It appears that Bangkok Airways will remain at Suvarnabhumi Airport as they have spent a lot of money on their new facility.
I believe whoever is a domestic carrier at Suvarnabhumi Airport will have a definite advantage over those at Don Muang.
I also thing that the partial move will be very confusing, either move them all (domestic flights) or leave them as they are and deal with it as it is.
0
Thai Airways Moving Back To Don MuangDomestic routes
Started by george, 2007-01-15 03:03
#27
Senior Member Posted 2007-01-15 08:16:13
Had they kept it open for some flights it would have been one thing, but to shut it down and then re-open just makes a laughing stock out of the whole AOT. A brand new airport is already not able to handle its own domestic traffic? What kind of fools are in charge of AOT? #28
Senior Member Posted 2007-01-15 08:17:21
It seems that London and Paris manage with 2 airports in operation.!
#29
Star Member Posted 2007-01-15 08:17:47
The concern here, I think, is not whether they open DM or not. It is that there are people in charge that are so poor at planning that they couldn't forsee the limitations of the new airport and the possible need to "phase out" DM. Instead they closed one, opened the other and now decide they have to reopen DM. What other problems, mistakes--possibly of greater consequence to everyone than the inconvenience--have they not admitted to.
Airports and airlines with the huge amounts of money and the regulation they receive need to work more smoothly than this. Personally, I find it a little scary. #30
Platinum Member Posted 2007-01-15 08:25:26
Perhaps Thai could call the new domestic airline it's going to set up Nokair? Nok Air is already a subsidiary of Thai. Perhaps I am missing something (an attempt at some form of humour perhaps) 
#33
Platinum Member Posted 2007-01-15 08:29:46
There seems to be contradictory statements being put out on a daily basis relating to this issue.
I hope you will allow me to copy and paste parts of a post i submitted on the 2007-01-13 18:18:44 ( post 45 ) This was to compliment one posted by S.J. , both submitted in " Don Muang To Re-open ?, TIT " Quote:- Looks like they have back tracked due to a verbal from ITAL ( edited ) / lecture and also from other noted officials. From todays B.Post ( Article 1 ) Quote:- Minister brakes Don Muang plans (BangkokPost.com, TNA) Transport Minister Thira Haocharoen put the brakes on a proposal to move some flights back to Don Muang from the new Suvarnabhumi Airport, and said much more talking lay ahead before such a scheme could happen. There will be, for example, "another workshop to brainstorm a conclusion on the matter late this month or early next month," he said. The board of Airports of Thailand Plc on Thursday approved the use of Don Muang for domestic flights and set March 15 as the possible date for the relaunch of the old airport. Adm Thira scoffed. He said the resolution by the AoT board had no authority, and any such plan would have to be submitted for Cabinet approval. Decision-makers needed to heed the opinions of all parties concerned in the private and public sectors again. The workshop would lead to resolution of the issue. "The move of domestic flights to the Don Muang Airport will have wide-ranging repercussions. So, it needs to be studied in detail with caution," said the minister. Unquote. Go to the url for the full article please:- http://www.bangkokpo...s.php?id=115977 ( Article 2 ) Quote:- IATA blasts AoT decision to shift flights Don Muang looks set to make a comeback BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA & CHATRUDEE THEPARAT The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said yesterday that a decision by Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) to shift some commercial flights back to Don Muang would dampen Bangkok's potential for becoming an aviation hub. Making flight connections between two airports would be a huge inconvenience for passengers, and might further damage the attractiveness of Thailand as a tourist destination, the world's largest airline trade group said. Responding to a query from the Bangkok Post, Albert Tjoeng, the IATA spokesman for Asia-Pacific, said: ''Imagine a passenger arriving in Suvarnabhumi and having to catch a connecting domestic flight or no-frills flight from Don Muang. How long will that connection take including baggage collection, travel from Suvarnabhumi to Don Muang and then check-in for the next flight? If an airport wants to be a hub, it is important to keep the connection time low.'' Unquote. Go to the url for the full article please:- http://www.bangkokpo...n2007_biz43.php Thank (edited) for that and lets hope that,s the last of it due to ongoing connections being relative to passengers at ONE airport. Either one will do, so long as I, for one can get off from Udon and get on for Europe in the same location and v. versa.. My local travel agent whose ex TRT said the Thai official who started it all off was politically linked to you know who ?????? and it had a chaos scenario in mind to cause further undermining of the present governments authority. She has already sent a letter of complaint off along with other agents in Udon in reaction to yesterday. Incidently they all reckon the majority of passengers going from Udon to Bangkok are, contrary to what was said " connecting to other flights. and should be listed with Chang Mai, Khon Kaen and Phuket to stay at the new airport. marshbags :jap Apologies if these articles are posted elsewhere not connected to the O.P. and I cannot locate them. marshbags  ................................................................................ .......................................................................... My latest remarks on todays O.P. The Gall and hypocrisy of these officials who had their stciky fingers in the pot while the new airport was being built and as a consequence of wide spread corruption / graft sanctioned by the previous government and and it,s Kamoy CEO, making them all exceedingly wealthy while leaving the airport, along with their own reputations in tatters, both locally and more important internationally. Part quote from George,s article today:- SUVARNABHUMI: -- National carrier to move all but three of its domestic routes from Suvarnabhumi to old airport to save on operating costs. Thai Airways International is moving all of its domestic routes, except those involving Phuket, Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen, to Don Muang airport once the Cabinet approves its reopening. The move aims to save on operating costs, which are higher at the new Suvarnabhumi Airport. The flag carrier recently said the move to Suvarnabhumi had added Bt3.7 billion to its annual operating costs. THAI president Apinan Sumanaseni said yesterday that only flights on three routes would be operated at Suvarnabhumi as they carry a large number of foreign passengers who are taking connecting flights to overseas destinations. Unquote. This is a complete nonsense regarding Undonthani as my travel agent along with ALL others in the area can testify and have as stated already submitted a letter to the relevant authorities with data to back it up. She also said it was to enable Thai to relocate vast amounts of equiptment back to D.Muang to enable the servicing by them for all the low cost airlines and other users. Another point, if they lost / are loosing so much finance how come they where able to announce the profits they made ????? and if they are in profit why use this as an excuse to carry out their ALLEDGED re, re, locating ( To and then Back again. ) From my observations of this route over the years they also contradict the THAI president Apinan Sumanaseni asesssment. I have never been on one of these flights that are not fully occupied and yes the majority of passengers are usually connecting to other flights. ???????? I can also say that thousands of passengers will NOT be impressed should it happen and also suggest they maybe provide dedicated flights in addition to accomodate ongoing passengers by utilising part of the 3 flights Thai already operate. 1, 2, or what ever to suit the needs / demand that is required. I can only reitterate the ITAL and say it,s not practical and unrealistic. ( or words to that effect ) A complete and utter disgrace i,d like to add. Imagine what use all the TEA money would be to re address much of what it,s going to cost to put things in order. 
Edited by marshbags, 2007-01-15 08:30:56. #34
Platinum Member Posted 2007-01-15 08:41:35
Incidentally, tried to buy a ticket from BKK to Manilla from Thai at CM airport yesterday and they quoted me 28,000 baht. The Thai Airways lady then said " that's very expensive, better if you go next door and buy the ticket there". Next door I was able to buy the same ticket, on Thai, for 12,900 baht. Now that's great for me and thank you to the lady from Thai Airways, but ..........!
[/quote] Are you suggesting that there is something unusual or commercially questionable in this. Anywhere in the world travel agents will provide more competitive fares. How are travel agents expected to make a living if the airlines undercut them (and not forgetting that the travel agents sell the bulk of the tickets in any event) It's only on domestic (Thai) flights where the agents and Thai sell at the same price. As for the "lady from Thai Airways" she is just doing her job. I have been told this many times by Thai staff (that agents prices are much cheaper) so nothing at all unusual in this. Edited by john b good, 2007-01-15 08:42:15. #35
Star Member Posted 2007-01-15 09:00:51
I thought the original plan was to keep DM open for domestic service after the new airport opened any ways ? It WAS, and it's interesting who was opposed to it at the time. The Caretaker Transport Minister at the time was subsequently over-ruled by the Caretaker Prime Minister at the time: - From Business Day, April 9, 2006 Domestic, charter flights to use Don Muang Caretaker Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal said Saturday that existing facilities at Bangkok’s Don Muang International Airport would continue to cater to domestic and chartered flights after the opening of the new Suvarnabhumi Airport scheduled for late July this year. Turning down a proposal made by the board of Thai Airways International (THAI) to close Don Muang International Airport after the commercial opening of the Suvarnabhumi Airport, Pongsak said it is the government's policy to continue using both airports as it would create more advantages for the country. ------------------------------------------------- Edited by sriracha john, 2007-01-15 09:04:55. #36
Two years cancer free Posted 2007-01-15 09:03:52 Quote
Incidentally, tried to buy a ticket from BKK to Manilla from Thai at CM airport yesterday and they quoted me 28,000 baht. The Thai Airways lady then said " that's very expensive, better if you go next door and buy the ticket there". Next door I was able to buy the same ticket, on Thai, for 12,900 baht. Now that's great for me and thank you to the lady from Thai Airways, but ..........! Are you suggesting that there is something unusual or commercially questionable in this. I would say it is very questionable............. but not uncommon.  We are no talking about the agent discounting using his commission. This is the airline offering a cheaper price for the same service. The same often applies to airline web sites and Thai is definitely a culprit. I fly a lot and need to find the best deals, using the internet as my first point of reference. If an an airline does not have the nouse to quote "deals" on line they loose my attention immdiately. Gulf Air and Emirates are examples of airlines that DO offer good price deals on the web. 
