It was a great chance for me being able at one of the fourteenth busiest airport in the world, Suvarnabhumi Airport (ท่าอากาศยานสุวรรณภูมิ, pronounced as Suwannaphum), Thailand, since it was the main hub for my flight at that time, Thai Airways. First impression? Greatly impressed since my first arrival; big, unique, and of course, busy!

There, I got closer to the building, you can see the wavelike form of the building. Using lightweight steel structures placed like cantilevered, this airport terminal resulted from an International Competition and established the basis of collaboration between Werner Sobek, Matthias Schuler and Helmut Jahn. 

This building used innovative and integrated architectural, as well as structural and environmental design. New materials and systems of advanced technology were developed, such as advanced long span, exposed pre-cast concrete structures, clear or low e-coated glass, a three layer translucent membrane, integrated cooling, using water as a low energy carrier and the thermal mass of concrete and a displacement ventilation system with minimal air-changes. 

The overall design principal was to express the former essence of the site, from which the water had to be drained before construction could begin, and also to establish a connection to local cultural tradition and art. For example, there are so many Thai artifacts placed at the airside centers and concourses. On my first picture, you've already seen Yaksha Statue (meaning demon statue), it is one of the 12 giant statues lining up the arrival area of the Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok. These giant figures are the exact replicas of the demon warrior statues of the famous Emerald Buddha Temple in Bangkok.

Others, there's also a sculpture resembling Churning the Milk Ocean, a Hindu story from one of the most famous periods in the Puranas. It shows Vishnu in the centre, his turtle Avatar Kurma below, asuras and devas to left and right. Sorry, can't provide a better picture, we were in a hurry to get in time!

Check in time. I love the way this airport works so efficient and effective, it worths the long queue in fact, although some of the Thai officers didn't speak English well.

The name Suvarnabhumi was chosen by King Bhumibol Adulyadej and has meaning as the golden kingdom which hypothesised to have been located somewhere in Southeast Asia. I guess, that's why his pictures are everywhere along the airport.

So, that's my short visit to Suvarnabhumi Airport during my trip to Bangkok on last May 2013, if I have another chance I'll take more pictures. It's really comfortable being there, and about the "Duty Free" shops, yeah, there is Hermes, all branded perfumes (Dior, Ralph Lauren, Armani, Gucci), also make ups everywhere: SKII or Lancome, exclusive branch of Chanel and Chopard. Just cool!

But likely I'll look to another airport first in the future, haha..

See you on my next post.

----ooo----

References: