From the U.S. Embassy in BKK re: new airport

OPENING OF NEW BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

1. This Public Announcement is being issued to alert U.S. citizens of the potential impact the opening of Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi International Airport may have on travelers arriving in and departing Thailand. The Suvarnabhumi International Airport will replace BangkokтАЩs current airport, Don Muang, and is scheduled to begin operations in mid-September. Delays stemming from the phase-in of initial operations at Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) are inevitable and travelers should plan accordingly. Additionally, international travelers arriving during the phase-in period may be required to travel from Suvarnabhumi airport to Don Muang airport to catch their domestic flight. Limited domestic service on Thai Airways will shift from Don Muang Airport to Suvarnabhumi International Airport on September 15. Current plans call for full international service at Suvarnabhumi beginning September 29. These dates are subject to change. Suvarnabhumi will inherit Don Muang's "BKK" international airport code and Don Muang will be recoded as "DBK". Therefore, travelers are strongly encouraged to reconfirm destinations with airlines if your travel falls on or near these dates. Information on the new airport can be found at: http://www.bangkokairportonline.com/.

2. Suvarnabhumi International Airport is located 18 miles (30 kilometers) east of downtown Bangkok and is approximately a thirty minute drive to/from downtown Bangkok in light traffic; this time is roughly equivalent to that for the existing airport. However, the drive time could be longer due to Bangkok's ubiquitous unpredictable traffic. The new airport will have no taxi facilities in the main terminal. Arriving passengers who need a taxi will have to board an airport shuttle bus from the main terminal to a nearby taxi and bus terminal.

3. The only convenient hotel near Suvarnabhumi International Airport for overnight or same day transit stops in Bangkok is the Novotel Suvarnbhumi. The hotel is located immediately in front of the airport terminal.

4. American citizens traveling to and from Thailand during the planned phase-in period are encouraged to contact their airlines for additional details and to plan accordingly.

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[anakot]

Does this mean that the taxis will be forced to travel at under 160kph.... Cheesh