Practical & travel
The airports of Thailand: from Don Mueang to Suvarnabhumi
For most travellers, Thailand begins in an airport. And on this front, the country has a long head start: it is home to one of the oldest airports in the world still in operation, and to one of the most modern hubs in Southeast Asia. Between Don Mueang, born in 1914, and Suvarnabhumi, inaugurated in 2006, it is a whole century of aviation that tells its story.
Don Mueang, a centenarian pioneer
Don Mueang is one of the oldest airports in the world still in service. It opened on 27 March 1914 as a base for the Royal Thai Air Force, before welcoming its first commercial flights as early as 1924. Few airports can lay claim to so long a history.
For nearly eighty years, Don Mueang was THE gateway to Bangkok. Generations of travellers set foot there for their first contact with the Kingdom, until the growth of traffic ended up saturating its runways and terminals.
Even today, the airport remains very active. After the opening of Suvarnabhumi, it was repurposed and then reopened as a platform for low-cost airlines and domestic flights, a role it still holds with considerable traffic.
Suvarnabhumi, the "Land of Gold" of 2006
Inaugurated on 28 September 2006, Suvarnabhumi took over as the country's main international airport. Its name, chosen by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, means "Land of Gold" in Sanskrit: a deeply meaningful designation for the great gateway to the Kingdom.
The project was colossal: a vast tract of land to the east of Bangkok, transformed into one of the largest airports in Southeast Asia. From its opening, Suvarnabhumi established itself as one of the busiest hubs in the region, connecting Thailand to the whole world.
It is easily reached from the centre by the Airport Rail Link, the express train that avoids the traffic jams. For many visitors, it is here, beneath the great glass canopy, that the journey through Thailand truly begins.
The record-setting architecture of Suvarnabhumi
The terminal was designed by the German-American architect Helmut Jahn. His signature: an immense structure of glass and steel, bathed in light, whose main terminal ranked among the largest airport buildings in the world at its opening, with more than 560,000 square metres.
Its control tower also held a record: at roughly 132 metres tall, it was the highest control tower in the world at the time of the inauguration. A feat to match the country's ambitions.
The whole plays on transparency and lightness, with its sails of glass and its immense gantries. Far from the functional box, Suvarnabhumi was conceived as an architectural showcase, the first modern image of Thailand for the arriving traveller.
Six great airports across the country
Thailand is not limited to Bangkok. The company Airports of Thailand (AOT) operates six great airports: Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang for the capital, then Phuket, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Hat Yai for the regions.
Phuket, in the South, is the country's second great international gateway, turned towards the beaches of the Andaman Sea. Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai serve the North and its mountains, while Hat Yai connects the far South and the Malaysian border.
Alongside these six, other airports matter: Krabi, U-Tapao near Pattaya, or Koh Samui, a small garden-airport operated by the airline Bangkok Airways. Together, they finely cover the whole territory.
Permanent modernisation
Far from resting on its laurels, Suvarnabhumi keeps on growing. In September 2023, a new satellite terminal, named SAT-1, came into service: linked to the main terminal by an automatic metro, it raises the airport's capacity from 45 to 60 million passengers per year.
The same year, a third runway was brought into service, increasing the number of aircraft movements per hour. These works accompany the strong return of tourism and Bangkok's growing standing as the region's air crossroads.
This constant evolution sums up the country's airport history well: starting from a simple airfield in 1914, it has never ceased to move forward. For the visitor, it is the promise of an ever smoother arrival.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main airport of Bangkok? Suvarnabhumi (code BKK), opened in 2006, concentrates the majority of international flights. Don Mueang (code DMK), older, mainly handles low-cost airlines and domestic flights.
What is the oldest airport in Thailand? Don Mueang, opened in 1914. It is one of the oldest airports in the world still in operation, long the sole gateway to Bangkok before the arrival of Suvarnabhumi.
How do you reach the centre of Bangkok from Suvarnabhumi? The simplest way is the Airport Rail Link, which connects the airport to the centre while avoiding the traffic. Official taxis and ride-hailing apps with a driver are also available at the arrivals exit.