
Suvarnabhumi Airport, also known as Bangkok Airport, is the main international airport serving Bangkok, Thailand. The name Suvarnabhumi is derived from the Sanskrit words Suvarna, meaning gold, and Bhumi, meaning land, thus translating to land of gold or realm of gold. The name was chosen by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose name includes Bhumi, referring to the mythical Buddhist golden kingdom believed to be located somewhere in Southeast Asia. The Thai government named the airport Suvarnabhumi in celebration of this tradition, which is still debated by scholars.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name origin | Suvarnabhumi is derived from Sanskrit, meaning "land of gold" or "realm of gold" |
| Proximity to Bangkok | Suvarnabhumi Airport is located about 25 kilometres (16 miles) east of downtown Bangkok |
| Size | The airport covers an area of 3,240 hectares (8,000 acres) |
| Importance | It is one of the largest airports in the world and a major hub for aviation in Southeast Asia |
| Opening date | The airport opened for limited domestic flights on September 15, 2006, and for all international commercial flights on September 28, 2006 |
| Architecture | The terminal building was designed by Helmut Jahn of Murphy/Jahn Architects, featuring a unique "floating" roof design |
| Control tower | At the time of its construction, it had the world's tallest free-standing control tower at 132.2 metres (434 feet) |
| Cargo hub | Suvarnabhumi Airport is a major cargo hub, ranked as the 20th busiest in 2019, with 95 airlines serving the airport |
| Runway capacity | The airport can handle up to 76 flights per hour on its two simultaneously operating runways |
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What You'll Learn
- Suvarnabhumi Airport is named after the mythic kingdom of Suwannaphum
- Suvarṇabhūmi means 'land of gold' or 'golden land' in Sanskrit
- The name was chosen by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej
- Suvarnabhumi is one of the largest airports in the world
- The airport is located on what was formerly known as Cobra Swamp

Suvarnabhumi Airport is named after the mythic kingdom of Suwannaphum
Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, is named after the mythic kingdom of Suwannaphum. The name Suvarnabhumi means "land of gold" or "realm of gold" in Sanskrit. The Thai government chose this name to honour the tradition of the ancient kingdom of Suwannaphum, which is believed to have existed somewhere on the coast of the central plains, particularly near the ancient city of U Thong.
The kingdom of Suwannaphum is considered a mythical place by many, and its exact location has been debated by scholars and archaeologists for centuries. While there is no conclusive historical record of its existence, archaeological evidence suggests that human settlements in the region date back over 4,000 years, and 3rd-century Roman coins have been found in the area. Some scholars have also pointed to the discovery of a Pre-Angkorian stone inscription in Cambodia, dating back to 633 AD, which mentions King Isanavarman ruling over Suvarnabhumi.
The name Suvarnabhumi has been associated with various places throughout Southeast Asia, and it is believed that it was not a specific location but rather an idealised place, much like Atlantis in Western culture. It is described as a golden land to the east of India, where traders, sailors, and religious teachers went to spread their teachings and bring back gold and exotic goods.
The concept of Suvarnabhumi has been linked to the spread of Buddhism in the region. According to Thai chronicles, around 241 BCE, two Buddhist monks, Sona Thera and Uttara Thera, came from Magadha to spread Buddhism in Suvarnabhumi. The kingdom is said to have had a majority Mon population, with Thai people arriving later, around 50 BCE.
The Suvarnabhumi Airport, also known as BKK, is one of the biggest international airports in Southeast Asia and serves as a major aviation hub for the region. It covers an area of 3,240 hectares (32.4 square kilometres or 8,000 acres) and is located about 25 kilometres (16 miles) from downtown Bangkok.
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Suvarṇabhūmi means 'land of gold' or 'golden land' in Sanskrit
Suvarnabhumi Airport (IATA: BKK, ICAO: VTBS) is the main international airport serving Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. Covering an area of 3,240 ha (32.4 km2; 8,000 acres), it is one of the biggest international airports in Southeast Asia. The name Suvarnabhumi is derived from the Sanskrit words "Suvarṇa", meaning "gold", and "Bhūmi", meaning "land". Thus, Suvarnabhumi can be translated as the "land of gold" or "golden land".
The term Suvarṇabhūmi appears in ancient Indian literary sources and Buddhist texts such as the Mahavamsa, some of the Jataka tales, the Milinda Panha, and the Ramayana. It is believed to refer to an important port along trade routes in the Indian Ocean. While its exact location is unknown, it is thought to be somewhere to the east of India, possibly in Southeast Asia.
In modern Thailand, government proclamations and national museums suggest that Suwannaphum, the mythical kingdom associated with Suvarṇabhūmi, was located on the coast of the central plain, near the ancient city of U Thong. This belief is based on archaeological evidence of human settlements dating back over 4,000 years and the discovery of 3rd-century Roman coins.
