We recently did a report on the five highest passenger airports in the world, which were all coincidentally spread throughout the various southern regions of China. But today, we will travel further south to visit the tropical paradise of Thailand. The country has over 30 airports that provide scheduled passenger service, among many airstrips only open for general aviation. But which are the top five highest in altitude?
5 Lampang
Starting at number five is Lampang Airport (LPT), serving the capital city of Lampang Province in northern Thailand. Originally opening in 1923, this airport sits at 247 meters (810 feet) above sea level and has one runway 1,971 meters (6,470 feet) long.
The domestic airport has four daily scheduled flights between two regional carriers, Bangkok Airways and Nok Air. Bangkok Airways operates three of these flights and shuttles passengers between Lampang and Suvarnabhumi Airport, the key international airport in Bangkok. Nok Air offers service from Lampang to Don Mueang international airport, the other major airport in Bangkok.
4 Loei
Located further east is Loei Airport, also connecting a city on the outskirts of Thailand to the capital city of Bangkok. Loei Airport, established in 1954, sits at an altitude of 262 meters (860 feet). Info is scarce, though pictures and a government-run website depict a small passenger terminal with a few shops and a lounge.
Depending on the day, there are two or three flights at Loei Airport. They all go to Bangkok, and like Lampang, passengers have two options: Nok Air and Thai AirAsia. However, no matter which airline you choose, the only destination is Don Mueang international airport.
3 Mae Hong Son
Mae Hong Son Airport (HGN) takes third place, located right at the border of Myanmar. This medium-sized domestic airport has an elevation of 280 meters (928 feet) and a single runway 2000 meters (6562 feet) long. Currently, Nok Air flies a Dash 8 once per day between Mae Hong Son and their base airport in Bangkok.
2 Chiang Mai
Thailand’s second-highest passenger airport is one of its six major international hubs, Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX). It sits 316 meters (1,037 feet) above sea level and has the longest runway of all the airports on this list, with its single runway 18/36 reaching 3100 meters (10,171 feet). The Royal Thai Air Force owns Chiang Mai International Airport, a combined public and military airport.
Chiang Mai is incredibly well-connected, with direct flights across most Asian airlines to China, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Qatar, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam. There are just as many domestic flights as well between various Thai carriers, especially helping connect regional international travelers to more remote holiday vacation destinations.
1 Mae Fah Luang
Sitting at 390 meters (1,280 feet) high, in the northernmost province of Thailand, is Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI). Mae Fah Luang replaced the Old Chiang Rai Airport, which now sees use for local events and recreational activities.
Despite its classification as an international airport due to previous flights to China, it currently only serves domestic routes, almost all of which go to Bangkok. Between Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Thai Smile, and Thai VietJet Air, there are nearly 20 daily flights from Chiang Rai to Bangkok and back, in addition to a route to Phuket every other day.
Have you ever traveled to Thailand? How was your experience? Let us know in the comments!
Sources: Bigorre, FlightRadar24