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Answered4 years ago

Which Thai airlines operate flights from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Chiang Mai, and where can I find them?

Daniel ************
asked Sep 16, 2022
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Hello everyone! This post is not visa related but comes under the everything else category. I am a US citizen flying into Suvarnabhumi Airport next Thursday from Los Angeles, California on United Airlines and plan to go directly from the Suvarnabhumi Airport to Chiang Mai. There are many Thai airlines that fly out of Suvarnabhumi airport to Chiang Mai but thought I would try and book a flight with one that is not far from the United Terminal. I have googled for maps of this airport but have not found one that shows where each airline is located within the airport. Does anyone know of what Thai airlines maybe near the Untied Terminal or can recommend one of these Thai airlines for my flight to Chiang Mai? Many thanks in advance for your reply. Dan
Answer summary
The user, a US citizen, inquires about Thai airlines operating from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Chiang Mai, expressing concern over finding a nearby airline after arriving from Los Angeles. Community responses clarify that all domestic airlines operate from the same domestic section of Suvarnabhumi and suggest Thai Smile, Bangkok Airways, and VietJet as the main options. It's noted that passengers must clear immigration before proceeding to domestic flights, and advice is given on allowing sufficient time for this process.
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Pui *****
Pui *****
There are not multiple terminals at Suvarnabhumi. Not like LAX or JFK. Just one big giant terminal. Won't matter which airline you take. You exit international baggage claim at the same place and go to the departures level where all airlines do their check-ins.
Jody ********
Jody ********
@Daniel ***********
....hello my mutual LAX flyer.

I am in Bali now, will be in CM on the 26th.

Hope to see you around.
Terary **********
Terary **********
I have had issues with VietJet. They are usually the cheapest but their systems is old and has problems. I tried to fly a friend VietJet and they need her to have a photo of my credit card. About 2 months later there was fraudulent activity on that credit card. Now I spend a few bucks more to avoid them.

Regarding nearness of flights I think it won't make much of a difference. I believe you will still go from international to domestic, also I think you will have to go through immigration in BKK.
Daniel ************
Daniel ************
OP
Yes people on this thread have been very helpful. yes i love Chiang Mai and have made friends there. You have a great time there as well!
Baramee ************
Baramee ************
Thai Smile for sure
Eric ********
Eric ********
There’s a lot of good information above, I live in Los Angeles as well and I’m leaving November 1 for three months. Enjoy Chiang Mai, my favorite place!
Giorgio ******
Giorgio ******
After immigration and customs you are in the big hall .

You go upstairs ( 3rd floor)

To be in domestic ! Then you check out for a domestic flight

There are many many 😁😁good luck . To find the shorter trip inside the airport 🤔🤔🤔🤔

Got to find it yourself !!

What is more important ? Shorter trip? ,cheaper flight?

Cheaper soup and coffee are in the domestic part 2nd floor I believe !! Many restaurants . Good trip inside this great airport !
Robert **********
Robert **********
BKK It’s not that bad for arrivals, although you are sent to a central area after immigration and baggage claim. The problem is on departure, you have to walk through a kilometer of duty-free shops to get to your gate.
Jo **********
Jo **********
John ********
John ********
So your flying 15,000 miles but are too lazy to walk a block or two in the airport,pathetic 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Jo **********
Jo **********
@John *******
maybe he has a short connection time I guess your brain is not to strong to consider this and be polite and respectful
John ********
John ********
@Jo *********
what connection time , he’s looking for a airline that means there’s no connection as of yet , do you comprehend now …. He’s lazy plain and simple and his post says it clearly….
Jo **********
Jo **********
@John *******
ok you make a good point - sorry
James ***********
James ***********
There are only a few options from BKK to CNX since most of the budget airlines (AirAsia, NokAir, ThaiLion, etc) use DMK instead of BKK. I think Thai, Thai Smile, Bangkok Airways, and VietJet are the only options from BKK. Whichever Airline you choose, you'll have to clear immigration first. VietJet is the cheapest and perfectly fine for short trips.
Daniel ************
Daniel ************
OP
@James **********
thank you James!
Bobby *******
Bobby *******
After deplaning find a connection taxi to Pattaya, overnight stay and few beers at local boom boom room required. Then next day catch another taxi to the DMK (don muang) airport onwards to CNX (Chiangmai mai), that’s the closest connection you’ll get.

