Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK)

Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) has a complicated smoking situation that catches many travelers off guard. All indoor smoking rooms were permanently closed in February 2019, and a 2025 attempt by Airports of Thailand to reintroduce prototype indoor rooms was rejected by Thailand's National Tobacco Control Committee. What remains is a handful of outdoor landside spots and one paid lounge airside.

Before Security

The four officially designated smoking areas are all outdoors on the 1st floor (Ground Floor) of the terminal complex:

• In front of the Airport Police Station (1st Floor) - one of the most established and clearly marked spots

• In front of Magic Food Court, Gate 10 (1st Floor) - easy to find because the food court is a well-known landmark

• Parking Building Zone 2 (1st Floor) - access via the pedestrian walkway from the terminal

• Parking Building Zone 3 (1st Floor) - at the opposite end of the parking complex

Beyond the official four, travelers also report tolerated (but not officially designated) spots at:

• The Door 1 / Door 10 curb area at the far end of the departures level - ashtrays are present and airport staff reportedly direct smokers here

• The S1 bus stop area on the ground level near the Khaosan bus stop - ashtrays visible

• Entrance 8 (Ground Floor) - cross the pedestrian bridge toward the parking facility; the spot is on the right near the parking lot entrance

You must stay at least 5 meters from building entrances. Not all tolerated spots are marked, so look for ashtrays or ask airport staff.

After Security

Airside options are very limited. The only reliably documented option is the Miracle Lounge, located in the international departures concourse near Gate D5 (Concourse D). It has an open-air outdoor smoking terrace. Entry costs 1,500 THB (approximately $42 USD) and includes food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and up to 2 hours of lounge access. This is a walk-in paid entry - no lounge membership is required, but you do need to pay.

SAT-1 Satellite Terminal

Reports about smoking options in the SAT-1 satellite terminal (near Gates S110-S122) are conflicting. Some travelers in early 2026 found informal smoking areas near those gates; others found them closed or blocked. The indoor prototype rooms that AOT trialled in SAT-1 in 2025 were removed after the national committee rejected the proposal. Do not count on anything being available in SAT-1 - check on arrival.

Vaping Rules

E-cigarettes, vapes, heated tobacco devices, and all electronic nicotine delivery systems are completely illegal in Thailand. This is not a minor rule - penalties include up to 10 years in prison or fines up to 500,000 THB (approximately $15,000 USD). Thai customs at BKK actively screens for these devices. Do not bring any vaping products into Thailand under any circumstances.

Transit and Layovers

If you are in transit and need to smoke, the Miracle Lounge near Gate D5 at 1,500 THB is your practical option without exiting the terminal. Exiting to use landside smoking areas means clearing security again on your return, which adds significant time.

Bottom Line

Smoke before you clear security if at all possible; once airside, your only realistic option is paying 1,500 THB to enter the Miracle Lounge near Gate D5. Plan ahead and allow extra time.