GLOBAL SPOTTING REPORTS
THAILAND
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi - March 2020
LANDSIDE
The terminal has a viewing area located on the upper level from the departures lounge. Views look out inbetween the two piers and onto the cross taxiways with distant views of the runways to either side. Given that most aircraft land on one runway and depart on the other most should be seen either on arrival or departure, but anything already in may be missed depending where its parked. Reportedly not very good at night due to reflections from two sets of glass.
A few aircraft on remote stands can be read off from the departures ramp.
AIRSIDE
Lots of windows but again its difficult at night without doing a lot of walking. No problem during the day and its possible to settle in one spot and see most movements. If you want to walk around the gates to see whats in its a very long walk inbetween the piers.
HOTELS
Siam Mandarina / Grand Come Inn – Excellent views adjacent to runway 19R/01L with views across to the terminal. Some aircraft on gates can be read off as well as aircraft parked on cargo. Traffic taxiing in and out of the midfield area can also be read off but good optics are required to read stuff on the far taxiways and runway. At night its too dark except for a few stands that are lit up and you would have to rely on sbs during this time. At the time all aircraft landed on 19R so nothing was missed except what was already in and parked on the far side.
The hotel offers a package guaranteeing a room with a view of the airport on its website. Its twice the price of a normal room but well worth it. Free internet worked very well in the room. The room was good quality and clean and reportedly a better standard than the other hotels. There is a 7/11 down the road for snacks and beer. Don’t try to cross the road to get to the one opposite unless you like playing chicken. I had room service for dinner. You have to phone for the menu. A few years ago I remember it being excellent but this time was pretty average.
Other reports suggest the following hotels are good for the approach to the listed runways but don’t have views of the terminal. These are more suitable for photographers wanting approach shots and can also be accessed for day visits to use the rooftops.
Phoenix Hotel – Runway 19R – 300Baht to access roof
Chris Residences – Runway 19L – 500 baht for room and roof access
Suvarnabhumi Ville – Runway 19R – Rooftop
WHAT TO EXPECT
The home of Thai, Thai Smile and Bangkok Airways. Most can be seen in a day including most of the ATRs. Some longhaul stuff will be missed departing at night unless you rely on sbs.
An excellent selection of international flights give this place good variety. Lots of Chinese flights now including some of the more unusual carriers. Lao Airways have a few flights each day and other notable carriers include Air Astana and Turkmenistan.
This place stays busy overnight with many interesting movements in the early hours. If your happy to rely on sbs then it can be worth checking flight radar for whats due in.
Bangkok DMK – March 2020
LANDSIDE
The two viewing areas are open and provide good views of all movements and some stands. Distant views of the government ramp on the far side can be had and with a decent scope and no heat haze you may be able to read some off. However they are parked tail on so its difficult to get them.
At the south end of the terminal is a multi storey car park that has views over many remote stands and some stored aircraft. The scrapping area can’t be seen as its inbetween buildings.
From here its possible to walk to the south end of the airport. Stay on the smaller roads going towards the cargo buildings. There was a checkpoint but I had no problem walking through. This is the way the buses go. Expect to walk about 3km which is hot and sweaty. Inbetween the cargo buildings there is another multistorey. There are security guards at the main entrance as well as several locals sat around each floor. I managed to get to the top without being noticed. Excellent views of the remote stands, stored aircraft, Biz Ramp and some different views of the government ramp. I could see into a small hangar where one of the Army E135 lives along with one of the Army J41s. It took the whole of my 2000mm lens to read them.
From here continue further to the end of the airport and you will pass the scrapping area. Theres only very limited gaps inbetween the fence but you may be able to identify a few things. From here you can turn left towards the Air Asia building and MJets hangar. Or if you continue straight ahead another block you will find the Jae Leng Centre. The Jae Leng centre has another multi storey which identified another 3 remote stands. It only opens at 10am though and if you get there early like I did you have to walk around the ramp several times to get to the top. If you walk the other way past the Air Asia building there is a left turn which runs down the side of the MJets hangar. I think the road is normally closed but there is construction going on so there is free access at the moment with several locals going in and out. This allowed views into the hangars which contained a BBJ and 2 Gulfstreams.
AIRSIDE
I transited through the international side and the domestic side on separate occasions, which did a great job both times. Plenty of windows and from the end of the piers excellent views of the runways and possible to read some stuff on the government ramp. The international pier also looks over the northern ramp where some of the Biz park and some hangars and other remote stands. There is a distant glimpse of some of the stored aircraft on the south side from both from the international pier and domestic and some can be identified from previously reported stored aircraft.
HOTELS
Amari Don Mueang Hotel is linked to the terminal but rooms reportedly have no views.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Air Asia, Nok and Lion Air are all based and the majority of the fleets can be seen in a few hours. They do base a few aircraft elsewhere such as Chang Mai so expect to miss some of them even if you spend longer here.
Many of the government aircraft are based with 14 logged this time.
A left seat for arrival and right for departure may assist in seeing the stored aircraft.
However a left seat for departure would be best for trying to see the Government ramps.
Phuket – Jun 2017
LANDSIDE
I didn’t explore much but couldn’t find any views from the domestic terminal.
Nai Yang Beach has excellent views. There is national park that you can drive to just west of the airport. There is small charge to enter. Park as close to the airport as you can and then walk along the beach until you find the end of the runway. There is a small paved area here with a memorial for the Tsunami Disaster where you can stand with good views of the ramp and runway. Or if they are landing from this direction you could stand further back along the beach for some good approach photos.
AIRSIDE
The domestic terminal wasn’t great. There where a few windows so movements could be seen in the limited views you get.
HOTELS
Centara Grand West Sands resort – 5 stars are fairly expensive including a water park on site and easy access to the beach at the end of the runway. Reportedly has views from building 6, room nos 6709,10,11,12,13 which are suites with balconies.
Nai Yang Beach Resort – A much cheaper option with a rooftop pool offering good views of the airport. Some rooms offer views but they are reportedly single rooms.
WHAT TO EXPECT
A good mix of the local airlines including long haul Thai stuff who have some international flights from here. However nothing that can’t be seen in Bangkok. Theres some interesting international carriers here although the majority seem to visit overnight.
Not particularly busy but worth combining with a beach holiday. Even if you don’t stay at the resort mentioned above you can still rent a car for a day trip.
