What's wrong with two airports?

[Sean Moran]

I remember so clearly in full colour the palm trees alongside the hangars as we landed. On the left where I could see out the porthole.

I believe that today marks the 63rd anniversary of a very important man's accession to the throne of the land where I remember those palm trees flashing by. I see how these two essences might work together, although I didn't know how to think it then and I don't know how to write it now.

---o0o--- <-- my pretend aeroplane.

I can't play golf for schite, but as for those palm trees, well I reckon that there's something in that for all of us, don't you?

[stilljustbrowsing]

If you want to see the most picturesque airport in the world, go to Labuan. (off the north west coast of Borneo)
BTW, I also do not play golf, but I don't mind driving a 'souped up one!

[Sean Moran]

Do you mean the ones with the engine in the back? Oh goly, although you did mention something about being Eurpoean so I suppose you prefer the stick-shift to the good old T-Bar auto, but ain't that golf all the way, eh Ferdinand?


Labuan, Borneo. That's the big island north-east of Jakarta, isn't it? I've flown into Brunei before once - Bering something or other airport. We came in over some spendid mountain ranges at around 6:30am and if that's the same Borneo I am thinking of then I'd agree. Beautiful, and not too sweaty in the cabin of an air-cond airbus at 15,000 feet.


Am I on the right island and if so, is it on the east or west sides? I have no maps here in the dark to check but I will remember the name of Labuan because somebody who probably knows about these things has told me so.

---o0o---

Sorry, North-West. Now I have it. I'd guess if I remember where Borneo is, that it is somewhere near to Brunei?

[stilljustbrowsing]

You got it. It is an island 25 minutes flight or two and a half hours boat ride from Brunei.

[puzzled]

Yesterday I went to a Bangkok Bank to get a replacement passbook. (I need my passbook front page to get paid by a new part time job). So I went into the Bangkok Bank in the building where my main job is. They told me I had to go to my own branch. I said but I opened this account at Don Muang Airport branch years ago. They told me the airport branch was still open. So I went to Don Muang Airport. I went inside and the feeling was odd, just odd. The place looked like an airport ready to open, but there were no people at all except for a few cleaning people in the whole of terminal 1 of the international part. I walked to the hallway connecting Terminal 1 and 2 and sure enough, there amidst the darkness was a Bangkok Bank. I entered and there were about 6 people working there, currency exchange open, and absolutely no customers. Well I didn't get my passbook because they said I had to go to a police station and lie to them that my passbook was stolen. (It wasn't I just can't find it.) I took the time to look at the airport again before I left. It is still better looking and more inviting without lights and devoid of activity than that place they now call the airport. It is ready to go, even has a bank! I, for one, vote for two airports...somehow. I saw also that the Krueng Thai bank still has a branch as does the Thai Military Bank in the old International airport. I hope the banks know something we don't.

[stilljustbrowsing]

Yeah, I pass the airport (DM) every day I go to work and can not help thinking "what a waste".
I do think that when the economy picks up again, the airport will become fully international again.
Looking at it rationally, there is no immediate incentive to forge ahead with the Cobra Swamp expansion, and really, why should they do so when they already have an airport that can cope with an increase wth all types of aircraft transportation?
It is also convieniently close to Bangkok central. Such a shame the Hopewell Project was never completed.

[timjackelton]

Two airports is the perfect solution. After 20 years of flying heavy aircraft, I have some knowledge of the ins and outs of airports and aviation matters. First, expanding Suvarnabhumi will not only be costly but cause more friction with nearby residents, resulting in more delays. Suvarnabhumi will reach capacity in no time at all, when the tourism gets back to normal. Second, having a second airport in a city this size makes sense to relieve congestion and as a back up. The current crop of politicians are not only inept but have absolutely no knowledge of how the aviation system runs. I need only cite the stupid remarks made by the Transportation Ministry when the crash occurred at Phuket last year. That Minister may no longer be there, but the replacement is just as inept. Ministers in this country are assigned by political pull and not for their knowledge of the position.

Well said and sums up the argument perfectly from someone who knows. I think many International passengers have fond memories of (VTBD) Don Mueang, for me personally, I still prefer it over the new airport because of its location.

My wish is to see it re-open for International flights, say for low cost carriers that would further the choice for tourists.
It is my view Bangkok can support two International gateways, and create new jobs, a vital boost for Thailand's economy.

Suvarnabhumi (VTBS) has been a disaster from day one, a good airport if you are going to Pattaya or a near by province in the south east. As I said VTBD is better located for a cheap quick ride via Taxi to the city or transfer the the Northern Bus station where you can travel onwards to destinations not serviced by the airlines.

It is my view some mainstream airlines would prefer VTBD as it offers less congestion saving precious fuel, suggesting some would be happy to move back pronto.

As they say in the movies, Location Location Location, so sure Bangkok could support two airports. TG has been so badly mismanaged why should the tourist industry suffer because TG can not make it happen at both airports. Use NOK at VTBD and let TG go back to Suvarnabhumi if they cant handle the heat. How many times does TG leave you after a long haul flight out in the middle of nowhere with no airbridge, where you have to truck it to the terminal at Suvarnabhumi? Answer many times.

[framptn1972]

Chicago, New York and others can do it.
I told my wife after our last visit and first flight thru Bhumi that I wouldn't mind living somewhere near the outskirts of Bangkok and the new airport. Her family, who live in the heart of the city, wants us to come and live there and instead of live out near Nakon Pathom maybe live near the new airport. I'm sure in the next 10-20 years it would be more developed and we could be established in the area and maybe run a profitable business.

Many years ago Nashville Berry Field was on the outskirts of town, but now is almost central to the metropolitan area with another convenient airpot capable of handling flights 10 miles South in Smyrna, TN.

[Uncle Jon]

To give an example of a city supporting two airports, let's take a quick look at Houston. There are two notable airports that serve the Houston, Texas area. Bush Intercontinetal on the north side of Houston is predominantly just that, an international gateway. It does serve domestic flights as well but, the other airport that I will mention next does not. Hobby airport is the domestic flight airport.
It may be that Thailand does not have heavy enough air traffic to support a strictly domestic flight airport however; I would speculate that it could use the smaller airport for domestic and a certain amount of close region flights. The major international traffic would flow through the "new" one.
The advantage? In the case of Houston, know that going through the smaller airport is much, much faster. Parking is easier, you can generally arrive to the airport later for your flight (within reason of course). Going to the international airport, you know it's going to take longer and be more of an effort overall.
Thinking about the current economical situation, it's also better for the local economy in Thailand. Two airports support additional jobs. That by itself, is a good reason I would think...

[villager]

To give an example of a city supporting two airports, let's take a quick look at Houston. There are two notable airports that serve the Houston, Texas area. Bush Intercontinetal on the north side of Houston is predominantly just that, an international gateway. It does serve domestic flights as well but, the other airport that I will mention next does not. Hobby airport is the domestic flight airport.
It may be that Thailand does not have heavy enough air traffic to support a strictly domestic flight airport however; I would speculate that it could use the smaller airport for domestic and a certain amount of close region flights. The major international traffic would flow through the "new" one.
The advantage? In the case of Houston, know that going through the smaller airport is much, much faster. Parking is easier, you can generally arrive to the airport later for your flight (within reason of course). Going to the international airport, you know it's going to take longer and be more of an effort overall.
Thinking about the current economical situation, it's also better for the local economy in Thailand. Two airports support additional jobs. That by itself, is a good reason I would think...

Try this one for size what,s wrong with airports here in Thailand, for one, SCAMS a go go, and if I may add this is NOT A one off , http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8154497.stm