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AVIATION IN THAILAND

Thailand’s Introduction to Aviation

Thailand has more than a century of aviation history, beginning in 1911 when the first aviation demonstration flights were held at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club in Bangkok. In 1914, Don Mueang officially opened as Thailand’s permanent military airfield, and the first flights operated there in March of that year. From that point onward, aviation became an increasingly important part of Thailand’s transportation and economic development.

By the end of the 1920s, in addition to Don Mueang Airport, there were airports with customs facilities in Chiang Mai, Songkhla, and Ubol, along with numerous smaller landing fields throughout the country. This growing network helped establish aviation as a vital component of Thailand’s national infrastructure.

Don Mueang Airport served as Bangkok’s primary airport for almost a century. However, as demand for air travel continued to grow, a larger and more modern facility became necessary. In September 2006, Bangkok welcomed the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport, a major step in strengthening Thailand’s position as a regional aviation hub. Suvarnabhumi was assigned the IATA code BKK, which had previously been used by Don Mueang Airport.

With the transfer of commercial operations to Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang was closed to scheduled commercial services. Following renovations, it reopened in March 2007 under the new IATA code DMK, serving primarily low-cost carriers and domestic and regional routes. Over the following years, Don Mueang developed into one of the world’s leading low-cost carrier airports and, in 2015, became the world’s largest low-cost carrier airport by passenger volume.

Today, Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang International Airport together serve as the two main airports of Bangkok, supporting Thailand’s role as a major aviation gateway in Southeast Asia.

Thai Civil Aviation Board (CAB)

The Civil Aviation Board (CAB) is a statutory body established under the Air Navigation Act B.E. 2497 (1954), as amended. The Board forms part of Thailand’s civil aviation regulatory framework and is responsible for exercising powers and duties assigned under the Air Navigation Act, including the issuance of regulations, consideration of civil aviation policy matters, and oversight of certain economic regulatory functions relating to air transport. The CAB operates under the leadership of the Minister of Transport and works in conjunction with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), which serves as Thailand’s independent civil aviation regulator. CAAT is responsible for safety oversight, licensing, certification, aviation security, consumer protection, and ensuring compliance with international civil aviation standards and recommended practices established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Together, the CAB and CAAT support the safe, secure, efficient, and sustainable development of Thailand’s civil aviation sector.

Thai Ministry of Transport

Under the Ministry of Transport, until October 2015 aviation in Thailand was administered by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA). Following an organizational restructuring, the DCA was divided into two separate bodies: the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), which is responsible for civil aviation regulation and oversight, and the Department of Airports (DOA), which operates airports previously managed by the DCA. Functions relating to search and rescue and aircraft accident investigation were transferred to the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport. Aviation-related organizations under the Ministry of Transport include Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd. (AEROTHAI) and Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT).

Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT)

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) was established as an independent State agency under the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand Emergency Decree B.E. 2558 (2015). CAAT is responsible for regulating, overseeing, promoting, and developing civil aviation in Thailand, particularly in the areas of safety, security, environmental protection, and compliance with international standards. It also promotes the development of air transport networks, the aviation industry, and related civil aviation activities to ensure efficiency and sustainable growth. In addition, CAAT inspects and monitors aviation operators and civil aviation activities to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, procedures, and international standards. CAAT serves as the secretariat of the Civil Aviation Board and provides policy recommendations to the Board and the Minister of Transport regarding regulations and legislation related to air navigation.

Thai Department of Airports (DOA)

The Department of Airports (DOA), under the Ministry of Transport, manages Thailand's regional airports formerly operated by the Department of Civil Aviation. It is responsible for ensuring airport safety, security, operational standards, and service quality, as well as coordinating with domestic and international aviation organizations to support the development of Thailand's aviation network. The DOA was established in 2015 following the restructuring of the former Department of Civil Aviation.

Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd. (AEROTHAI)

Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd. (AEROTHAI) was originally established in 1948 as Aeronautical Radio of Siam Ltd. (AEROSIAM) by Aeronautical Radio Inc. (ARINC) of the United States, International Aeradio Ltd. (IAL) of the United Kingdom, and several airline operators to provide air traffic control and aeronautical communication services in Thailand. On 6 November 1963, the Royal Thai Government acquired the entire share capital of the Company and renamed it Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd. (AEROTHAI). Airlines operating in and out of Thailand were subsequently permitted to become minority shareholders. Today, AEROTHAI is a state enterprise under the Ministry of Transport, with A-Shares held by the Government and B-Shares held by 101 member airlines. AEROTHAI is Thailand's air navigation service provider and is responsible for Air Traffic Management (ATM), Communications, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) services, Aeronautical Information Services (AIS), and related air navigation functions within the Bangkok Flight Information Region (Bangkok FIR). AEROTHAI continues to modernize its air navigation infrastructure and strengthen regional cooperation to enhance aviation safety, efficiency, capacity, and connectivity throughout Southeast Asia.

Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT)

Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) traces its origins to the Airports Authority of Thailand (AAT), a state enterprise established in 1979 under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport. As part of the Thai Government's privatization policy, AAT was corporatized and became Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) on 30 September 2002. The Ministry of Finance remains AOT's largest shareholder, holding approximately 70% of the company's shares. AOT is listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) under the ticker symbol AOT and is one of Thailand's largest listed companies. Its headquarters are located in Don Mueang, Bangkok.

Following the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport in 2006, AOT strengthened its role as Thailand's leading airport operator. Today, AOT manages, operates, and develops six major international airports in Thailand: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), Don Mueang International Airport (DMK), Phuket International Airport (HKT), Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX), Hat Yai International Airport (HDY), and Mae Fah Luang–Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI).  Together, these airports handle more than 90% of Thailand's air traffic and serve as critical gateways for both international and domestic travelers.

AOT's revenue is derived from two principal business segments: Aeronautical Revenue, including Landing charges, Parking charges, Passenger service charges, and Aircraft service charges, and Non-Aeronautical Revenue, including Commercial concession revenues, Duty-free and retail operations, Office and real estate rentals, Advertising revenues, Car parking services, and other airport-related service revenues.  These diversified revenue streams support AOT's long-term growth and strengthen its position as a leading airport operator in Southeast Asia. AOT remains committed to delivering world-class airport services, maintaining international safety standards, embracing technological innovation, and promoting sustainable growth for Thailand's aviation industry.

AOT is currently investing in major expansion projects across its airport network, including the East Expansion and South Terminal projects at Suvarnabhumi Airport, the Phase 3 Development Project at Don Mueang International Airport, and capacity enhancement initiatives at Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai airports. These investments are intended to increase passenger capacity, improve operational efficiency, enhance passenger experience, and support Thailand's ambition to become a regional aviation hub.

Thailand’s Airports

Thailand has approximately 39 commercial airports, ranging from major international gateways to regional domestic airports. Airports of Thailand (AOT) operates the country's principal international airports at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai and Phuket. U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport is administered by the Royal Thai Navy, while Bangkok Airways owns and operates Samui Airport and Sukhothai Airport. The Department of Airports (DOA) manages most of Thailand's regional airports and continues to expand and modernize airport infrastructure to support growing domestic and international air travel.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) reported that in 2025 Thai airports handled 145 million passengers, comprising 67 million domestic and 78 million international travelers.  This represents an increase of 4.9 million passengers or 3.54% compared to 2024, and while total volumes remain below the pre-pandemic peak of 161 million passengers, growth remains steady.

Air Traffic Statistics in Thailand

Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited publishes a monthly report of air traffic movements through the airports under its administration.  These include Suvarnabhumi (BKK), Don Mueang (DMK), Chiang Mai (CNX), Hat Yai (HDY), Phuket (HKT) and Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai (CEI), and the figures show aircraft movements and passenger (both domestic and international), freight and mail figures.  AOT statistics can be viewed at this website: http://aot.listedcompany.com/transport.html

Airport Operators Committee (AOC)

The Airport Operators Committee (AOC) is an industry forum representing airlines operating at major airports, typically through their station managers and operational representatives. The committee facilitates coordination between member airlines and Airports of Thailand (AOT) on operational, service, safety, and infrastructure matters affecting airport operations. The AOC also works closely with the Board of Airline Representatives (BAR) and other aviation stakeholders on issues of common interest to the airline community.

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations headquartered in Montreal, Canada. ICAO was established by the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention) in 1944 and currently has 193 Contracting States. Its mandate is to promote the safe, secure, efficient, and orderly development of international civil aviation worldwide. ICAO maintains seven regional offices. The Asia and Pacific Regional Office was originally established in Melbourne, Australia, in 1948 and was relocated to Bangkok, Thailand, in 1955, where it continues to serve the region today.

The ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) was established in 1999 to promote global aviation safety by assessing the effectiveness of States' safety oversight systems and their implementation of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). Today, USOAP operates under a Continuous Monitoring Approach (CMA), which enables ICAO to continuously collect, validate, analyze, and monitor safety oversight information from Member States. Through audits, validation activities, and ongoing monitoring, ICAO identifies safety oversight deficiencies, supports corrective actions, and helps States strengthen their aviation regulatory and oversight capabilities.

International Air Transport Association (IATA)

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is the global trade association for the world's airlines. Founded in 1945 in Havana, Cuba, IATA represents over 370 airlines from more than 130 countries and territories, accounting for approximately 85% of global air traffic. IATA's Head Office is located in Montreal, Canada, and its Executive Office is in Geneva, Switzerland. The Asia-Pacific regional office is located in Singapore, and IATA maintains representation in Thailand through its local office in Bangkok.