Airports

Samui Airport

Bangkok Airways built its first airport at Koh Samui, a major resort island in the Gulf of Thailand. Samui Airport, located at the northern part of the island near Bo PudBeach, began construction 1982 and was officially commenced operations on April25, 1989. The airstrip is 2,100 meters long; while the main facility is outfitted with the highest safety-standard equipment, modern communications, and open-air passenger terminals— its architecture built to naturally blend in with the island's surrounding flora and fauna.

On September 25, 1997, Samui Airport was upgraded into a customs airport. The resulting enhancements comprise of immigration facilities, customs services, new passenger terminals, and additional direct flight routes into Samui.

Bangkok Airways’ southern “Natura Hub”not only serves as gateway to a multitude of natural destinations, but it is also a place where passengers can relax and unwind at its numerous facilities. Located within the airport, passengers can dine on delicious traditional Thai cuisine at its open-air Thai restaurant;send postcards to friends and family at the airport’s post office;and select memorable gifts from its souvenir shop. The latest additional to Samui Airport is the “Soulto Sole”spa where passengers can loosen up to a traditional Thai massage before boarding their flight.

Sukhothai Airport

Bangkok Airways’ second airport at Sukhothai, located in the Sawankhalok district, began construction in 1992 and was officially opened to serve its first flight on April12, 1996. Built over a 2,000-rai (acre) area, the facility comprises of a 2,100meters long runway and is operated in accordance with The Civil Aviation Department of Thailand’s safety standards.

Sukhothai Airport’s open-air passenger terminals are uniquely constructed to resemble the classic Siamese pagodas found in Sukhothai’s rich history as Thailand’s ancient capital. Bangkok Airways also grows special organic rice from the surrounding rice paddies within Sukhothai Airport’s area—which the airlines then serves these naturally grown organic rice on board as part of its appetizing in-flight menu.

Bangkok Airways uses Sukhothai Airport as a domestic base hub to link air transportation between other Indochina countries. Its goal is to promote tourism in both the northern region of Thailand and the culturally rich destinations along the Mekong region.

Trat Airport

The third and latest airport built by Bangkok Airways, Trat Airport, puts the eastern-most coastal province of Thailand on the aviation map. Built in 2002 and later commenced operations on March31, 2003, Trat Airport’s first service was mainly to serve as a hub for the flight route to-and-from Bangkok, thus reducing the conventional road trip time from 4-5 hours to a mere 45 minutes. The airport is located on a plot of 1,200rai (acres) and its runway is 1,800meters long.

Like its older sister airports, the architecture of Trat Airport’s open-air passenger terminals are built in the spirit of genuine respect for the local people, culture, and surrounding environment. The airport maintains the highest and strict safety-standards in accordance to international regulations, as well as boasting the most modern wastewater treatment facilities.

Trat Airport’s aim is to improve business links with the eastern provinces of Thailand and the neighboring Chantaburi province. It also acts a hub to the popular resort island of Koh Chang and its neighboring islands. With its unspoiled beaches and a plethora of Thai delicacies to be found, Trat Airport achieves to release the provinces’ tremendous tourism potential.

Future plans for the airport involve introducing services to other important business centers and tourist destinations in Thailand’s south and northeast regions. The potential for including Trat on twin or multiple center itineraries also appears excellent considering the fact that popular resort destinations of Koh Samui and Phuket are just a little more than an hour away.