BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand is considering bringing back duty-free shopping for arriving passengers at Suvarnabhumi Airport, with officials arguing the move could help ease immigration congestion and improve the passenger experience. Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat said the Airports of Thailand (AOT) has submitted the proposal to the Fiscal Policy Office for consideration. If approved, the proposal would need to go before the Cabinet.
Siripong said the rationale has shifted from the original policy behind the cancellation of arrivals duty-free shopping. Rather than focusing primarily on boosting domestic consumption, officials now see retail, restaurants and other activities as ways to give passengers more options while waiting for immigration clearance. AOT said its assessment following the cancellation of arrivals duty-free shops at six airports found that the policy had not produced the expected increase in domestic spending or the anticipated benefits for airport and national revenues.
If the government approves the return of arrivals duty-free shopping, AOT plans to negotiate with King Power Duty Free over the allocation of space and revenue-sharing arrangements. However, the available space at Suvarnabhumi will be smaller because around 70% of the former duty-free area has already been repurposed for passenger services.
Suvarnabhumi Airport Director Kittipong Kittikhajorn said the former duty-free pickup areas now include services such as baggage assistance and waiting areas for transfer passengers. AOT is also seeking approval to establish designated smoking rooms inside the international departure area. The airport currently falls under a nationwide smoke-free regulation that prohibits smoking rooms inside terminals.
Officials are also planning additional passenger facilities, including a 2,250-square-meter check-in area with 610 seats, 18 self-service check-in kiosks and eight check-in counters. Longer-term plans include expanding Suvarnabhumi’s capacity to 70 million passengers annually through the East Expansion, followed by a South Terminal designed to raise capacity to 120 million passengers. A fourth runway is also planned to increase airport capacity to 120 flights per hour. Officials said the broader development is intended to strengthen Suvarnabhumi’s position as a regional aviation hub and support Thailand’s tourism and aviation industries.
