- The next step was trying to figure out how to use the new ATM machines interspersed between the baggage carousels. These ATM's turned out to be touch-screen -- finally pointed out by some bemused Thai people, patiently waiting in line behind us while we pressed buttons like mad trying to coax Thai Bahts out of the ATM.

- At long last, out of the baggage/customs area, we took the escalators (there are also elevators) down one level to the taxi ranks. TIP: IGNORE the touts inside and outside the terminal! They will ask around 900 bahts for a taxi ride into Bangkok. Go outside and line up in the taxi rank line, tell them where you are headed and wait for your taxi. There are hundreds of taxis, all metered and the fare will be around 300 bahts which includes tips and an automatic 50 baht surcharge (the surcharge covers the toll fees). That is less than $10 US...safe and easy. Don't listen to the touts if they say there are no taxis available. Every taxi driver around Bangkok know what time the International flights land and there are more than enough taxis to go around.

Suvarnabhumi Airport has been dealing with multiple problems since opening: cracked runways, poor signage, etc. There has even been talk about re-opening the decrepit Don Muang Airport and using both. That would be a logistical nightmare since the two airports are located on opposite ends of Bangkok... Hopefully, by the time you visit, and we revisit, all will be under control.

Another airport suggestion:

- If you are arriving internationally and departing again within six or eight hours, you may not want to even bother taking a room in Bangkok for that short period of time. You can either stay at the new Novotel, 5 minutes free ride by their shuttle bus from the airport but expensive, or gut it out and stay in transit. There are also two small transit hotels inside the airport with rooms available for 4 hours or more. As an example, the United Airlines Chicago-Bangkok flight doesn't arrive until almost midnight. It takes at least one hour to get your bags...add another half-hour to taxi into Bangkok...and if you have an early morning onward flight, you'll have to leave your Bangkok hotel more than 2-1/2 hours before for check-in. A ridiculous waste of money for a few hours sleep. The only catch would be deciding to stay in transit in advance of checking your luggage on the first flight. We checked our luggage in the U.S. through to our final destination (Laos), stayed in transit and stretched out on benches in the airport. Of course, it is your decision.

Hassles over, we taxi'd into Bangkok (around 30-45 minutes away), staying in a different area and prepared to visit new sections of Bangkok...

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