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Pattaya residents take the new airport for a test drive
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PMTV is the first to catch the thoughts of those taking part in the day’s events
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BCCT and GTCC wait for election to restore confidence
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Pattaya residents take the new airport for a test drive
‘Passengers’ mill about in
the vast departures hall
by John Langan
Thursday morning, July 27, a group of seventy-six intrepid and curious
Pattaya City residents boarded two buses for a tour of the new
Suvarnabhumi Airport. The main purpose of the tour, apart from
sightseeing, was to give the new staff at the airport the opportunity to
practice checking in arriving passengers and to discover any problems.
There were a few problems. For example, it’s a long walk from the ticket
counter to the international departure gates. Maybe the solution to this
issue is for the passengers to either go up or down to the next floor
where there are moving sidewalks or for the airport construction
engineers to install another moving sidewalk on that level. Also, the
new staff at the ticket counters failed to inform passengers to go to
the immigration counters, which were not set up yet and then to the
passport control counters. The ticket counter staff will learn from this
experience. Another problem was that the signage was confusing, but this
can be easily fixed. The object of this tour was to discover these minor
problems and for everyone to learn.
My overall opinion is that you are going to love this new airport
because it’s easy, convenient, secure, safe, fun, exciting, so beautiful
and, at the moment at least, quiet and peaceful. It’s less than a two
hour drive from Pattaya to Suvarnabhumi Airport and adequate signage has
already been installed on the expressways to direct incoming traffic.
A passenger goes through
the checking-in procedure at the new airport
The Suvarnabhumi Airport has the tallest air traffic
control tower in the world and sports a dramatic front entrance which is
flanked by life sized bronze statues. There is plenty of parking and
it’s only a short walk from the car park to the entrance to the airport.
There is also an airport hotel located on site too.
The general impression one gets is that of a grand and huge world-class
facility. The primary colors inside the airport are a light gray and
white. The airport has very high ceilings and high-tech glass windows
from floor to ceiling and with the mostly natural lighting it gives one
the feeling of space.
The front doors are extra wide with two traditional doors on either side
of one huge revolving door. The huge revolving door is big enough for a
large number of people who might be towing their luggage. My girlfriend
and I also loved the intricate etching on the glass doors.
Upon entering the airport, the high tech, lighted departure display is
the next thing that you will notice. It is easy to see and decipher and
will be a huge improvement on the Don Muang version. The many airline
ticket and baggage check in counters are divided into ordered rows with
clear lettering and numbers, so it’s going to be a piece of cake to find
the correct aisle. The counters are all within easy walking distance and
if you need a wheelchair, there will be plenty of them available at the
curb outside.
Another thing that first time visitors need to consider is the huge size
of this airport. Make sure you allow yourself extra time for several
reasons. You are going to love the beautiful and fanciful gardens with
all kinds of wonderful things in them like ceramic flying doves and
Royal long boats. In some areas I was able to enjoy the quiet music and
the water fountains and the plumes of water - in other areas the giant
colorful Thai statues. It’s very dramatic, beautiful and exciting. My
girlfriend particularly liked the shopping facilities on site...
husbands and boyfriends beware! Also, there is an observation deck on
the top floor and several restaurants. Smoking is allowed in special,
sectioned off smoking rooms.
So relax my friends, don’t worry and be happy that Thailand now has a
new, fun, exciting and beautiful world-class airport. Let’s fly
somewhere after the Suvarnabhumi Airport has its grand opening in
September.
PMTV is the first to catch the thoughts of
those taking part in the day’s events
A well known face to Pattaya residents, Su from PMTV was also on the organized trip to Suvarnabhumi and on the return back to Pattaya, she spoke to some of those who took part in the day’s trial run and asked them for their overall first impressions of the new airport. Here’s what they had to say:
Horst Schumm, organised the trip for the
visitors from Pattaya. |
Peter: “It was an
enjoyable day. Many things need to be improved to be able to open on
the set date. Check-in counters and the personnel being informed
correctly about the procedures etc.” |
Richard: “It was a good trial run. Great
infrastructure and engineering.” |
Yupadee: “Had great
fun, but very exhausting. It’s very big. I couldn’t see the toilets.
