Bangkok has two main airports:

1. Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)

2.Don Mueang Airport (DMK)

Both airports are good in their own ways. Now we will discuss which airport is better in which way.

1. Suvarnabhumi Airport:

 The primary airport of Thailand, also unofficially known as Bangkok Airport. Suvarnabhumi is the 20th busiest airport in the world. There is an iconic control tower, and it is one of the tallest towers in the world. Suvarnabhumi is famous for natural lighting — there are many large windows, which reduce artificial light dependency.
Located about 30 km east of central Bangkok.

If you want a luxury trip, BKK is the best option for you.
All the major airlines — Thai Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways — are there. You will get long-haul flights: direct routes to Europe, the Americas, and Australia. Suvarnabhumi Airport is open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. The airport is convenient for late-night flights.

You will find the following for shopping and duty-free: Luxury brands: Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Hermès, Chanel . Thai souvenirs: Silk, spices, handicrafts. Duty-free discounts: Alcohol, perfumes, electronics

Dining options include: Michelin-starred restaurants. Coffee & fast food: Starbucks, McDonald’s, Burger King .Thai street food: Affordable and local flavors

Other facilities include: Premium lounges: Thai Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways . Paid sleep pods: Private cabins (500 THB per hour). Free Wi-Fi: High-speed internet

Disadvantages of Suvarnabhumi Airport:

Suvarnabhumi Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. It handles around 60–65 million passengers annually, which leads to crowds and long queues. Because of this, check-in/immigration can take 1–2 hours. Security checks are also occasionally slow.

Another big problem at Suvarnabhumi Airport is that the prices of food and shopping are higher than at other airports, and some taxi drivers refuse to use the meter.

General Information: 

Phone: +66 2 132 1888

Website: www.suvarnabhumiairport.com

IATA Code: BKK

Time Zone: GMT+7 (Bangkok Standard Time)

Opened: 2006 (replaced Don Mueang as the main airport)

Address:
999 Suvarnabhumi Airport Road,
Racha Thewa, Bang Phli,
Samut Prakan 10540, Thailand

Transportation to the City:

Airport Rail Link: Direct to central Bangkok (Phaya Thai, Makkasan stations)

Taxi: Metered cabs (500–800 THB)

Grab/Bolt: Ride-hailing apps (600–1,000 THB)

Public buses: Cheap but slower

2. Don Mueang Airport (DMK)

Don Mueang Airport (DMK) is the old and secondary airport of Thailand and the world’s largest low-cost carrier hub. The airport is considered one of the world’s oldest international airports and one of Asia’s oldest operating airports. In September 2006, Don Mueang Airport was closed and reopened on 24 March 2007 after renovations. Since the reopening, DMK has become a regional commuter flight hub and the de facto low-cost airline hub. In 2015, it became the world’s largest low-cost carrier airport.

If you want a budget trip, DMK is the best option for you.

All the low-cost airlines — AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, Scoot, VietJet Air — are there.
You will find a budget-friendly airline hub, serving mostly low-cost carriers (LCCs) and regional flights.

Don Mueang Airport is the best for regional (ASEAN) and domestic flights.

Faster immigration, Less crowded, Shorter queues – Compared to Suvarnabhumi (BKK), immigration is usually quicker. Efficient for domestic flights – No immigration, just quick security checks.

You will find: Affordable food & services . Cheap local eats – 7-Eleven, food courts, and street-style vendors available . Decent free Wi-Fi. Decent transport links

General Information:

Address: 222 Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Don Mueang, Bangkok 10210

Phone: +66 2 535 1111

Website: www.donmueangairportthai.com

Operating Hours: 4:00 AM – 11:30 PM (some flights operate outside these hours)

Transportation:

Airport buses (A1, A2, A3, A4): Only ฿30–50 to central Bangkok (BTS/MRT links)

Taxis/Grab: Usually ฿250–400 to downtown (cheaper than BKK)

Disadvantages of Don Mueang Airport:

Don Mueang Airport has some problems:

Limited international routes. Few long-haul flights – Mostly short/medium-haul budget routes. No direct flights to Europe/US – If you want to fly to Europe/US, you must connect via Kuala Lumpur or Singapore

As an old airport: Older facilities. Dated terminals. Limited shopping/duty-free. Fewer luxury brands & high-end stores. Basic lounges – Only 1–2 pay-in lounges (Miracle Lounge)

So, if you want a budget-friendly trip, or short regional trips, or domestic flights within Thailand, Don Mueang is for you.