Next closest route is a bus ride to Phuket then Chiangmai and that’ll cost you a few more beers 🙂
Bill *********
Bill *********
I think Thai Smile and Thai airlines are the only ones that fly out of BKK. The others fly out of Dom Mong so you'll have to take a taxi there. You can confirm who flys where by using Traveloka.com. I personally like Thai Smile. You get 20k for luggage, usually a snack, and a carry-on and personal item for free. All the others charge extra for everything and after all the fees Thai Smile is the cheapest.
Lisa ********************
Lisa ********************
@Bill ********
there is a free shuttle bus between the 2 airports. You just have to show proof of flight booking
Luc ************
Luc ************
@Lisa *******************
the shuttle is outside gate 6.
Daniel ************
Daniel ************
OP
Daniel ************
Daniel ************
OP
@Lisa *******************
Thanks Lisa, i did not know about the shuttle. how long does it take to get from one airport to the other using the shuttle?
Lisa ********************
Lisa ********************
@Daniel ***********
about 40 minutes. Depends on traffic.
Bill *********
Bill *********
@Lisa *******************
really! Where is it located in the terminal?
Lisa ********************
Lisa ********************
@Bill ********
I can't remember but there are signs or just ask airport staff. I've used a few times from DM to BKK, and they definitely do return journey.
Sid *******
Sid *******
Bangkok Air has an office upstairs. Very easy to find, just ask information. You can buy a ticket to Chiang Mai there. I just did the same thing. Got though Immigration and Baggage check at 7am. Checked flight schedules, Bangkok Air had flight at 8am. Bought a ticket at office, went back downstairs checked my bag at desk and got boarding pass, went though security and walked on an already boarded plane. Was in the air within 15 minutes. One hour flight to Chiang Mai. Have a great flight.
Daniel ************
Daniel ************
OP
@Sid ******
Thank you Sid!
Otto *********
Otto *********
Except maybe Thai Viet Air.
Colin ***************
Colin ***************
International flights ✈️ BKK. Domestic flights DMK !!!!! ???? Cheers 🍻
Charles ********
Charles ********
@Colin **************
plenty of domestic flights from BKK. I always use as I live to next ARL making it much easier to get to than DMK.
Steve *******
Steve *******
@Colin **************
Not always the case. Lot's of domestic flights out of BKK!!!
Colin ***************
Colin ***************
@Steve ******
Roger that
Jo **********
Jo **********
it does not matter from a location stand point you will need to exit the international terminal and go to domestic. This does take time. The best airline to connect to in my experience is Thai smile.
Daniel ************
Daniel ************
OP
@Jo *********
Thanks Jo, thats another vote for Thai smile
Nick *******
Nick *******
Ever heard of walking? Or hav u been eating too much of that american junk food?
Duncan *******
Duncan *******
United doesn't fly to Thailand - why would you think there is a United Terminal? this isn't the US. You can catch domestic flights from BKK to CNX though with no hassles.
Lewis **************
Lewis **************
@Duncan ******
yes, it does with a layover in Japan. We fly into BKK then take Thai Smile to Chiang Rai.
Duncan *******
Duncan *******
@Lewis *************
What did the plane you caught from Japan say on it's side? At the moment, United don't fly to Thailand, they use code-sharing flights with ANA and Air Japan.
Daniel ************
Daniel ************
OP
Phil Jones Thanks Phil I don't mind the work out

