For a city that acts as one of Asia’s – indeed, the world’s – most important transportation hubs, you would think that Bangkok would have a large number of airports. However, despite the city’s long love affair with aviation, Bangkok only has two. And up until 28 September, 2006, it only had one – the legendary Don Mueang Airport, the oldest operating airport in Asia.

Don Mueang’s history goes back to March 1914, when it was opened as the Royal Thai Air Force Base (for a bit of scale, this was four months before the start of World War I). It started commercial operations in 1924, when a Dutch KLM airplane touched down in what was then Siam, and hasn’t looked back since.

Don Mueang is well known in aviation circles, partly because of its interesting history, and partly because it seems to be the airport that just won’t die. In the years since it opened, it has played a major role in many of Asia’s most important events. It was a key strategic location during the destructive Boworadet Rebellion in 1933; it was bombed by the Japanese army during their occupation of Thailand in WWII; used by the British Air Force as a staging area when the Japanese were driven out; again by the Americans during the Vietnam War; and served as one of Asia’s busiest – some say best – airports during its 82 year history. In March of 2014, it celebrated its 100th year in operation.

“So long, Don Mueang!”

But in September 2006, most thought that it was time to shut the doors for good. This is when Bangkok’s massive new airport, Suvarnabhumi (pronounced soo-wanna-boom) opened. But when Suvarnabhumi proved that it wasn’t quite ready for prime time, it was decided that Don Mueang would serve as the home airport for domestic flights, with Suvarnabhumi handling international ones.

Don Mueang was shut down again in 2011 when Bangkok’s outlying areas were hit with major flooding. Dramatic images were splashed across the papers of its two runways completely underwater, sad-looking planes sitting alone on the tarmac. Luckily, Suvarnabhumi wasn’t affected and, always the badass, Don Mueang was back in business in no time once the waters receded.

Both airports are still operating at peak capacity today, doing their best to shuttle millions of people in, around, and out of Thailand every year. In fact, it’s a common friendly debate among long-time expats about which airport is the better one – Suvarnabhumi with its high-tech glass and steel construction, or Don Mueang, with 100 years of real world service under its belt.

Bonus fact

Although Don Mueang is the oldest still operating airport in Bangkok, it’s not the oldest. In 1910 – three years before Don Mueang opened, and only 8 years after the Wright brothers mastered heavier-than-air flight – pilots were using Sa Pathum Airfield to test their brand new flying machines. In 1911 a Belgian pilot named Vanden Born landed on Sa Pathum with his Farman biplane (named Orville Wright, of course).

Among the audience was HRM King Rama VI, who was so impressed that three army officers were sent to France for a year to learn how to fly, and in 1913, the Royal Thai Air Force was created. You can still see Sa Pathum today – although now it’s Sa Pathum Horse Racing track on the grounds of the Royal Bangkok Sports Club, right in the middle of the city.

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The post Bangkok’s Surprising Aviation History first appeared on Smiling Albino.

Time management. Efficiency. Productivity.

You might not realize it, but your holiday has begun the minute you contact Smiling Albino.

Sure, some people like to “do it themselves” and piece together a trip based on information gleaned from old Internet blog postings or out-of-date travel guide books, but the most successful people I know of are relentless in the pursuit of greater efficiency in their lives. Many of them have made careers out of making sure that their lives and organizations are run effectively and those people know when to leave a job to an expert.

We take your time very seriously, whether that is during the planning stages of your trip or once you hit the ground running in the country that you land in.

When someone plans their own trip they end up ticking off boxes on a list of things to do rather than entering a world of authentic experiences.

Smiling Albino has spent years reading local newspapers, asking local friends and wandering the streets in search of the best ways to really have an intimate cultural experience in whatever city you may find yourself in.

We take your ideas, dreams, and desires to customize a personalized experience that we are sure you will remember for a lifetime.

Start your next holiday right this minute – contact us now at info@smilingalbino.com.

Daniel Fraser,
Smiling Albino Adventurer-in-Chief

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Adventure Highlights:

From our Blog: Benefits of Travel with Kids (Plus Tips for Making it Easier) Read more. . .

Travel shows our kids that the world is bigger than they are, and that people are different… and very much the same. Taking our children traveling is an investment into their future, and into the type of person they will become.

Here are two of travel’s major benefits and a couple of tips for making travel with kids easier on you. Read More. . .

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What’s Going On:

Planes, trains, and Pagodas

Dan’s currently in Myanmar finalizing the finishing touches for our newest tour edition “Asia’s Golden Land”. First adventure will happen this November! See full itinerary here.

Contact Smiling Albino for inquiries and questions!

PURE Life Experiences 2014

We will be back at PURE LIfe Experiences 2014, November 10-13 in Marrekech. We look forward to seeing you there at the global marketplace of high-end experiential travel!

Coming Soon!

We are in the process of a rebrand to the Smiling Albino identity. To be released in July! Expect the same caring, detailed attention from Smiling Albino with a new and improved company website!

Good for a laugh!

Connect With Smiling Albino!

Facebook and Twitter: “Like” and “follow” us on Facebook and Twitter and you will get tuned-in to the latest breaking news and hot tips on travel and adventure in Asia.

Planet Asia Travel Channel: Subscribe to the Planet Asia Travel Channel and receive expert advice and insider tips on travel in Asia from the team at Smiling Albino and our network of in-the-know locals, expatriates, and travel enthusiasts.

NEW on Google+ and Pinterest: Now even easier to connect and stay up to date with us!

Contact: Get a hold of us any time.

The post Don’t waste your valuable time! – Albino Smiles, July 2014 first appeared on Smiling Albino.