Experiencing Suvarnabumi Airport On Its First Day!

Bangkok's new airport - Suvarnabumi International Airport - celebrated its opening on 28 Spetember 2006. And yours truly was among the first to pass through the gates of this new airport! Muhahahaha!

And I completely forgotten that I would have a chance at being able to fly from the new airport when I got my secretary to book my flight!

Anticipating teething problems in the initial stages of its opening, and numerous news reports on possible massive traffic jams leading up to the airport, I checked in for my flight by 3pm. And my flight was only at 7.15pm.

I'm ashamed of how kiasu I am.

Despite all the predictions of nightmarish traffic jams caused by confused drivers and intensive last-minute delivery of airport equipment, long check-in queues and delayed luaggage transfers from check-in counters to the plane, our flight was only delayed for 45 minutes.

I was stuck in the check-in queue after passing through the departure gates for over 30 minutes although the queue was actually quite short. I suspected that the computer terminals were not functioning well cos there was a few frantic staff running around to each computer terminal.

I wouldn't have minded the wait, but the still air in the hall made things rather uncomfortable. I could feel the aircon, but the warmth from the sun shining through the glass panels gave a glass-house effect. To think I had actually sweated!

You see, it takes quite a bit of activity to make me sweat. I used to get slapped with extended warm-up exercises from my Muay Thai master cos he thought I wasn't warming up enough since I did not sweat. Gah.

So imagine how stuffy it was in the check-in hall!

After checking in, I had loads of time to stroll through the massive structure and do some window-shopping at the duty-free shops. There are many branded shops at this airport terminal!

And I was so tempted to buy a pretty Givenchy bag I saw... but I slapped myself quite a bit to prevent me from yielding to temptation. I could not afford another splurge cos I blew S$350 on a pretty Gucci card-holder at the Changi Airport duty-free shops before I took my flight from Singapore to Bangkok.

Josh wasn't the happiest man on earth when he discovered my purchase. He declared that our Taipei holiday shall be cancelled due to my splurge. I hate him. Nah. I love him. A lot. I'm sure we'll still go on to have our year-end holiday.

Verdict on the Suvarnabumi Airport: Too much steel and it looks like the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and the Hong Kong International Airport. I still love Changi Airport - it feels more cosy.


My departure from the new airport was not the only surprise I had in this trip to Bangkok. The Director of Sales & Marketing for Holiday Inn Silom, where I stayed, had so graciously upgraded my room to the Executive Level. So my room - and the bathroom - was nice and spacious. Although the facilities were not the most updated, but the sheer size of the room made up for it.

Being on the Executive Floor gave me several privileges. I had an Executive Lounge at my disposal. I could have complimentary breakfast in privacy at the lounge. I could enjoy tea-time snacks. I could also have free cocktails and liquer in the evenings.

Alas, my full-day trade shows and subsequent evening functions did not allow me to take advantage of the lovely tea-time delicacies and evening booze.

Gah! So much for the goodies.

Oh well, at least I was invited to hosted dinners and parties. Hehe.

Free drinks at hosted parties!

If you do go to Bangkok, you should pop by Siam Niramit and catch their theatre shows. It has rather interesting indoor special effects. In one act, part of the stage was transformed into a freaking river! The actors surprised me when they dived in for a swim! And like Beyonce's performance on a previous MTV Music Awards, it actually rained on stage!


Oh oh oh! And I managed to get my dose of tom kha gai.

As I wasn't able to find time to go to Pathumwan Princess for tom kha gai, I had to settle for the one at Pan Pacific where I had gone for a late night supper and drinks with my boss. The one from Pathumwan Princess was still the best!

I'll be flying back to Thailand next week for my very first BIG project with my current employer. I have been preparing for the Travel Awards - a Grammy-equivalent for the travel industry - since March! I can't wait for it to happen. Once it is over I'll be more relaxed.

And perhaps this time, I will be able to find time to roam Bangkok a bit!