G in
Daniel ************
Daniel ************
OP
@Duncan ******
i booked my flight to BKK through United and have the ticket information in my United App. its does say that the flight is operated by Nippon Airways
Ludwig ***********
Ludwig ***********
There is only one, albeit huge, terminal in Suvarnabhumi. All domestic flights are located on one side of the terminal, you cannot avoid walking from the international end to the domestic end. It is more convenient to book the 2 flights together with the same airline all the way to Chiang Mai (even though your airline may use a code share arrangement for the Chiang Mai flight). Otherwise you have to retrieve your luggage in Bangkok and re-check in. When you have a single booking everything is taken care of by your airline, much less hassle.
Tez ******
Tez ******
Are your legs broken
Daniel ************
Daniel ************
OP
@Tez *****
not yet
Tez ******
Tez ******
@Daniel ***********
Have you been to bkk before. All gates will lead you to the baggage carousel and all exit through the same doors.
Daniel ************
Daniel ************
OP
Thanks Stefan, i am trying to do the carry on only thing. lets see what they say about my Osprey Porter 46L. its designate by Osprey as meeting the carry on limiations but i know they could possibly make me check it in.
Diedy **********
Diedy **********
@Daniel ***********
7, sometimes 10kg is carry-on at most airlines, so 46l is tricky.
Stéfan ********
Stéfan ********
Non hub airlines don’t have designated gates... besides, you need to go through immigration and pick your luggage up, and recheck it with the regional airline, which completely defeats this purpose.
Daniel ************
Daniel ************
OP
Thank you Dan, i am going to Tokyo first as well Both legs are United but actually serviced by Nippon. i will check Thai Smile Airways!
Steve ********
Steve ********
@Daniel ***********
There's three airlines fly from Suvarnabhumi to CM.

Thai Airways (Smile), Bangkok Airways and Thai Vietjet. All the budget airlines fly from Don Muang.
Duncan *******
Duncan *******
@Steve *******
There is four - you missed AirAsia and "all the budget airlines fly from DMK" is wrong - VietJet is a budget airline and AirAsia flies from both.
Daniel ************
Daniel ************
I am flying the same on United (MCO-SFO-NRT) to Tokyo then ANA to Bangkok (BKK) from there take Smile to Chiang Mai (CNX) here is the booking site:
*******************************
Daniel ************
Daniel ************
OP
Thanks Stephen!
Stephen *******
Stephen *******
Nippon Air probably partners with either Thai Airways or Bangkok Air domestically. Then they could give you both boarding passes at checkin. Then your luggage would go straight through and you would use the transfer facility. Just follow the signs.
Stéfan ********
Stéfan ********
@Stephen ******
this won’t work if the 2 flights are booked separately
Steve *******
Steve *******
Use
*****************************
to search your arriving international flight to check to see if the flight has regular arrival delays. Suvarnabhumi only has one terminal and two sections - international and domestic - both are connected to the main terminal with domestic check in and security to the left of the terminal (from the street entrance). However you will need to clear customs and immigration and collect any hold luggage, before then checking into a domestic flight. Most domestic flights have to be checked in 45 minutes before departure and hold luggage will need to be checked. Domestic security is normally quite quick and easy. All domestic airlines fly from the same domestic section of the airport, there is no advantage of one airline over another, although Bangkok Airways does have a very nice free airport lounge with free food and drink that everyone flying with them can use, so if you give yourself more time you can then use that lounge for free food and drink and relaxing. Thai Smile and Bangkok Airways also include 20kg of hold luggage in the ticket price, and Air Asia ticket prices do not work out much difference in price after adding hold luggage.
Daniel ************
Daniel ************
OP
Many thanks Steve! these things i did not know!
Jim ********
Jim ********
Why do you want to go to Chiangmai?
Daniel ************
Daniel ************
OP
@Jim *******
You asked so you are getting and answer. i went to Chiang Main in 2019 and had a great time. i met a Thai woman there and we became very good friends. This Thai woman came down with breast cancer a few months ago and is recovering from a masectomy and chemo. i am going there to help her with her recovery. if she feels well enough she wants to get out of CM and go to a beach town. i am thinking Pranburi which is not too touristy. she is also a deeply devoted Buddhist so i will also take her to Ayutthaya.
Russell *******
Russell *******
@Daniel ***********
That's beautiful, have a great time , 🙏🙏
Jim ********
Jim ********
@Daniel ***********
Very lovely... I hope you two have a lovely time and she has a healthy recovery. I also went to Chiang Mai in 2019. We may have crossed paths. Enjoy Thailand!
Steve ********
Steve ********
Alejandro ***********
Alejandro ***********
@Jim *******
Right? If it only was one of the nicest places in the country 5555
Sam *********
Sam *********
It is a beautiful place, but there are SO many places in Thailand that could get compete for that title...
Daniel ************
Daniel ************
OP
Thank you Jennifer!
Jennifer **************
Jennifer **************
Allow yourself a minimum of 3 hours for the change over!
Glyn **********
Glyn **********
Flying from LA to Chiang Mai would have e been the better option. There's direct flights from Hongkong to Chiang Mai.
Duncan *******
Duncan *******
@Glyn *********
As of currently, there are no flights between CNX and Hong Kong. On booking sites, Hong Kong Express has flights scheduled from November but they haven't made an official announcement yet and that would also depend on any restrictions in Hong Kong. If op wants to transfer in North Asia, Korea would be better and there are regularly scheduled flights to CNX.
Glyn **********
Glyn **********
@Duncan ******
gotta ya. I was looking at this year's ago when I considered spending time in Chiang Mai. Two weeks of smoke and I was gone to the coast.
Daniel ************
Daniel ************
OP
@Glyn *********
i did a Google flights search from LA to Chiang Mai and those flights were very expensive
Glyn **********
Glyn **********
@Daniel ***********
I'm a little surprised, but if their flying half empty this can impact the price. I'd keep an eye on it for future trips.
Daniel ************
Daniel ************
OP
J Brian, looking at my ticket I see that my flight is operated by Nippon Airways under the United banner.
Phil ********
Phil ********
ALL Nippon Airways