#37
Senior Member Posted 2007-01-15 09:09:46
Yet another chance for Taxi drivers to rip us(well not us,but tourists/1st time TIT'ers) off rotten, "Where you go?", "Eh,Phuket mate,first time in thailand,I dono which airport,Don,eh,Don johnson or something", "OK no problem 500 baht" "OK thanks" *Drives to Suvarnabhumi*, "Oh!,so sorry,wrong airport,you late for flight,no problem,I take you quick quick,cheap cheap...1000baht"...  #38
Super Member Posted 2007-01-15 09:10:58
Perhaps Thai could call the new domestic airline it's going to set up Nokair? Nok Air is already a subsidiary of Thai. Perhaps I am missing something (an attempt at some form of humour perhaps) No Care #39
Star Member Posted 2007-01-15 09:14:53
Had they kept it open for some flights it would have been one thing, but to shut it down and then re-open just makes a laughing stock out of the whole AOT. A brand new airport is already not able to handle its own domestic traffic? What kind of fools are in charge of AOT? Old Thai Airforce officers? and in a snapback to reality: Mr Chotisak Asapaviriya, appointed to the presidency of the AoT by the Thaksin government, ... http://www.bangkokpo...s.php?id=115926 #40
Senior Member Posted 2007-01-15 09:21:24
DON MUANG AIRPORT THAI going back to the future SUVARNABHUMI: -- National carrier to move all but three of its domestic routes from Suvarnabhumi to old airport to save on operating costs Low-cost carriers including Nok Air and One Two Go have shown interest in moving their operations to Don Muang airport. However, AirAsia wants to move both domestic and international routes back to the old airport. -- The Nation 2007-01-15 Air Asia need to operate both their domestic & international flights from the same airport, as aircraft are rotated between both domestic & international services. If they have to split services between 2 airports, there will need to be repositioning flights from Don Muang to Suvarnabhumi, when an aircraft arrives domestically and then that same aircraft departs internationally. An impossible situation from both an operational and financial standpoint. But there again, maybe Air Asia can sell tickets on repositioning flights from Don Muang to Suvarnabhumi, for all the people who find themselves stranded at the wrong airport! Rest assured that there are plenty of travellers currently using low cost carriers to connect with international flights and they are going to be severely disadvantaged if there are 2 airports in operation and they will definitely lose business. #41
Ex Member Posted 2007-01-15 09:21:47
[/quote]
Are you suggesting that there is something unusual or commercially questionable in this. Anywhere in the world travel agents will provide more competitive fares. How are travel agents expected to make a living if the airlines undercut them (and not forgetting that the travel agents sell the bulk of the tickets in any event) It's only on domestic (Thai) flights where the agents and Thai sell at the same price. As for the "lady from Thai Airways" she is just doing her job. I have been told this many times by Thai staff (that agents prices are much cheaper) so nothing at all unusual in this. [/quote] Errr.... If you were the President of Thai Airways or even the supervisor of the Thai Airways office (or any responsible business rank in between) at the airport and a customer wanted to buy a ticket from you for an overseas destination, how would you feel if your staff said, Oh, our tickets are way too expensive, why don't you go and see the nice lady at the travel agent next door and you'll save loads of money! Commercially questionable, Lady from Thai Airways just doing her job, ..... 
