The new Bangkok International Airport
The new Bangkok International Airport, situated 25 kms east of Bangkok, is scheduled to officially open on 28 September 2006. The Suvarnabhumi Airport’s opening is expected to go ahead as scheduled despite recent setbacks such as last week’s power outage and the recent Hat Yai bombings. The airport currently uses NBK as its IATA airport code, but will inherit BKK from Bangkok International Airport. (I would normally link to the airport’s site, but it’s unfortunately ‘down’ at the time of writing.)
Swampy, as it’s affectionately known amongst the expats, is to the east of Bangkok, and as such is much more convenient for Pattaya than Don Muang. You can do the journey from Pattaya in less than an hour and a half by bus and probably less by taxi (if you don’t mind risking life and limb with a crazy driver). It takes about half an hour from Sukhumvit, Bangkok.
There’s a good range of fast food outlets before you go through the passport control and a couple of nice places to eat on the other side too. There’s all the usual expensive duty free offerings and a couple of small bookshops. As airports go, it’s not bad at all.