aka ANA 🙃
Daniel ************
Daniel ************
OP
Ok thanks again J Brian
Daniel ************
Daniel ************
OP
thanks Jon, i do see flights both from Don Mueng and S****** to CM so i just need to make sure that the flight i choose is leaving from S****************
Jon *****
Jon *****
@Daniel ***********
Keep in mind you might have to change airport, from BKK to DMK
J ******************
J ******************
@Daniel ***********
no Airline has a specific terminal
J ******************
J ******************
There is no United Terminal at BKK Airport .Most of the budget Airlines depart from DMK airport in Bangkok to Chang Mai .Thai Airways, Bangkok Airlines, are the major airlines that fly from BKK.DMK airport is on the other side of the city .
Duncan *******
Duncan *******
@J *****************
Of the discount airlines, only Nok and Thai Lion fly exclusively to CNX from DMK. Vietjet only flies from BKK and AirAsia offers flights from both.
Alejandro ***********
Alejandro ***********
What Brandon said. You will go with everyone thru immigration then go to the domestic terminal so it doesn't matter.
Daniel ************
Daniel ************
OP
Thanks Alejandro i appreciate your advice, i dont mind waiting around a few hours vs not making it to CM that day
Daniel ************
Daniel ************
OP
@Alejandro **********
thanks to the both of you. How long does that walk take? Should I allow about 3 hours between the flights. Or perhaps I could just buy a ticket to Chiang Mai after I get to Bangkok and out of immigration as there seems to be many flights to Chiang Mai that morning.
Alejandro ***********
Alejandro ***********
@Daniel ***********
Quickest I've done it is 30 minutes a couple months ago from landing to the luggage belt. Longest it's ever taken me is 2h many years back. Then from the intl' floor to the domestic departures one you have like 10 minutes, plus queue etc. Allocating 4h is not wild. You might end up with a full 2h to kill but hey better that than missing a flight. Chiang Mai ain't going anywhere anyway hah.

I wouldn't go the buy same day route bc depending on it you'd be surprised, most flights could be full
Jennifer **************
Jennifer **************
@Daniel ***********
3 hours minimum.....the airport is huge!
Daniel ************
Daniel ************
OP
Thanks Brandon and Tony. I definitely don't want to get f#$ked. Thats why I am wondering if I should book my flight to Chiang Mai after I get to Bangkok. Seems like there are many flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai each morning
Tony *********
Tony *********
@Daniel ***********
you have to remember if your first flight into Suvarnabhumi is delayed then your f#$ked with your domestic and you'll have to book again
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
@Daniel ***********
2 hours should be plenty of time as long as there's not 8 international flights arriving at the same time. Most Thai people I know arrive like 30 minutes before their flight.
Ulrik *********
Ulrik *********
@Brandon ***********
some airlines require that you check-in 45 mins before departure.
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
It doesn't really matter. Book whatever is most convenient or cheapest, depending on your needs. You are going to have to leave the international terminal and process through immigration and then go to the domestic terminal either way.

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