Suvarnabhumi Airport passengers advised to arrive 3 hours before departure

Passengers flying internationally out of Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok are advised to arrive three hours before departure due to potential delays caused by renovations.

Getting through security might take a little longer for now as the departure terminal gains some snazzy new equipment to ramp up security efforts.

Currently, an “automated return tray system” is being installed at security checkpoints where passengers have their carry-on luggage scanned for prohibited items before boarding.

The system means that airport staff no longer have to face the arduous task of collecting the baggage trays and putting them back in place for oncoming passengers. Instead, the trays will go around automatically, like a ski lift.

Airports of Thailand (AOT) said this will be more convenient for staff members and reduce overcrowding at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Once the new system is in place, the capacity from 3,000 passengers per hour to 6,640, streamlining the passenger experience.

However, some security checkpoints are closed while the equipment is installed meaning that things have to slow down before speeding up.

The following screening points in the international departure terminal include…

• Zone 3 screening points on the west side of the passenger terminal will be closed from 12am on March 1 to 12am on March 29.
• Zone 3 screening points in the terminal’s east side will be closed from 12am on March 30 to 12am on April 26.
• Zone 2 screening points on the west side will be closed from 12am on April 27 to 12am on May 24.
• Zone 2 screening points on the east side will be closed from 12am on May 25 to 12am on June 2.
• Zone 1 screening points will be closed from 12am on June 22 to 12am on July 12.

Don’t worry, the airport says they have opened extra checkpoints in Zone 1 to serve passengers and deployed extra staff members to help passengers and ensure there are sufficient members of staff at passport control.

Suvarnabhumi Airport is on the way to becoming a “fully digital airport,” according to AOT.

Thailand’s flag carrier Thai Airways is currently trialling a new biometric check-in service at Suvarnabhumi Airport on their Bangkok – Singapore route, where passengers can check in simply by looking into the camera.

AOT hopes that bolstering facial recognition technology will streamline the check-in process and reduce waiting times.