I’m very proud that Thailand has developed so much.” |
Alex: “It’s such a good experience to
see an airport before it’s open. The signs are a bit low and I
couldn’t see toilets but it’s an amazing place though. Thailand has
something it can be proud of.” |
David: “It’s one of
the biggest airports I’ve ever seen in the world.” |
Su also got a chance to talk to Hans Joachim Klohs, Vice
President Central Infrastructure, Traffic and Operational Planning of Munich
Airport who is part of the team helping to organize the transfer of
operations to the new airport from Don Muang. She asked him about his
organizations role and how things were proceeding in the countdown to the
airports official opening in September.
Su talks to Hans Joachim
Klohs.
“ Our role is to provide assistance to Airports Of Thailand in integrating
external partners into the program. We develop trial operations and testing
of airport systems, facilities and procedures, and operational trials and
make sure that at least 90% of the problems are detected beforehand and
corrected.
“On the logistics part, we provide planning in detail. What goods and
equipment can be moved before and after the opening date, and what are to be
moved during the last critical hours.”
When asked about the trial operation obstacles, Hans said:
“The key players are important, these are the airline staff and trial
passengers. When the staff come for the trial and the systems don’t work,
they don’t want to come back. We have to explain how important these
rehearsals are. After a week they usually realize how many obstacles they
face each time.
“Another problem is that we do the trial operation while construction is
still going on, it disturbs everyone, but just has to be done.”
Mr. Hans said the major difference between Munich airport and here, is the
size.
“In Munich, we worked for the capacity of 12 million passengers. Here, it is
for 45 million. Other points are similar everywhere. We are always running
against time to make it for the opening while construction is still going
on.
“In Munich airport, 8 weeks before the opening, construction completion did
not look as good as Suvarnabhumi now, so we are quite confident that it will
make it.”
BCCT and GTCC wait for election to restore confidence
But enjoying a few wines in the interim
The combined British (BCCT) and German (GTCC) Chambers of Commerce met at
Raimon Land’s 29th floor Northshore penthouse last weekend, with much of the
discussions between the chamber members being that of the current ‘in limbo’
political situation, while enjoying the spectacular panorama which could be
seen from that lofty perch. However, this was done in a most convivial
atmosphere, with several bottles of both white and red wines, which were
supplied by Raimon Land, being consumed, plus a wonderful selection of
finger food from the Amari Orchid resort’s Mantra Restaurant.
Stefan Buerkle, the chief of the GTCC Business Economics and Advisory
Division stated plainly that adverse financial effects were being
experienced by his members who were selling directly within Thailand, as
purchasing power and confidence had gone down with the current situation.
On the other side, Greg Watkins, the executive director of the BCCT, did not
feel there had been quite as much direct local effects, but agreed with
Stefan Buerkle that it would require more than just a new Election
Commission to restore confidence, and that he felt it would need a stable
government to be formed after the election currently slated for October.
More upbeat was Andrew Wood, GM of Chaophya Park Hotels and Resorts, who
felt that in the Eastern Seaboard area there was actually great optimism, as
a result of the forthcoming Skål International World Congress to be held in
Pattaya in October. The spin-off from this will be an increase in tourist
numbers from 2007 onwards.
Henri Young, the director of marketing from Raimon Land was also upbeat,
citing an increase a Grade A condominiums in the Pattaya region, with supply
being subsequent to demand. The opening of the Suvarnabhumi airport would
also increase the interest in Pattaya as a region, and his group had already
sold much of their new venture, the Northpoint in Wong Amat.
But as mentioned before, many who are currently riding the storm were really
down in Pattaya to enjoy themselves, this being the city to be able to do
just that. Ingeborg Klose and Jack Eckelmans from Peerapat Industrial
Chemicals were both seen enjoying consumable chemicals of the grape
derivation, while Remy Maeder from Engynova, T. David Hodgkinson from
Emerald Capital Asia and Pat Gossett from Transpo Tigers more into beverages
derived from hops and water.
By the way, if anyone wishes to purchase the Northshore Penthouse it is
available for 90 million baht, that is fully cleaned after the two chambers
had finished spilling, dropping and leaving mucky fingerprints.
The combined British (BCCT) and German (GTCC)
Chambers of Commerce indulged in a most satisfying and fruitful networking
evening on the 29th floor penthouse at Northshore.
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