#42
Advanced Member Posted 2007-01-15 09:28:27
lets just screw the farang some more have you seen the price of Oishi at suwannaphoooooooom ? 70 baht when you can buy it locally for 19 baht!! I nearly had a heart attack last time when I tried to buy a bottle of water with a 20 Baht note and was asked thirty. I gave 10 baht more but noooo ! She wanted 30 Baht more !! 50 Baht for a botle of water that can be bought for 10-15 Baht in town!? This is definitiveley the most expensive ever Airport in the world, if nothing else... [sandy] #43
Senior Member Posted 2007-01-15 09:46:22
lets just screw the farang some more have you seen the price of Oishi at suwannaphoooooooom ? 70 baht when you can buy it locally for 19 baht!! I nearly had a heart attack last time when I tried to buy a bottle of water with a 20 Baht note and was asked thirty. I gave 10 baht more but noooo ! She wanted 30 Baht more !! 50 Baht for a botle of water that can be bought for 10-15 Baht in town!? This is definitiveley the most expensive ever Airport in the world, if nothing else... [sandy] #44
Aged Folk-Rocking Member Posted 2007-01-15 10:00:05
Perhaps Thai could call the new domestic airline it's going to set up Nokair? Nok Air is already a subsidiary of Thai. Perhaps I am missing something (an attempt at some form of humour perhaps) No Care My personal suggestion, maintaining the 'bird' image for Thai Airways' various nom-de-plumes, would definitely have to be 'Turkey Air'. They can't cope with the current operation, run elderly out-of-date planes with cr*p food & in-flight-service, can't manage a co-ordinated pricing-structure, and take no personal responsibility for the mess. And their commercial results reflect this.  And the strategy is to use yet another name, for their business, and to split their hub between two non-linked airports, what a shambles.  IMHO Thai are the one airline, out of our local bunch, which should not split their operation like this. Let the other low-cost poor-service airlines hub where they will, that's their decision, and if it is at DM then they should be made to carry the full cost of keeping the white-elephant open, although they never moved to U-ta-Pao when they prevously had the chance to do so, so personally I think reverting to DM would be a mistake on their part. But Thai as the national airline need one hub, domestic & international, not two. It's Marketing-101 , guys. #45
Senior Member Posted 2007-01-15 10:36:14
I nearly had a heart attack last time when I tried to buy a bottle of water with a 20 Baht note and was asked thirty. I gave 10 baht more but noooo ! She wanted 30 Baht more !! 50 Baht for a botle of water that can be bought for 10-15 Baht in town!? This is definitiveley the most expensive ever Airport in the world, if nothing else... [sandy] You obviously haven't traveled much, and must have never been to Don Muang. You also must not have looked around much. There are plenty of places where you can buy water very cheaply landside at Suvarnabhumi (Family Marts), and much more convenient to get to those places than at Don Muang. Airside, there are places selling bottled water for 30 baht and even less if you look. Try any major airport in the US, Europe, or even many places in Asia and you'll be lucky to find a bottle of water airside for under 70 baht. Some places even double that. Suvarnabhumi's prices for food and beverages are very reasonable compared to other airports around the world, and based on my sampling are cheaper than Don Muang was. #46
Senior Member Posted 2007-01-15 10:40:28
So what name will be used for DM? Bangkok National Airport Bangkok Occasional Airport BKK Classic I can't believe it's still an Airport New Bangkok International Old Domestic ...er... I give up.  What will they dream of next.One has to live here to beleive all of this BS.No one else would beleive it. This whole nonsense is going to cause havoc for poor visitors from overseas, never mind us ! The airport code is BKK which as we all know was moved from Don Mueang to Suvarnaswamp. They will have to create a new three letter code and implement this in worldwide reservations systems and online, and make sure everyone knows what they are doijg, and if anyone thinks they can do this by 15th March they have to be joking. There can be no doubt that chaos will prevail very soon!! I wish them luck. #47
Senior Member Posted 2007-01-15 10:45:28
Just to add my opinion on the matter of reopening Don Muang. If Suvarnabhumi is really reaching maximum capacity, then they have no choice but to use Don Muang, at least until Suvarnabhumi can be expanded. If that's the case, I hope they will make Don Muang the airport for low-cost carriers, both domestic and international, or for other airlines that choose to move their entire operations there. If THAI or other airlines are splitting their flights between the two airports, then the whole thing gets too confusing for many passengers and is simply a dumb idea. Where on earth THAI came up with this silly idea, I'll never know. Let Nok Air, 1-2-go, Air Asia (domestic and international) move to Don Muang, being that's what they want, and have THAI remain fully at Suvarnabhumi. Then when catching a taxi to the airport, if you don't know which one, the important thing will be which airline, which I think most people will know and which shouldn't be too difficult for the taxi drivers to know which airlines are using which airport. Anything other than this will just cause chaos and even more complaints about Thailand and their airports.
#48
The bus driver Posted 2007-01-15 10:54:02
I think they have to be very careful with all this. It appears that the corruption tax has forced the AOT monopoly to raise prices through the roof, and thats only on the bit we see. Things like fuel services, lounge rentals and on and on are all sky high to pay for things like the worlds most expensive scanners. If they open the door to good old, paid for, efficient Don Muang they may have a mass exodus out of SUV. If they force Thai Air to remain, they will have to shoulder about the entire cost of the many millions of AOT employees which could make them completely uncompetitive. Its a very dangerous pandoras box to open which is why we are seeing so much back and forth. Lots of vested interested and wasted money needs to be recouped AND additional funds on top of that need to be accumulated to repair and expand SUV. Rock and a hard place.
#50
Senior Member Posted 2007-01-15 11:11:53
Sorry folks but I havent read all the posts on this thread, but when I want to go from Phuket to Udon Thani, is that to Suvarnapum, shuttle bus to Don Muang and then onwards to Udon ...... eerr I don't think so; bye-bye Thai Airways? ANyone know
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