Shortest connecting flight duration between arriving at DMK and leaving out of BBK?

You're right to be skeptical. Even if your flight's on time, you're looking at 30-45 minutes just to clear immigration and grab your bag at DMK, then the real gamble is the drive. The expressway from Don Mueang to Suvarnabhumi at that hour can take an hour or more depending on accidents, and the airport rail link won't help you with luggage from DMK. Bangkok Airways does have a good reputation for holding flights a few minutes if they see connecting passengers, but 20 minutes of padding is not enough for this route. I'd look at the 9:20pm Bangkok Airways flight instead, which gives you a comfortable three and a half hours and lets you grab dinner at the Magic Food Court in BKK's basement.

arrow_drop_up 22 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

ngl that 2h20 window with a checked bag is basically impossible unless you've got a helicopter waiting. dmk immigration can take 20 mins on a good day and 45 if you're unlucky, then bag claim adds another 10-15. by the time you're out the door it's probably 6:15-6:30 and the expressway from don mueang to suvarnabhumi at rush hour is a solid 45-60 mins minimum. even if you sprint to the counter at 7:15, most airlines close check-in 30-40 mins before departure for international so you'd be shut out.

your best bet if you really want to try is to fly vietnam airlines or thai airasia which both operate out of dmk so you skip the transfer entirely. or book the 9:20pm bangkok airways flight like someone mentioned, that gives you time to grab a khao man gai at the magic food court in bkk basement which is way cheaper than the upstairs restaurants

arrow_drop_up 3 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

honestly you already know the answer. that's a hard no with a checked bag. immigration at DMK can be a crapshoot and then you gotta haul across the city. Bangkok traffic at 6pm is its own special circle of hell.

arrow_drop_up 0 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

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.

arrow_drop_up 5 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

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.

arrow_drop_up 4 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

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

arrow_drop_up 2 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply