Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Ways to Suvarnabhumi Airport – New Thailand International Airport

By Siripong T.

Suvarnabhumi Airport is a new international airport of Thailand opening since September 2006. The word “Suvarnabhumi” means the land of gold. Since the old international airport of Thailand named Don Muang Airport is very old and small. It cannot be expanded to build more buildings and runways. Also, it is located in the city where many people live around, and the traffic is very bad in rush hours. The new international airport, Suvarnabhumi, serves all needs and solves those problems at Don Muang Airport. The new airport is located around 50 kilometers away from the center of Bangkok metropolitan area. Currently, the sky train is being built to transport passengers from the center of Bangkok to the airport. It is very fast and convenient.
Before the sky train will be used in few years, there are currently five ways to get to Suvarnabhumi International Airport. In the south of the airport, there is a big four-lane road connecting to Bangna-Trad road and Burapawitee express way. People can get to the airport terminal using this way by Service Road, passing Long-term parking lots, Public Transportation Center, and turn to the road to the terminal. This is one of the main ways to get to the international airport especially those automobiles which come from Chalerm Mahanakorn express way (first Bangkok express way) or from Bang Plee, Pak Nam or Sam Rong areas.
In the northeast of the airport, another big four-lane road is connected to On-Nuch road. People can get to the airport from this road and use airport road to Service Road. Then pass the Long-term parking lots and Public Transportation Center, and turn to the road to the airport terminal. For people who come from Srinakarin road, they can also use this way.
In the west of airport, there is a big four-lane road connecting to King Kaew road. It is one of the ways from Teparak road. People can use this way from Bangplee-Ladkrabang road and turn to King Kaew road. This road is under construction.
In the northwest of the airport, a big six-lane road is connected to escalated Rom Klao road and King Kaew road. People can use this way by passing Duty Free Area and turning to the road to the terminal. This is the main way for the automobiles from On-nuch road, Suvintawong road and Chalongkrung road. Trucks from Ladkrabang industrial area and ICD on Chao Khun Taharn road can also use this way to the new airport.
In the north of the airport, an escalated wide eight-lane road is connected to Motorway. This road brings people to the front of the terminal directly. The road will expand to ten lanes when getting to the airport area. This is the biggest and main way to the international airport. It is very convenient for people who would like to park their own vehicles coming from the northern area of Bangkok including Rangsit, Ram intra and Ramkamhang. People can drive to the Motorway from the outer ring road, Rama 9 road and Srirach express way.