Bangkok airports overview
Suvarnabhumi International Airport (pronounced su-wan-na-poom), or Bangkok International, is located in Racha Thewa, Thailand, approximately 25km (16 miles) east of downtown Bangkok. It is the country’s busiest airport, and the third busiest in Asia, with almost 43 million passengers in 2010.
Suvarnabhumi Airport, meaning “Golden Land” in Sanskrit, features the tallest control tower in the world and the world’s largest single-building passenger terminal. Travellers can expect everything that most international airports offer – an extensive array of shopping and dining, facilities and services. Constructed almost entirely of glass, the interior of the terminal is well lit and airy. Moreover, numerous traditional artworks and fabrics draped from the walls and ceilings are a wonderful introduction to Thai culture.
Suvarnabhumi International Airport is clean, modern and well maintained and, like all Thai citizens, staff are exceptionally friendly and helpful. Expect nothing less than a world-class experience when visiting Thailand’s primary aerial gateway.
Situated in Bangkok, a mere 25km (15 miles) from the city centre, Don Muang Airport was, at its peak, the second biggest international airport in Asia. However, it closed its doors to commercial airlines after the opening of the new Suvarnabhumi Airport in 2006, before reopening in 2007 to domestic flights following complaints about the new airport. Today, the airport is used mostly for charter flights, for civil aviation, and by the military (the Royal Thai Air Force has a base here). Two of the three terminals are closed, and the third is used by only a handful of low-cost domestic airlines for non-connecting flights. Non-scheduled international flights occasionally make use of the International Terminal.
Most travellers agree that Don Muang (also sometimes spelled Don Mueang) remains a pleasant, functional domestic terminal.