Tourism is the most important industry in Thailand's economy. And many foreign tourists go to the Kingdom of a Thousand Smiles by air. Naturally, the first thing they see upon arrival is the airports of Thailand. Aeronautics is very well developed in this country of Southeast Asia. Therefore, there are many airports in Thailand - more than fifty. In this article, we will cover only some of them. But wherever you come - to the capital, to the south, to the north or to the islands of the Gulf of Thailand - you are greeted with invariable comfort and truly Thai hospitality.
Suvarnabhumi
Out of more than fifty airports, only nine have international status. Some air harbors also serve the Royal Air Force, so access to them has its own nuances (for example, you cannot get there by taxi).
The country's capital, Bangkok, has two international airports at once. Flight to Thailand from Moscow on a regular Aeroflot flightends at Suvarnabhumi, or, as the locals call it, Suvanaphum. It is the largest airport in the country and one of the largest in the world. Its name translates as "golden land" - in honor of the legendary kingdom.
Suvarnabhumi serves fifty-three million passengers every year. The four-story building was built in 2006 and resembles a marvelous garden, in which all the wonders of high-tech are woven. Suvarnabhumi is located thirty kilometers east of Bangkok and is connected to the city by a high-speed railway. You can reach the center in just seventeen minutes.
Information for transit passengers
It's no secret that many tourists come to Thailand for its white sand beaches and warm sea. Therefore, they regard Bangkok as a transit point. Some travelers stop in the country's capital to acclimatize and see the sights of the city. But most are looking for a way to quickly get to the coveted beaches.
If the flight to Thailand from Moscow was operated by Thai Airways, you do not need to go through passport control and pick up luggage to get to Koh Samui or Phuket. It is enough to go through the transit zone to the desired gate of departure. Another thing is if you have two tickets in your hands, but from different carriers (for example, Aeroflot and Thai Airlines). In this case, you need to go through passport control, take your luggage on the second floor of the building and go up the elevator with it to the fourth, where you need to complete a full check-in for a domestic flight.
Don Mueang
If we consider all the international airports in Thailand, and there are only nine, this air harbor is the most modest. Don Mueang served Bangkok until the construction of Suvarnabhumi. The tourist boom in this country began in the eighties of the last century. The old Bangkok airport very quickly ceased to cope with the increased passenger traffic at times. Local authorities have made more than one attempt to expand and modernize Don Mueang. But the fact is that the developing city has come close to the runway. Not wanting to disturb residents, the authorities decided to build a new airport thirty kilometers from Bangkok.
Don Mueang continues to carry out its functions, but serves as an additional hub. Planes from Russia do not land there. But liners to some resorts in Thailand start from the old airport. Suvanaphum is connected to Don Mueang by shuttle express. By the way, direct bus flights depart from the main air harbor of the country to Chanthaburi, Pattaya and other mainland resorts.
Koh Samui (USM)
All airports in Thailand are very beautiful. But the one located on Koh Samui, an island in the Gulf of Thailand, is the most wonderful and original. The concept of open space was involved in its construction. Passengers, getting off the gangway, simply find themselves in a fabulous garden, immersed in tropical flowers. Nevertheless, the airport serves sixteen thousand passengers daily, receiving and sending thirty-six flights. They are mostly small and nimble.planes from Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways, which connect the island with the capital, Bangkok.
The only runway is not long enough to accommodate heavy airliners. But still, Koh Samui airport has international status, since planes from neighboring countries land here. The air harbor is located in the north of the island and consists of two terminals - for domestic and foreign flights. Not far from it is the Big Buddha Pier, from which a ferry leaves for the neighboring island of Koh Phangan.
Phuket (NKT)
Thailand's airports, located in the southern seaside cities, are valued by tourists the most. The largest island in the country, Phuket, is a real Mecca for beach lovers. No wonder its airport handles twenty-four flights an hour and handles five million passengers a year. It also has international status. Airplanes from Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Singapore and Hong Kong land here. Phuket Airport also serves neighboring provinces: Phang Nga, Krabi, Trang and Ranong. It is the second largest in the country after Suvarnabhumi. The airport building consists of two halls - for domestic and international flights. If a passenger flew from Moscow to Phuket (via Bangkok) by Thai Airlines, his luggage is served at the international terminal.
Chiang Mai International Airport
This is the third largest in Thailand and the largest air harbor in the north of the country. The city of Chiang Mai is of great interest for those tourists who love Thaiculture and history. Therefore, the passenger flow at the airport is also rather big - five million people a year. The hub is also used by the military. This airport is closed at night. The air harbor consists of one terminal, divided into two halls. Lampang Airport is located 80 kilometers away. The city of the same name has an interesting history and has preserved a lot of sights, but so far it is rarely visited by tourists, unlike Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. A small hub has a standard set of services.
Hua Hin Airport
This air harbor is located near the city of the same name. Despite its modest size, this airport also has international status, since of the two flights it receives, one is from Kuala Lumpur. Hua Hin is considered a royal resort. Due to the peculiarities of the bottom, tourists with children like to come here. But Hua Hin is relatively close to Bangkok. Therefore, the lion's share of tourists arrives here by train. A flight from Don Mueang flies from the capital.
And the smallest hub in Thailand is Banthi Airport. It doesn't even have its own control tower. It is used for refueling aircraft and hosts a private flying club for air excursions. The hub is located near the city of Nok.
