Flying from Don Mueang next year could hit travellers in the pocket before they even leave the ground: airport bosses have announced a parking price hike from December.
Don Mueang International Airport confirmed that parking fees across all its facilities will rise sharply, with the 7-24 hour rate more than doubling from 110 baht to 250 baht. The revised structure will come into effect on December 1.
The new charges apply to the basement car park at Terminal 1, the seven-storey car park near Terminal 2, and the three-storey car park in the old building.
Under the changes, rates will be calculated by the hour, with partial minutes rounded up to a full hour. While the first 15 minutes remain free, prices climb steeply after that.
The updated rates are as follows:
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1 hour: 25 baht
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2 hours: 50 baht
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3 hours: 80 baht
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4 hours: 110 baht (previously 40 baht)
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5 hours: 145 baht (previously 60 baht)
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6 hours: 180 baht (previously 80 baht)
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7-24 hours: 250 baht (previously 110 baht)
A Don Mueang spokesperson said the move was necessary to reflect rising operational costs and to improve facilities for passengers.
“The new fee structure ensures we can maintain high standards of service and better manage the increasing demand for parking.”
However, the sharp increase is expected to spark frustration among regular travellers, particularly those who rely on long-stay parking when travelling abroad. Some critics have already labelled the jump from 110 to 250 baht “excessive” and warned it could drive passengers to alternative transport options, reported The Nation.
Airport officials urged drivers to plan and make use of public transport where possible, stressing that the revised charges bring Don Mueang in line with other major airports in the region.
For more information, passengers can contact the Public Transport Management Centre at 0-2535-1247 or the Don Mueang Airport Public Relations Centre at 0-2535-1192, both open 24 hours.
In similar news, Thailand’s aviation market has welcomed a new entrant as Thai SmartLynx Airlines received its first aircraft, an Airbus A320, marking the carrier’s official debut. The 13.4 year old jet, now registered as HS-SXA, arrived at Bangkok Don Mueang Airport on August 22.
Previously operated by SilkAir, the aircraft had been stored in Denpasar, Indonesia, since late last year before undergoing maintenance and its transfer flight to Thailand.
The story Parking pain: Don Mueang slaps higher charges on travellers as seen on Thaiger News.
