Changes made at Suvarnabhumi Airport to improve service

Ministry of Transport Permanent Secretary Wanchai Sarathulthat yesterday stressed that Suvarnabhumi Airport will run as smoothly as Bangkok International Airport (Don Muang) within two months.

“By November, the staff will be accustomed to the new facility. Working at as much as 80 percent of its maximum capacity, the new airport will be as reliable as Don Muang,” said Wanchai after chairing a meeting among airport agencies to discuss problems during Suvarnabhumi’s first few days of full operations.

To assess Suvarnabhumi’s efficiency, Wanchai followed passengers who were making their way through the arrival hall. He observed passengers being inconvenienced by a duty free shop that blocked access to the customs and immigration booths.

As a result, he requested that Airports of Thailand Plc. (AOT) officials negotiate with the owners about possibly removing the shop.

Other changes include parking fees being removed for another month and more chairs being installed in both the arrival and departure halls. Ten new x-ray machines will also be put in place to help reduce congestion.

In response to multiple complaints about the airport’s network, Suvarnabhumi General Manager Somchai Sawasdeepon said the AOT is working closely with mobile phone service providers in installing equipment to improve signal clarity.

There have also been a number of complaints about taxis not using their meters to charge travelers to and from the airport. Director-General of the Land Transport Department Piyapan Champasut suggests that travelers note down the taxi’s plate number and driver’s name if there is a violation.

“Consumers can report the incident to the department by calling 1584. Staff will be assigned to receive complaints around the clock. If found guilty, the driver will face serious penalties,” said Piyapan.