The official opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok’s new international airport, on 28 September 2006, gives new impetus to the country’s quest to make Bangkok and Thailand the aviation hub of the region.

'Suvarnabhumi' means 'Golden Land' and was named by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand (Rama IX).  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 metres, the passenger terminal is currently the largest in the world. The airport also features the world's longest runway, 75.3 metres by 4,000 metres long and the world’s tallest control tower, 132.2 metres high, providing the best visual coverage of overall airside.

Suvarnabhumi Airport is located east of Bangkok and is approximately 25 kms from the Bangkok metropolis.  It will take around one hour and 15 minutes to drive from the airport to the popular seaside town of Pattaya.

As of 28 September 2006, Suvarnabhumi Airport replaces Don Muang airport as Bangkok's primary airport for all commercial airline flights.

For more info on the airport, click here

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