Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok is bracing for a surge in travellers during the 2026 Songkran festival, deploying cutting-edge technology to manage an estimated 1.06 million passengers across more than 6,551 flights.
The airport expects to handle an average of 106,268 passengers and 656 flights per day between April 10 and 19.
Airport director Wichit Kaewsaitiam said the peak travel day is expected to be April 11, with the heaviest congestion anticipated in the morning and again in the late afternoon.
“To ensure a smooth experience, travellers are strongly advised to arrive at the airport two to three hours before their scheduled departure,” he said.
He added that the airport is relying heavily on automation to reduce bottlenecks.
To streamline passenger journeys, the airport has implemented several technologies, including Common Use Self-Service (CUSS) for rapid self-check-in and Common Use Bag Drop (CUBD) for automated luggage processing.
These systems are complemented by biometric identification to speed up passenger verification, and automated border control gates for both arriving and departing passengers with e-passports, aimed at significantly reducing wait times at immigration.
The airport is offering free parking at Cargo Warehouse Building 4 from April 11 to 15, with a 24-hour shuttle service operating between the parking area and the passenger terminals.
To maintain safety, security teams will increase CCTV monitoring and conduct rigorous airside checks, including on runways and taxiways, to ensure compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
Meanwhile, “Airport Ambassadors” will be stationed throughout the terminals to assist passengers and promote the “SAWASDEE by AOT” mobile app for real-time flight tracking and airport service information.
Festive photo spots have also been set up in the domestic (Terminal 2) and international (Terminal 1) departure halls to welcome Thais returning home and international tourists during the water festival.
