I am a seasoned traveler and have been to Thailand many times. This time, however, I am doing something a little different and have a question. My international arrival is at about 2am at Suvarnabhumi and I have a 9am domestic flight out of Don Muang(same day). I have decided to just burn up those extra hours in the airport which won't be too terribly long once I clear customs and immigration and then travel time between between airports. My question is that I noticed that nearly all flights out of Don Muang commence about 6am at the earliest. Would the waiting area in Don Muang be open in the middle of the night for someone like me that would like to "camp out" for a few hours? If not I will just chill at Suvaranbhumi until say 5am and then head for Don Muang. Anyone know???

I can't answer your question, but if I had the choice between spending three hours at Suvarnabhumi or three hours at Don Muang I would go for the former. It's newer, bigger and has more choice of restaurants, bars and shops to keep yourself occupied for the few hours you'll be twiddling your thumbs for. I never liked the concrete monstrosity that is Don Muang.

JMHO

I agree 100% but I don't believe that I can access those areas. That is beyond screening and I think only ticketed passengers are allowed. I will also have ALL of my luggage with me, could you imagine how screening would pick apart my belonings, LOL.

Now I think that I would rather spend my time at Don Muang. I have never liked the new airport and the choice of places to eat is **** I think. I know I am in a smaller minority with this. I can never whittle my time away looking at the duty free shops as they are expensive beyond the normal.
By the time you clear customs and maybe have a coffee taking your time then travel to the other airport time will be going on. I if flights commence at 6am the desks will be open a good hour before that.
At least you will know that that you are there and can , when you can, settle down to wait for your flight. You won't be able to check in for it any earlier than the desks opening though.
You may not have to battle for taxis at that time as well.

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Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

Agree with Jaxw. I hate the new airport, don't even want to write the name, and way prefer Don Muang.
By the time you get there it will be open, so I would go there, get rid of your luggage asap and look a bit around.

Gee, I thought I was the only controversial one that didn't like Suvarnabhumi. I think it is absolutely ghastly and I'm glad to see that there are others who share my opinion on this corrupted airport.

You will be OK at Don Muang. I flew out of DM last year to Chiang Mai on the 10 pm flight and I noted that the airport is still open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You might also notice that Don Muang has 56 gates and the new airport . . . wait for it . . .has 58! That's Thailand Government foresight and planning for you. Two additional gates for the next 10 years whilst they are expecting an increase in tourism over that period of 20%!

Thanks folks. So it is open 24hrs., that works :) I'm outta here tomorrow. Three nights in Sakon Nakhon, one night BKK, two nights Khao Sok, two nights Chieow Laan Lake, four nights Khao Lak, one night BKK. The craziest thing about this trip is that I will not have to kiss my Thai girlfriend goodbye when I leave, she is coming back to the states with me. She was granted her visa on the 17th of December so we are both really excited about that.

Good Luck atheris. I hope it all works out for you.
I can remember seeing some photo's of you and your girl. I know why you're excited. If her personality matches her looks you will be one of the luckiest guys on earth.
Have fun and give us a trip report when you return. I would especially like to hear about Khao Lak as I have it short listed for my next visit.

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I love Thailand this much

That's great news! Have a good trip... and beyond

Perhaps I've wronged Don Muang? My memories of it were not great, whereas Suvarnabhumi struck me architecturally and interiorally (yes, I know it's not a word, but it is now!) as superior when I visited it a day or so after its opening. I did accept the new airport had a lot wrong with it in terms of planning (and still does?), and it's no Changi, but still... I guess I've been seduced by its bling!

I am just like a dog with two whatsits because I am not on my own with how I think about the new airport. I was a bit closet about it before but hey I'm out now LOL

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Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.