Thailand has a wide range of transport options that make it very easy to travel through the country affordably and relatively quickly. Thailand has few domestic full-service and low-cost airlines serving a large network of domestic airports.
Domestic Airlines
THAI Airways and Bangkok Airways are the major full-service airlines on the internal flight network. Low-cost carriers such as Thai AirAsia, Thai Smile, Thai Lionair and Nok Air make traveling by air inside Thailand convenient for a very reasonable price.
Fares with the low-cost carriers are often comparable to train or bus fares, especially if you book online far enough in advance. Airline tickets can be purchased online direct with the airlines or through travel agents and third-party flight agencies.
Thailand Airports
There are plenty of domestic airports to choose from.
Airports in Bangkok
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) – Thailand’s main hub mostly used for long-haul and full-service flights.
Don Mueang Airport (DMK) – Bangkok’s second airport well connected with all Thailand regions and other Southeast Asian countries by low-cost carriers.
Airports in Southern Thailand
Phuket Airport (HKT) – the third busiest airport in the country serving as the main gateway to the biggest island of Thailand which is Phuket.
Hat Yai Airport (HDY) – airport of the fourth largest city in Thailand Hat Yai which can be useful if planning a crossing overland to Malaysia.
Krabi Airport (KBV) – connection for popular destinations in Krabi province such as Ao Nang, Railay, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta.
Samui Airport (USM) – the main gateway to Koh Samui and nearby islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
Surat Thani Airport (URT) – the main airport of Surat Thani province that can be used as a more budget friendly option for reaching Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
Chumphon Airport (CJM) – more direct tourist gateway from Bangkok to the islands of the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui.
Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport (NST) – connecting Bangkok and the capital of the second largest province in Southern Thailand.
Narathiwat Airport (NAW) – used for reaching Deep Southern Thailand from Bangkok.
Ranong Airport (UNN) – gateway of Ranong which can be used as a starting point of the trip to Koh Phayam or for a visa run by boat to Myanmar.
Trang Airport (TST) – airport used for reaching Trang and province’s archipelago in the Andaman Sea.
Airports in Central Thailand
Hua Hin Airport (HHQ) – airport used for connecting Thailand's Royal Beach Resort Hua Hin with Chiang Mai.
Mae Sot Airport (MAQ) – convenient for those planning overland border crossing to Myanmar.
Airports in Eastern Thailand
U-Tapao International Airport (UTP) – airport conveniently connecting beach resort Pattaya and Koh Samet with destination in Southern, Northern and Northeast Thailand.
Trat Airport (TDX) – time saving option for traveling to Koh Chang and nearby islands from Bangkok.
Airports in Northern Thailand
Chiang Mai Airport (CNX) – the main travel hub of Northern Thailand located in Chiang Mai.
Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI) – Thailand’s northernmost airport can useful if you are visiting Chiang Rai, Golden Triangle or planning a trip to Luang Prabang in Laos by Mekong River.
Sukhothai Airport (THS) – airport connecting Historic Town of Sukhothai with Bangkok by full-service carrier.
Phitsanulok Airport (PHS) – more budget friendly option that can be used as a gateway to Sukhothai.
Lampang Airport (LPT) – airport connecting the third largest town in Northern Thailand with Bangkok.
Mae Hong Son Airport (HGN) – time saving connection of small town Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai.
Nan Nakhon Airport (NNT) - airport used for connecting sleepy town of Nan with Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
Pai Airport (PYY) - time saving connection of relaxed Pai and Chiang Mai.
Phrae Airport (PRH) – easier option for traveling from Chiang Mai to the capital of Phrae Province.
Airports in Northeast Thailand
Udon Thani International Airport (UTH) – the main travel hub of Isan region which is useful for overland border crossing to Vientiane, the capital of Laos.
Ubon Ratchathani Airport (UBP) – connection to one of the biggest Isan cities Ubon Ratchathani which is useful for overland border crossing to Pakse in southern Laos or northern Cambodia.
Buriram Airport (BFV) – connecting Bangkok with Buriram, used as the base for exploring ancient sandstone Khmer sanctuaries and temples in the surrounding area.
Khon Kaen Airport (KKC) – airport of one of the four major cities of Isan, Khon Kaen.
Loei Airport (LOE) – convenient for traveling to Chiang Khan, town famous among Thai tourists.
Nakhon Phanom Airport (KOP) - connection with Nakhon Phanom province which can be useful for overland border crossing to Laos.
Roi Et Airport (ROI) – connecting Bangkok with Roi Et, a town in Isan.
Sakon Nakhon Airport (SNO) – connecting Bangkok with Sakhon Nakhon, a town in Isan.
Map of Thailand Airports
Bangkok is the country’s main hub, though many of the low-cost carriers use only Don Mueang airport. You should allow three to four hours if the change of airports is needed for a connecting flight as it will be enough of time for catching a free shuttle bus between the airports.