The name Suvarnabhumi for the airport was chosen by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose name includes Bhūmi, referring to the Buddhist golden kingdom thought to be located east of the Ganges. The Thai government named the airport Suvarnabhumi Airport to celebrate this tradition, although the specific location of Suwannaphum remains a matter of debate among scholars.
Additionally, the term Suvarṇabhūmi may be related to the Western concept of Aurea Regio in Claudius Ptolemy's description of India beyond the Ganges. It may also be connected to the Golden Chersonese, a term used by Greek and Roman geographers and sailors.
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The name was chosen by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Suvarnabhumi Airport, also known as Bangkok Airport, is one of the largest airports in the world, covering an area of 3,240 hectares (8,000 acres). It is one of two international airports serving Bangkok, Thailand, the other being Don Mueang International Airport. The airport is named Suvarnabhumi, meaning 'land of gold' or 'golden land' in Sanskrit, by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The name includes Bhumi, referring to the Buddhist golden kingdom, thought to have been to the east of the Ganges, possibly in Southeast Asia.
The Thai government named the new Bangkok airport Suvarnabhumi Airport, celebrating the tradition associated with the name. Suvarnabhumi is also associated with the ancient city of U Thong, which is believed to be the origin of the Indianised Dvaravati culture. The site of the airport was formerly known as Cobra Swamp, which was drained before construction began. The terminal building's design, with its wavelike form, reflects the former essence of the site.
The late King Bhumibol Adulyadej chose the name Suvarnabhumi for the airport, reflecting the rich history and cultural significance associated with the term. The name's reference to the golden kingdom and its location in Southeast Asia further emphasise the region's importance as a hub for aviation and trade.
The airport is a major hub for Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, and various other airlines, serving as a gateway to Asia, Oceania, Europe, and Africa. With its vast size and capacity to handle numerous flights per hour, Suvarnabhumi Airport plays a crucial role in connecting Bangkok to the rest of the world.
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Suvarnabhumi is one of the largest airports in the world
Suvarnabhumi Airport, also known as Bangkok Airport, is one of the largest airports in the world. The airport is located mostly in the Racha Thewa subdistrict, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province, covering an area of 3,240 ha (32.4 km2; 8,000 acres). It is Thailand's biggest airport and the third-largest airport in the world.
The airport is named after the Suvarnabhumi Kingdom, which means 'land of gold' or 'realm of gold' in Sanskrit. The name was chosen by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose name includes Bhumi, referring to the Buddhist golden kingdom thought to be somewhere in Southeast Asia.
Suvarnabhumi Airport is the main international airport serving Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. It is the main hub for Thai Airways International and Bangkok Airways, as well as the operating base for Thai VietJet Air and Thai AirAsia. The airport is a major cargo air freight hub and is linked to Bangkok and the industrial eastern seaboard of Thailand by Motorway 7.
The airport was officially opened on 28 September 2006 and has since become a major transportation hub, with daily flights to every continent. It is one of the coolest transportation hubs in the world, known for its excellent facilities and bright and airy arrival and departure halls. Suvarnabhumi Airport is also the world's most popular site for taking Instagram photographs in 2012.
The airport's main passenger terminal was, at the time of construction, the world's largest passenger terminal ever constructed in one phase at 563,000 square meters (6,060,000 sq ft). The airport also had the world's tallest freestanding control tower from 2006 to 2014, standing at 132.2 metres (434 feet).
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The airport is located on what was formerly known as Cobra Swamp
Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok's main international airport, is located on what was formerly known as Cobra Swamp. The swamp, covering 8,000 acres, was drained in 1973 to make way for the airport, which was officially opened in September 2006.
The name Suvarnabhumi, chosen by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, is Sanskrit for "land of gold" or "golden land". It refers to the Buddhist golden kingdom, thought to be somewhere to the east of the Ganges, possibly in Southeast Asia.
The Thai government named the airport Suvarnabhumi in celebration of this tradition, which holds that Suvarnabhumi was somewhere on the coast of the central plains, near the ancient city of U Thong. This claim is based on archaeological evidence of human settlements in the area dating back more than 4,000 years, as well as the discovery of 3rd-century Roman coins.
The airport is located in the Racha Thewa subdistrict, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province, about 25 kilometres (16 miles) from downtown Bangkok. It is one of the biggest international airports in Southeast Asia and a regional aviation hub.
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Frequently asked questions
Suvarnabhumi Airport, also known as Bangkok Airport, was named so by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The name Suvarnabhumi is derived from Sanskrit and means "land of gold" or "realm of gold".
Suvarnabhumi in Sanskrit is made up of two words: Suvarna meaning gold and Bhumi meaning land.
The name Suvarnabhumi was chosen to honour the Thai tradition that the mythic kingdom of Suwannaphum was somewhere on the coast of the central plains, near the ancient city of U Thong.












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