Translating to English as“realm of gold”, Suvarnabhumi International Airport is one of two airports in Bangkok and has since become one of Asia’s busiest. Its modern design of long tubular steel and glass corridors have also seen it emerge as one of Instagram’s most photographed places, packed full of shops and amenities that make it a firm traveller favourite.

There’s everything from designer brand boutiques to big name luxury labels and last-minute Thai souvenirs on offer in Suvarnabhumi’s broad range of duty-free shops, as well as more practical travel items like books and universal adaptors. Suvarnabhumi is also renowned for its diverse array of restaurants, serving everything from local Thai favourites to Italian fare and sushi, with the Miracle Food Village offering a lively food court atmosphere and budget-friendly options. For last-minute beauty treatments, there’s spa and massage services available, as well as a hair salon, prayer rooms, pharmacies and smoking areas.

Suvarnabhumi International Airport is located around 25 kilometres to the east of downtown Bangkok, and the Airport Rail Link whisks visitors into town in less than 20 minutes. Alternatively, the Airport Express Bus takes around 45 minutes and there are plenty of taxis waiting in the ranks outside that will drop guests directly at their hotel door. For those connecting with flights at Bangkok’s other airport, Don Mueang, there’s also regular shuttle buses available.

The land on which Suvarnabhumi International Airport is built was originally called Cobra Swamp and purchased as early as 1973 for the purpose of expanding Bangkok’s air transport capacity. After student-led protests and the overthrow of the military government, the project wasn’t reconsidered until 1996, with construction eventually beginning in 2002. It was later discovered that the airport was being built on an old graveyard, and Buddhist monks held a ceremony to appease the spirits and settle the minds of superstitious construction workers.