Suvanabhumi International Airport is Thailand’s main gateway, although some international flights arrive and depart from other provincial airports such as Chiangmai, Phuket and Samui.
ARRIVING
(Scroll down for departure information)
Visa Exempt, Visa on Arrival and Tourist Visas
Passport holders of the following 40 countries can enter Thailand for up to 30 days without a visa - but please check this link for any updates: http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2490
1. Australia : Commonwealth of Australia
2. Austria : Republic of Austria
3. Belgium : Kingdom of Belgium
4. Brazil : Federative Republic of Brazil (****)
5. Bahrain : State of Bahrain
6. Brunei Darussalam : Negara Brunei Darussalam
7. Canada
8. Denmark : Kingdom of Denmark
9. Finland : Republic of Finland
10. France : French Republic
11. Germany : Federal Republic of Germany
12. Greece : Hellenic Republic
13. Hong Kong : Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
14. Iceland : Republic of Iceland
15. Indonesia : Republic of Indonesia
16. Ireland : Republic of Ireland
17. Israel : State of Israel
18. Italy : Republic of Italy
19. Japan
20. Korea : Republic of Korea (****)
21. Kuwait : State of Kuwait
22. Luxembourg : Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
23. Malaysia
24. Monaco : Principality of Monaco
25. Netherlands : Kingdom of the Netherlands
26. New Zealand
27. Norway : Kingdom of Norway
28. Oman : Sultanate of Oman
29. Peru : Republic of Peru (****)
30. Philippines : Republic of the Philippines
31. Portugal : Republic of Portugal
32. Qatar : State of Qatar
33. Singapore : Republic of Singapore
34. Spain : Kingdom of Spain
35. South Africa : Republic of South Africa
36. Sweden : Kingdom of Sweden
37. Switzerland : Swiss Confederation
38. Turkey : Republic of Turkey
39. United Arab Emirates
40. United Kingdom : United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
41. United States of America
42. Vietnam : Socialist Republic of Vietnam
For these following passport holders, a “Visa on Arrival” is available. After leaving your plane, follow the signs for Immigration, but before you get there you will see a “Visa on Arrival” desk. You’ll need to complete the form, pay a fee and present a recent photo. After that you can proceed to Immigration, and then customs.
1. Bhutan : Kingdom of Bhutan
2. China : People’s Republic of China (including Taiwan)
3. Cyprus : Republic of Cyprus
4. Czech : Czech Republic
5. Estonia : Republic of Estonia
6. Hungary : Republic of Hungary
7. India : Republic of India
8. Kazakhstan : Republic of Kazakhstan
9. Latvia : Republic of Latvia
10. Liechtenstein : Principality of Liechtenstein
11. Lithuania : Republic of Lithuania
12. Maldives : Republic of Maldives
13. Mauritius : Republic of Mauritius
14. Oman : Sultanate of Oman
15. Poland : Republic of Poland
16. Russian Federation
17. Saudi Arabia : Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
18. Slovakia : Slovak Republic
19. Slovenia : Republic of Slovenia
20. Ukraine
Other nationalities, and anyone wishing to stay longer than 30 days may be eligible for a 60 day tourist visa which should be obtained from your nearest Thai Embassy or Consulate (see: http://www.thaiembassy.org/)
Changing Money
After exiting the customs area, you’ll need to change your hard-earned cash for some Thai baht. Look on the right hand side of the arrivals hall and you’ll see several banks that are open 24 hours. They also have ATM machines that accept most overseas cards. ATMs are dual language so you’ll have no problem. There are more banks to the far right at the domestic arrival area.
The banks at the airport, and elsewhere in Thailand, will always give you a better rate of exchange than you can get back home, so don’t waste your time changing money before you leave.
Getting To Your Hotel
There are several options to get you smoothly to your hotel after a long flight.
You could arrange in advance for your hotel to pick you up. If you’ve done that you should see someone holding a card with your name on it in the arrivals hall.
You could use the official Airport Authority (AOT) Limousine service; you’ll see their booths in both the baggage and arrivals hall. They are more expensive than public taxis but you can haggle a bit over rates, and they have modern comfortable saloons and passenger vans.
There is an airport bus service that runs several routes to the main parts of the city. Airport buses leave from near Entrance 8 on the lower concourse. Routs as follows:
• AE 1: Suvarnabhumi Airport-Surawong Rd.-Silom Rd.
Bus stops: at Phetchaburi Soi 30, Central World Plaza, BTS Ratjdamri Station, Lumpini Park, Sala Daeng (on Rama 4 Rd.), Montien Hotel, Tawana Ramada Hotel, Plaza Hotel, Surawong Soi Kamjai Lamsuri, Charoen Krung Soi 47/1, Loet Sin Hospital, Central Silom, Silom Soi 26, Narai Hotel Silom Road next to Soi 18), Sofitel Hotel (Silom Soi 12), Bangkok Bank Silom Road next to Soi 6), BTS Sala Daeng Station
• AE 2: Suvarnabhumi Airport-Khao San Rd.
