Suvarnabhumi airport has scored another surprise honour that caught industry observers off guard.
This time around, Bangkok's gateway airport was named the world's best in a vote conducted by eDreams, a Barcelona-based global e-commerce travel firm.
Suvarnabhumi beat long-time stars like Singapore's Changi, Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok and South Korea's Incheon, which have been at the top of other global charts produced by the likes of Airports Council International (ACI) and Skytrax.
Based on thousands of eDreams customer reviews from those who passed through the terminals of airports in 2012, Suvarnabhumi was the overall winner, scoring 4.61 out of a possible 5.
"Many customers commented favourably about the modernity of the facilities, the overall comfort level and cleanliness, the excellent treatment received, and the express access to Bangkok city centre on the airport's railway link network," eDreams said in a release.
In rankings issued last month by ACI, Suvarnabhumi rose to become the world's sixth best for airports that handle more than 40 million passengers a year, up from seventh in 2011.
Rated by ACI as the world's top five airports of that size were, in order of ranking, Singapore (Changi), Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai (Pudong) and Guangzhou.
In all, 17 airports took part in ACI's Airport Service Quality contest in the 40-million-plus category.
A jubilant Vilaiwan Nadvilai, Suvarnabhumi's general manager, said yesterday that the accolade was down to a collaboration of 200 organisations involved in airport operations.
Those units, including various state agencies, airlines and retailers, have striven to enhance service quality to meet the rising expectations of travellers, she said.