Why isn't Don Mueang utilised as a secondary international airport for non-budget flights, like Gatwick, Newark, etc.?

Don Mueang has been used for non-budget international flights before, but the problem is it's just too old and cramped for full-service carriers to operate smoothly. The terminal you'd use for those flights, Terminal 1, was built in 2006 and still feels like a 90s regional airport with narrow gates and limited lounge space. Airlines like Emirates or Qatar would need to pay for massive upgrades to the taxiways and passenger bridges to match what they get at Suvarnabhumi, and there's no real incentive for Airports of Thailand to spend that money when Suvarnabhumi has room to expand.

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The main issue is that Don Mueang sits on a floodplain, which is a problem the military airport next door shares. Back in 2011, the whole area was under water for weeks, and that's a risk full-service carriers with expensive aircraft and tight schedules aren't willing to take. Suvarnabhumi was built with a drainage system that can handle that, even if the rest of Bangkok can't. You'd also have the problem of connecting passengers, since there's no direct rail link between the two airports, only a shuttle bus that takes about 45 minutes in good traffic.

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honestly it comes down to politics and money more than anything else. Don Mueang is owned by the Royal Thai Air Force, not AOT, so any major upgrades for full service carriers would require negotiating with the military and that never goes smoothly. also the whole airport layout is a mess for connections, there's no proper rail link and even the expressway gets jammed around Lak Si during rush hour. if you've ever tried getting from Don Mueang to Sukhumvit during peak time you know it's a nightmare, takes over an hour easy. Suvarnabhumi just has better infrastructure for premium airlines even if the taxi queues are ridiculous

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Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

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for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

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honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

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