|
|
Suvarnabhumi Pre-Opening - A raging craze
|
|
|
The Airports of Thailand (AoT) and Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) are
offering hour-long tours of the airport - six tours daily - starting 9am until
2:30pm.
"Currently we have around 400 visitors daily and the number more than triples on
weekends," said an airport staff. They come in all sorts, ranging from
three-month-old toddlers to older people with walking sticks. Built on 20,000
rai, the airport off Km 15 on Bang Na-Trad Highway has become a raging
attraction for Bangkokians and others in its vicinity.
The tour is confined to the international departure and arrival lounges.
Visitors are led in groups of 30-60 people. Showing them around are student
guides posted at various points of interest.
"The air traffic controller tower is 132.2 metres tall, the highest in the
world," said a guide.
The building design, construction materials used and its glass walls ensure
optimum energy saving. The main building occupying 563,000 square metres can
withstand magnitude 9 earthquakes.
On display are sculptures built at a cost of 48 million baht depicting a scene
from the epic Ramayana in which angels and demons churn the oceans for holy
water.
There is a 30-metre-long painting by contemporary artist Panya Vijinthanasarn at
the arrival lounge, 12 six-metre-tall sculptures of demons, 142 immigration
counters and 22 luggage conveyor belts.
When operational, the new airport will be capable of handling 45 million
passengers and 6.4 million tons of cargo annually. It is configured to handle
112 flights per hour.
Suvarnabhumi International airport is scheduled to open officially on September
28.
Visitors need to produce ID card or student card, after which student guides
will show them around the premises. You can drive to the new airport or take
public buses. BMTA offers a choice of six routes with detour to nearby provinces
that were launched last weekend.
Here are the routes:
- 8am-5pm: From Bangkhen bus terminal to the airport, followed by a visit to
nine temples in Chachoengsao. Fare is 259 baht. To book, call 02-552-0885.
- 8am-6pm: From Fashion Island, Raminthra, to the airport, followed by visit to
Bangsaen Beach in Chon Buri. Fare is 259 baht. To book, call 02-919-8711-3.
- 8am-4pm: From Victory Monument (near Fashion Mall) to the airport, followed by
a visit to the Crocodile Farm in Samut Prakan. Fare is 199 baht. To book, call
02-249-4389.
- 8am-3pm: From Victory Monument (in front of Pong Lee Restaurant) to the
airport, followed by attractions in Chachoengsao. Fare is 250 baht, including
food and drinks. To book, call 02-948-3681.
- 8am-6pm: From Wat Muang bus terminal in Bang Khae to the airport, followed by
attractions in Chachoengsao and Bangsaen Beach. Fare is 270 baht. To book, call
02-454-1193.
- 8:30am-4pm: From Central Department Store, Rama II branch, to the airport,
followed by a visit to the Ancient City or Muang Boran in Samut Prakan. Fare is
379 baht, including drinks. To book, call 02-896-2344. |
 Novotel
Bangna Bangkok
Perfectly located in the industrial and Corporate area of Bangkok, closest hotel
to BITEC Exhibition Center and the new Bangkok International Airport, surrounded
by shopping mall and 15 International golf courses. |
 SC
Park Hotel
Unlike most hotel in Bangkok SC Park Hotel is a low-rise, six-storey
contemporary Thai-style structure built amidst 11 rai of greenery, creating
a perfect harmony with nature. Guests also have an easy access to the new
airport, golf courses and major routes in Bangkok |
|
|
Sightseeing Tour of the month |
Bangkok - Temples and City
Come and visit Bangkok resplendent in all of
its fascinating culture! This tour will take you to three of the most
distinguished temples in Bangkok, the most impressive being the Wat Trimitr,
the temple of the Golden Buddha. The statue is made from solid Gold weighing
5.5tons! Also see the temple of the reclining Buddha and last, but not
least, the Wat Benchamabopit or the marble temple. A trip not to be missed!
More Bangkok Sightseeing Tours
|
|
