Lois Larson
Bangkok is served by two airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang Airport (DMK). Suvarnabhumi Airport is located in the Racha Thewa subdistrict, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province, about 25-30 kilometres east of downtown Bangkok. The airport is one of the biggest international airports in Southeast Asia and is also a major cargo hub.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Suvarnabhumi Airport |
| IATA Airport Code | BKK |
| ICAO Airport Code | VTBS |
| Location | Racha Thewa, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province |
| Distance from Bangkok | 25-30 km |
| Distance from Siam Station | Same as Don Mueang Airport |
| Number of runways | 2 |
| Number of taxiways | 2 |
| Number of parking bays | 120 |
| Capacity | 76 flight operations per hour |
| Year opened | 2006 |
| Area | 3,240 ha (32.4 km2; 8,000 acres) |
| Ranking | 17th busiest airport in the world, 11th busiest in Asia |
| Number of passengers (2017) | 60 million |
| Ranking in social media popularity | 1st in 2012 |
| Hotel | Novotel Suvarnabhumi |
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What You'll Learn
Suvarnabhumi Airport is Bangkok's main international airport
Suvarnabhumi Airport (IATA: BKK), ICAO: VTBS is Bangkok's main international airport. It is located mostly in the Racha Thewa subdistrict, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province, about 25-30 kilometres from downtown Bangkok. Suvarnabhumi is one of the biggest international airports in Southeast Asia and a regional aviation hub. It is also a major cargo air freight hub, having been ranked the 20th busiest in the world in 2019. The airport is the main hub for Thai Airways International and Bangkok Airways, as well as the operating base for Thai VietJet Air and Thai AirAsia. It serves as a regional gateway for various foreign carriers connecting to Asia, Oceania, Europe, and Africa.
The airport opened for limited domestic flight service on 15 September 2006 and for most domestic and all international commercial flights on 28 September 2006. The terminal building was designed by Helmut Jahn of Murphy/Jahn Architects and constructed primarily by ITO JV. The airport has two parallel runways and two parallel taxiways to accommodate simultaneous departures and arrivals. It has a total of 120 parking bays, five of which are capable of accommodating the Airbus A380 aircraft.
The name Suvarnabhumi is Sanskrit for "land of gold", chosen by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The site, formerly known as Nong Nguhao or Cobra Swamp, was drained and renamed Suvarnabhumi, meaning "realm of gold". Suvarnabhumi Airport is also the world's most popular site for taking Instagram photographs in 2012.
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It is located in the Racha Thewa subdistrict
Bangkok's main international airport is Suvarnabhumi Airport (IATA: BKK), ICAO: VTBS. It is located in the Racha Thewa subdistrict, in the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan province. Suvarnabhumi Airport is about 25-30 kilometres from downtown Bangkok and is one of the biggest international airports in Southeast Asia. It covers an area of 3,240 ha (32.4 km2; 8,000 acres), making it a regional aviation hub.
The airport is named after the Sanskrit term for "land of gold" or "realm of gold". This name was chosen by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose name includes the word "Bhūmi", referring to the Buddhist golden kingdom, thought to be located somewhere in Southeast Asia.
Suvarnabhumi Airport is the main hub for Thai Airways International and Bangkok Airways. It also serves as the operating base for Thai VietJet Air and Thai AirAsia. The airport is also a major cargo air freight hub, with a designated Airport Free Zone and road links to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) on Motorway 7.
The airport's terminal building was designed by Helmut Jahn of Murphy/Jahn Architects and constructed primarily by ITO JV. It features structural elements and bays placed in a cantilevered, wavelike form, giving the appearance of "floating" over the concourse below. The airport currently has two parallel runways and two parallel taxiways to accommodate simultaneous departures and arrivals.
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The airport is 25-30km from downtown Bangkok
Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport is located 25-30km from downtown Bangkok. The airport is situated in the Racha Thewa subdistrict, in the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan province. It is one of the biggest international airports in Southeast Asia, serving as a major hub for aviation and cargo. The airport is easily accessible from the city centre, and its IATA airport code is BKK.
Suvarnabhumi Airport is a modern and efficient facility, with a unique name that means "land of gold" or "realm of gold". It is a regional hub for aviation and one of the busiest airports in the world, handling millions of passengers each year. The airport features a hotel, multiple runways, and a spacious terminal building.
The airport is well-connected to the city, with the Airport Rail Link providing convenient transportation for travellers. It is also accessible via Motorway 7, which connects the airport to Bangkok and the eastern seaboard of Thailand. This makes it a convenient option for travellers, especially those heading to the industrial areas.
In comparison to Don Mueang Airport (DMK), Suvarnabhumi offers a smoother experience with better facilities. While Don Mueang is one of Asia's oldest airports, Suvarnabhumi provides a more modern alternative with efficient services. The distance to the city centre is similar for both airports, but Suvarnabhumi's rail connection gives it an advantage in terms of travel time.
Suvarnabhumi Airport's location, approximately 25-30km from downtown Bangkok, makes it a convenient gateway to the city. Its accessibility, modern facilities, and efficient services contribute to its reputation as a preferred choice for travellers visiting Bangkok.
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It is one of the busiest airports in the world
Suvarnabhumi Airport (IATA: BKK) is located in the Racha Thewa subdistrict, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province, about 25-30 kilometres east of Bangkok. It is one of the busiest airports in the world, currently ranked 17th globally and the 11th busiest in Asia. It is also the busiest airport in Thailand, serving as the primary airport for Bangkok and a vital connection point in Southeast Asia.
The airport is a major hub for international carriers such as Thai Airways International and Bangkok Airways, and it is the operating base for Thai VietJet Air and Thai AirAsia. It serves as a regional gateway connecting Asia, Oceania, Europe, and Africa. With a capacity to handle 76 flight operations per hour, the airport features two parallel runways and two parallel taxiways to accommodate simultaneous departures and arrivals.
Suvarnabhumi Airport is also a significant cargo air freight hub, ranked 20th busiest in 2019. It has a designated Airport Free Zone and road links to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) on Motorway 7, connecting Bangkok to the eastern seaboard of Thailand, where most export manufacturing occurs. The airport's advanced facilities include extensive cargo handling capabilities, boosting its role in logistics and trade.
The airport's terminal, designed by Helmut Jahn, features a contemporary design and was once the world's fourth-largest single-building airport terminal. It boasts a capacity of 120 parking bays, with five capable of accommodating the Airbus A380 aircraft. Long-term plans include expanding to four runways and two satellite buildings, aiming to handle up to 100 million passengers and 6.4 million tonnes of cargo annually.
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It is also a major cargo hub
Suvarnabhumi Airport (IATA: BKK, ICAO: VTBS) is the main international airport serving Bangkok, Thailand. It is located in the Racha Thewa subdistrict, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province, about 25 kilometres (16 mi) from downtown Bangkok.
The airport's cargo operations are not a recent development. When the airport officially opened on 28 September 2006, the first flight to arrive was a Lufthansa Cargo flight from Mumbai, and the first cargo departure was a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight to Riyadh.
Long-term plans for the airport include the construction of four runways flanking two main terminals and two satellite buildings. These new facilities are expected to increase the airport's cargo capacity to 6.4 million tonnes per year.
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Frequently asked questions
Bangkok is served by Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang Airport (DMK). Suvarnabhumi Airport is located in the Racha Thewa subdistrict, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province, about 25-30 kilometres from downtown Bangkok. Don Mueang Airport is located in a crowded district north of the city.
BKK.
Suvarnabhumi means "land of gold" or "realm of gold" in Sanskrit.