Bus stops: Phetchaburi Soi 30, Platinum Fashion Mall, Phetchaburi Soi 20, Phetchaburi Soi 10, Uruphong, Saphan Khao, Thai Airways (Lan Luang), Wat Ratchanadda, Democracy Monument, Royal Hotel, National Theatre, Phra Athit Rd, Phra Sumen, Khao San Rd.
• AE 3: Suvarnabhumi Airport-Sukhumvit (Nana)
Bus stops: Sukhumvit Soi 52-50, Phra Khanong Market, Ekkamai Eastern Bus Terminal, Sukhumvit Soi 38, Sukhumvit Soi 34, Sukhumvit Soi 24, Sukhumvit Soi 20, Sukhumvit Soi 18, Sukhumvit Soi 10 (Bangkok Bank), Sukhumvit Soi 6, Sukhumvit Soi 2, Central Chitlom, Central World Plaza, Phetchaburi Soi 25, Phetchaburi Soi 35, Soi Nana
• AE 4: Suvarnabhumi Airport-Hua Lamphong Railway Station
Bus stops: Victory Monument, Soi Rangnam, 99 Hotel, (BTS) Phaya Thai Station, Department of Livestock, (BTS) Ratchathewi Station, Siam Discovery Centre, Ma Boon Khrong (MBK), Chulalongkorn University, Mandarin Hotel, Bangkok Centre Hotel, Hua Lamphong Railway Station.
Public taxis are the final and most popular way to get into town. On the arrival concourse you’ll see a “Public Taxi” desk. Taxis vary from some older vehicles to very new ones, and some van-type taxis ideal for 3-4 people with lots of bags. All taxis run on natural gas and most of the boot (trunk) is taken up with the NG tank.
Tell the supervisor your destination. He will give you a slip of white paper. Hold onto it, do not give it to the driver, as it has instructions on what to do in the unlikely event of any problem.
When you get into the taxi, make sure the meter is on and showing 35 baht. On arrival at your hotel, you’ll have to pay the fare on the meter, plus an airport surcharge of 50 baht that is not shown on the meter. In addition there are expressway tolls of 70 baht for most city center destinations.
Airport Rail Link
An airport express rail link is under construction and is expected to go into service in early 2009.
Left Luggage/Baggage Storage
There is a secure baggage storage center operated by Chubb on the 2nd floor, next to the Tourist Assistance Center. Rates are 100 baht per piece per 24 hours, and all sealed bags or packages must be opened for inspection before being accepted.
Lost Bags
Thai Airways “Baggage Center” is in the arrivals hall near the domestic arrival area.
Tourist Information/Hotel Bookings
There is a Tourist Information booth and a Thai Hotels Association booth in the arrivals hall, plus a Tourist Police Assistance Center on the 2nd floor.
Eating and Drinking
The arrivals hall has a number of kiosks selling hot and cold drinks and snacks. On the 2nd floor there are a dozen or so cafe type eateries offering a range of light meals.
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DEPARTING
When you are travelling from Bangkok to other major cities in Thailand, or going home (Oh, please don’t go!), you will most often go via Suvananbhumi International Airport.
Getting There
The airport rail link is not yet completed, but is expected to be ready in 2009. It will provide a fast and easy way to get to the airport from the city center.
Your hotel can arrange a transfer but be sure to check the price in advance. This is often the most convenient way to get smoothly to Suvanabhumi.
The Airport Bus service may suit you if there’s a route close to your hotel. Click the Airport Bus link on the right under “Road & Rail”.
Public taxis are reliable and safe. You can either flag one down, or ask your hotel to call one (there may be a small extra charge). Make sure that the meter is on and showing 35 baht. If it’s not, tap the driver on the shoulder, point to the meter, and say “meter”, he’ll understand. Your destination is Suvanabhumi airport, but what you need to say to the driver is “Soo-wanna-boom”. If you say “airport” you may end up at the wrong one!
Checking In
These days, most airlines ask you to check in a minimum of two hours before departure, so allow plenty of time. Check in lines can be long during peak season and at weekends.
You’ll need your ticket, and your passport, which must be valid for the country you’re flying to. If you’re going back home, that won’t be a problem, but if you’re flying elsewhere, make sure you’ve got at least 6 months validity left, and any visa needed, or the airline may refuse to carry you.
Even when flying to other parts of Thailand, you’ll need to produce your passport as proof of your identity.
Baggage limits are generally 20kg for economy class and 30kg for business class. Budget airlines limit economy passengers to 15kg, and some make an additional handling charge per checked in piece.
Check in desks for Thai Airways international flights close 10 minutes before departure. Budget carriers close their check in desks 45 minutes before departure and will not allow you on board if you arrive late.
