Touchdown in Bangkok: Unveiling the Magic of Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)

May 8, 2017

Introduction:

Firstly, here’s an intriguing fact about Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport: it boasts the world’s tallest control tower, standing at an impressive height of 132.2 meters! Suvarnabhumi Airport earned its name from King Bhumibol Adulyadej, which translates to “The Golden Land.” In 2016, it served a staggering 55 million passengers, surpassing Bogota El Dorado Airport by over 20 million passengers and trailing behind London Heathrow by just under 19 million passengers.

My Experience:

As the plane taxied to the gate, I couldn’t help but admire the terminal’s beautiful design, resembling gentle sea waves. I’m quite certain my sister Adriana, being a brilliant architect, would appreciate it too.

Upon disembarking, I encountered modern and impeccably clean facilities. Navigating through the airport was a breeze, thanks to the excellent signage throughout. I had already filled out my arrival and exit card, a thoughtful gesture from the Eva Air flight attendants distributed on board.

Upon reaching passport control, I was delighted to find an almost empty queue, a stroke of luck as I’m not particularly fond of waiting in lines. The immigration officer greeted me with unexpected politeness, offering a rare smile. I handed over my passport and forms, and he efficiently checked them. Within a minute, he returned my passport and departure card, both duly stamped, and pointed me towards the luggage collection area.

Upon reaching the baggage carousel, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that my suitcase was the lone occupant on the conveyor belt. Perhaps my tardiness in disembarking and a brief stop at the ladies’ room contributed to this stroke of luck. Without any delay, I grabbed my bag and exited the area. I must admit, I’ve never experienced such swift and efficient airport immigration in my entire life!

After clearing the security area and exchanging some money at the airport (I’d advise against it, as the rates are at least 2 baht less than in the city centre), my next task was to find a good deal on a SIM card for my mobile. The process was surprisingly straightforward, with several options to choose from. Thanks to local advice from Kay on Couchsurfing, I already knew which one to go for—DTAC. The deal I opted for was unlimited 4G internet for 15 days at 599 baht! This is amazing; I really wish we had such offers in Colombia. It would make my family visits much more convenient. So far, DTAC has provided flawless connectivity.

I followed the signs to the train station, descended to the ground floor, and boarded the SA City Line train. The entire process was quick and smooth. The ticket cost 45 baht, precisely as indicated in the Lonely Planet guide. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket machines or the ticket office. I received a red plastic coin, which I later realised was my train ticket. After a 35-minute journey with six intermediate stations, I arrived at Phaya Thai station.

The signs at this station were rather confusing, and I mistakenly exited on the wrong side. Eventually, I reached a taxi stand and arranged for a taxi. At the start of the journey, I noticed the driver didn’t turn on the meter, so I politely asked him to do so. His response was, “No, no, no, too much traffic.” Having read in the Lonely Planet guide that some taxi drivers might do this, I asked again, inquiring about the cost of my journey. He replied, “500 baht.” A quick Google search revealed that the estimate should be around 150 baht. I informed him of the correct fare and insisted he use the meter. After a moment, he smiled and said in a soft voice, “200 baht.” Knowing my weakness for a big smile, I sighed and went along with it.

My Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Airport Rating (1-5*)