

Travel and destination Information

erik1 · #10 26-09-2006, 20:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve w

what possibly could there be to do in thailand better than being sat in an internet cafe talking to us,innit

waiting for papers from the embassy, waiting for translation etc haha so in the wait time can post few words.

erik1 · #11 26-09-2006, 20:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain

Saw a post in "Pattaya secrets" from a guy who visited the new airport. Taxi's can be taken on level 1.
Will try to ask the guy if I can post his message here.

actually level 2 - arrivals

Spector · #12 26-09-2006, 21:16

I do have one question…Landing at the new airport early evening on October 7th from Hong Kong and then carrying onto Phuket 4 hours later. So my question is….Can I clear Customs and Immigration in Bangkok or because I’m an in-transit passenger would I have to clear in Phuket? Obviously since I have a 4 hour layover my preference is to get it over and done with in Bangkok and not face clearing customs at 1130pm in Phuket after a hard day of travelling.

My baggage will have been checked all the way though to Phuket. Will I be able to clear customs without it in Bangkok or I'm I forced to clear in Phuket?

I would guess it's similar rules and regulations currently at the old airport.

Captain · #13 26-09-2006, 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by erik1

actually level 2 - arrivals

I understand those were limousines. Public (meter) taxis you had to go to level 1...but will chrck it out.

Robaht · #14 26-09-2006, 21:24

I have a flight out of the new airport at 00:05 on the 28th, have to check in of course on the 27th. I am not sure if this is the first flight out on the 28th, but it is darn close to it. I'll let you know how it all goes. My biggest concern, really, seems to be finding a taxi in Bangkok that actually knows how to get to the new airport and where to drop me off once we find it!

Wish me luck!!

cheers, Robaht

faultytowers · #15 26-09-2006, 23:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Searanger

My baggage will have been checked all the way though to Phuket. Will I be able to clear customs without it in Bangkok or I'm I forced to clear in Phuket?

I would guess it's similar rules and regulations currently at the old airport.

If your luggage is "checked through" then you will have to clear customs in Phuket. Don't think there would be much delay in Phuket , as you will be on one of the later flights, shouldn't be too busy. You would still have to wait for your luggage anyway , so by the time you've cleared immigration you shouldn't have long to wait.

From Thai web-site.

Quote:

If your final destination is Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Krabi, or Phuket, you then proceed to Transfer Check-in desk on the second floor of concourse A/B. The Immigration and Customs formalities will be done at your destination airport.

Captain · #16 26-09-2006, 23:38

From another forum. Thanks to the contributors, whoever they are:

I dropped into the new airport yestarday on the way home. It is already operational with a few local and international flights using it.

My first impression from the outside is that its a bit ugly but certainly easy to get to and from. Two huge car park buildings have easy walkway access directly to the terminal. The approaches for pick up and drop off are huge and on separate levels for arrivals and departures.

Once inside the building the share size of it is a bit overwhelming. It's laid out on four levels. Level 1 is for public transport, including standard taxis, limousines and shuttle busses. Level 2 is the arrival area. Level 3 has all the services including a wide variety of shops, banks and restaurants. Level 4 is for departures.

None of the services on level three were operational. There is a lot of building activity on this level but it looks like it is mainly finishing work being done. The arrivals and departures area appeared fully operational.

The only limousine service I could find is actually run by AOT the airport authority. It looks like they may be going to run this as a monopoly. They quoted me 900 baht to the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok and 3,000 baht to Pattaya. They are using brand new Toyota Camrys.

Contrary to other reports, there is a normal taxi stand at level 1. Much the same as Don Muang with a booth set up to take your requested destination, write it in Thai on a slip of paper for you to hand to your taxi driver. I spoke to a number of taxi drivers and they all estimated the cost of a trip in to Bangkok as around 200 baht on the meter plus road toll of 50 baht. They all also quoted a fare of 1,050 baht to Pattaya plus tolls of 60 baht. It seems they may have got together on this as everyone is quoting exactly the same price.

Also on level 1 will be access to the train to Bangkok (not operational to till late 2008) and free shuttle busses to the long term car park and bus station. The bus station is about three kilometers away. I did not check out prices or destinations from the bus station.

From the airport to Central Pattaya it is 125 kilometers (about 75 miles). I drive quickly but I am not a maniac. In moderately heavy late afternoon traffic the trip took me one hour and twenty minutes.

MrDK · #17 27-09-2006, 00:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robaht

I have a flight out of the new airport at 00:05 on the 28th, have to check in of course on the 27th. I am not sure if this is the first flight out on the 28th, but it is darn close to it. I'll let you know how it all goes. My biggest concern, really, seems to be finding a taxi in Bangkok that actually knows how to get to the new airport and where to drop me off once we find it!

Wish me luck!!

cheers, Robaht

You should confirm the actual airport of departure, however, it is my understanding that the cut off point is 03h00 (3AM) departures on 28 Oct. If that is correct you would be departing from the old airport. Do confirm.

dawsey · #18 27-09-2006, 02:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrDK

You should confirm the actual airport of departure, however, it is my understanding that the cut off point is 03h00 (3AM) departures on 28 Oct. If that is correct you would be departing from the old airport. Do confirm.

I think you mean 28th Sept MrDK. I hope Robaht gets to read your post in time

or he could have a nasty surprise coming

Spector · #19 27-09-2006, 02:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by faultytowers

If your luggage is "checked through" then you will have to clear customs in Phuket. Don't think there would be much delay in Phuket , as you will be on one of the later flights, shouldn't be too busy. You would still have to wait for your luggage anyway , so by the time you've cleared immigration you shouldn't have long to wait.

From Thai web-site.

Thank you Faultytowers for finding that info on their website. So I do have to wait until Phuket to clear customs.

MrDK · #20 27-09-2006, 02:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsey

I think you mean 28th Sept MrDK. I hope Robaht gets to read your post in time

or he could have a nasty surprise coming

Thank you, yes I meant September. I have Oct on my mind as I will be in BKK then. Need to stick to reality for another week or so.

stevem · #21 27-09-2006, 03:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby

Compared to SG, HK or KL, there are currently no train stations at the airport.

And when HKG and KUL opened there were no trains as well, until afterwards.

Robaht · #22 27-09-2006, 03:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsey

I think you mean 28th Sept MrDK. I hope Robaht gets to read your post in time

or he could have a nasty surprise coming

My travel agent confirmed it was the new airport, but I will call THAI to make sure...will keep you posted! It could be a very interesting night....so I'm going to the airport early enough to get to the "other" airport in time, just in case!!!! Cheers, Robaht

aussie dollar · #23 27-09-2006, 04:03

thai airlines has confirmed I will arrive new airport
10.45pm 28th sept.