About Suvarnabhumi Airport (Thailand's new
International Airport)
The official opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok’s new
international airport, on September 28, 2006, gives new impetus to
the country’s quest to make Bangkok and Thailand the aviation hub of
the region.
Named 'Suvarnabhumi' (meaning 'Golden Land') by His Majesty King
Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand (Rama IX), the development of
Suvarnabhumi Airport as the aviation hub of the region is of
strategic importance to Thailand’s future and is a priority on the
‘national agenda’.
During the initial phase of operation, the north section of the
airport will accommodate 45 million passengers per year, 76 flights
per hour and 3 million tons of cargo handling per year. After the
final phase, this will rise to 100 million passengers a year.
At 563,000 square meters, the passenger terminal is currently the
largest in the world. The airport also features the world's longest
runway, 75.3 meters by 4,000 meters long and the world’s tallest
control tower, 132.2 meters high, providing the best visual coverage
of overall airside.
When in full operation, the airport will help boost Thailand’s
economic, social, communication, and tourism development, and
advance the government policy of making Thailand an aviation hub in
Southeast Asia.
Suvarnabhumi Airport is located at Km. 15 (15th kilometre milestone)
on the east-bound Bangna-Trat Highway in Bang Phli district, Samut
Prakan province, east of Bangkok. The airport is approximately 25
kms from the Bangkok metropolis.
As of September 28, 2006, Suvarnabhumi Airport replaces Don Muang
airport as Bangkok's primary airport for all commercial airline
flights.
Suvarnabhumi Airport is operated by The Airports of Thailand Public
Company Limited (AOT). In addition to the new Bangkok international
airport, AOT operates four other international airports in Thailand
– Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Phuket and Chiang Rai.
