Suvarnabhumi Airport, under the guidance of Director Kittipong Kittikachorn, is set to handle approximately 1.8 million travelers during the 2026 Songkran festival from April 11 to 20. The influx includes 1.5 million international and 300,000 domestic passengers. A marginal decrease of 1.9% in passenger numbers compared to last year is expected despite global unrest.
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The airport projects around 1,100 flights daily, with notable growth in charter flights, especially from China. In response, an Operation Command Centre (OCC) is established to integrate personnel from various agencies including AOT, immigration, customs, and security for continuous 24-hour monitoring. Enhanced staffing at immigration counters and the use of the Auto Gate system for Thai nationals aim to expedite processing.
To facilitate smoother operations, Suvarnabhumi Airport is offering free parking in Zone C and a shuttle service to the terminal every 15 minutes. Airlines and tenants are relocating their vehicles to temporary spaces to free up parking for passengers. There are plans for constructing a fourth parking building to address current demand. Moreover, the SAWASDEE by AOT application encourages passengers to pre-book taxis, minimizing public transport wait times.
Cultural activities are being introduced to enhance the travel experience. On departure, passengers can engage in traditional water-pouring rituals and enjoy a free Wat Pho "Thai massage" exhibition. Arriving travelers receive souvenir water guns to create a lasting impression. However, travelers are advised to allocate additional time for journeys due to the Main Terminal's check-in bottlenecks.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Nation · 13 Apr 2026
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