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Suvarnabhumi » Farewells at Don Muang International Airport

Sunday, July 20th, 2008

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Some tears were seen as airline employees and members of the public bid farewell to Bangkok International Airport at Don Muang Wednesday, taking photos in remembrance of times past.

Don Muang airport ends more than 90 years service to the public Wednesday and officially will be reborn as Suvarnabhumi Airport Thursday at 3am (0300 hours).

It is the last day Don Muang International Airport will provide services, but passengers and tourists continue to count on the airport for inbound and outbound flights as normal, at least on Wednesday.

Many cameras were in evidence as a scramble for souvenir photos reflected an awareness that they–and the “we” of the rest of Thailand and its friends who will not see its welcoming smiles again–can no longer receive her services with a smile, because Don Muang will be open only for chartered planes and those on official duty.

Cargo services and domestic and overseas passenger flights will be officially transferred to Suvarnabhumi Airport at 3am (0300 hours) on Thursday.

However, there are still passengers at Don Muang International Airport Wednesday because it is normal working day.

Many airliners have adjusted schedules and reduced the number of flights in preparation for transferring their operations, making check-in counters less busy than usual.

Philip C. Laibee, a tourist from the United States, said what tourists will remember about Don Muang airport is the convenience they received at lower cost than other airports around the world.

What tourists expect from Suvarnabhumi Airport, Mr. Laibee said, is greater convenience than they had at Don Muang.

The American tourist said he was confident that more tourists would visit Thailand since Thai people are friendly and service costs are low.

Sureeporn Thonraya, a former employee at a duty-free shop in Don Muang International Airport, said she came to the airport Wednesday to remember the working environment where she spent so much time and to take away photos as memories.

“I’m shocked because I’ve been at the airport for 11 years,” she said. “I’ll go with my friends for a farewell party that Thai Airways International today.”

Airline staff and the Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited, and others who just came to say good-bye, carried cameras to document the last hours and say farewell to a grand and gracious lady who has served millions of visitors to Thailand, and Thais departing for other destinations and destinies.

Despite the 40-year wait for the new airport, many appeared as if caught by surprise now that it is actually happening.

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