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February 8, 2025
Amid the bustling atmosphere of Suvarnabhumi Airport, where passengers eagerly gaze at flight information dashboards, a significant change could be on the horizon. Airport authorities are mulling over the idea of reintroducing smoking rooms within the terminals of Thailand’s key airports. This move, championed by Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT), could potentially bring a breath of fresh—or should we say, smoky—air to frequent flyers.
AoT President Kirati Kijmanawat voiced the call for change, noting that the request comes on the heels of numerous complaints. Passengers, especially those on marathon connecting flights, find themselves with limited options when it comes to lighting up. With nothing but the hands of the clock spinning, some determined individuals have resorted to puffing away in non-smoking areas like washrooms, willingly absorbing the sting of fines to satisfy their cravings.
But it’s not just fines being triggered. The pervasive scent of cigarettes has been setting off fire alarms, leading to chaos and confusion that none would wish upon an already-strained traveler. With such sparks of discontent, AoT finds itself under pressure to curtail these incidents and is thus appealing for the installation of designated smoking rooms in airport terminals.
Operating six major airports, including renowned names like Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, and Hat Yai, AoT believes that such facilities would not only enhance the overall travel experience but also safeguard the health and comfort of passengers. After all, reducing fire risks and maintaining air quality indoors directly impacts both smokers and non-smokers alike. Additionally, they argue that this initiative serves as a diplomatic smoke signal to preserve Thailand’s elegant tourism image and protect the rights of passengers trapped in transit without an escape route.
In pursuit of this smoky endeavor, AoT has formally reached out to the Ministry of Public Health, seeking an amendment to the existing regulations that currently confine smokers to outdoor smoking areas. Through high-level negotiations with the director-general of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), AoT aims to redefine the boundaries of smoking within airport terminals.
While the tobacco-control committee is busy establishing a working group to dissect the issue, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin plays the role of an impartial bystander. He acknowledges the plight of AoT but underscores his personal belief that airport airspace should remain unsullied by smoke. The committee intends to delve deeply into whether accessible outdoor smoking areas might suffice, possibly reachable within a minute or so by an electric train. Just imagine the thrill of two back-to-back trials: a quick smoke and a brisk train ride!
The discussions have already prompted practical exploration, as representatives from the DDC have trooped over to Suvarnabhumi Airport to scout potential spots for these much-debated smoking rooms. But the road is not without bumps. Current regulations just don’t jive with a smoke-lover’s jet-setting needs, falling short compared to airports in Singapore, Japan, and Istanbul, where the indoors offer solace to smokers.
Conversely, advocates for smoke-free sanctuaries are still holding firm. Naowarat Charoenka of the National Health Foundation’s Thai Health Academy stands at the forefront of this crusade. She cautions that reinstating smoking rooms could jeopardize Thailand’s stride toward meeting top-notch international airport safety standards. She points to a growing global sentiment steering airports toward a smoke-free future, hinting that a return to smoking rooms could have Thailand puffing in the opposite direction.
As these deliberations unfold, passengers around the world casually wait and watch. Whether the future brings whiffs of change or a seamless smoke-free experience remains to be seen, but it surely is a subject that invites spirited discussion from every corner of the globe—or at least every corner of the airport.
Suvarnabhumi Airport’s Potential Reintroduction of Smoking Rooms: A Balancing Act in 2025
BY EDITORIAL TEAM ON FEBRUARY 7, 2025Amid the bustling atmosphere of Suvarnabhumi Airport, where passengers eagerly gaze at flight information dashboards, a significant change could be on the horizon. Airport authorities are mulling over the idea of reintroducing smoking rooms within the terminals of Thailand’s key airports. This move, championed by Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT), could potentially bring a breath of fresh—or should we say, smoky—air to frequent flyers.
AoT President Kirati Kijmanawat voiced the call for change, noting that the request comes on the heels of numerous complaints. Passengers, especially those on marathon connecting flights, find themselves with limited options when it comes to lighting up. With nothing but the hands of the clock spinning, some determined individuals have resorted to puffing away in non-smoking areas like washrooms, willingly absorbing the sting of fines to satisfy their cravings.
But it’s not just fines being triggered. The pervasive scent of cigarettes has been setting off fire alarms, leading to chaos and confusion that none would wish upon an already-strained traveler. With such sparks of discontent, AoT finds itself under pressure to curtail these incidents and is thus appealing for the installation of designated smoking rooms in airport terminals.
Operating six major airports, including renowned names like Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, and Hat Yai, AoT believes that such facilities would not only enhance the overall travel experience but also safeguard the health and comfort of passengers. After all, reducing fire risks and maintaining air quality indoors directly impacts both smokers and non-smokers alike. Additionally, they argue that this initiative serves as a diplomatic smoke signal to preserve Thailand’s elegant tourism image and protect the rights of passengers trapped in transit without an escape route.
In pursuit of this smoky endeavor, AoT has formally reached out to the Ministry of Public Health, seeking an amendment to the existing regulations that currently confine smokers to outdoor smoking areas. Through high-level negotiations with the director-general of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), AoT aims to redefine the boundaries of smoking within airport terminals.
While the tobacco-control committee is busy establishing a working group to dissect the issue, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin plays the role of an impartial bystander. He acknowledges the plight of AoT but underscores his personal belief that airport airspace should remain unsullied by smoke. The committee intends to delve deeply into whether accessible outdoor smoking areas might suffice, possibly reachable within a minute or so by an electric train. Just imagine the thrill of two back-to-back trials: a quick smoke and a brisk train ride!
The discussions have already prompted practical exploration, as representatives from the DDC have trooped over to Suvarnabhumi Airport to scout potential spots for these much-debated smoking rooms. But the road is not without bumps. Current regulations just don’t jive with a smoke-lover’s jet-setting needs, falling short compared to airports in Singapore, Japan, and Istanbul, where the indoors offer solace to smokers.
Conversely, advocates for smoke-free sanctuaries are still holding firm. Naowarat Charoenka of the National Health Foundation’s Thai Health Academy stands at the forefront of this crusade. She cautions that reinstating smoking rooms could jeopardize Thailand’s stride toward meeting top-notch international airport safety standards. She points to a growing global sentiment steering airports toward a smoke-free future, hinting that a return to smoking rooms could have Thailand puffing in the opposite direction.
As these deliberations unfold, passengers around the world casually wait and watch. Whether the future brings whiffs of change or a seamless smoke-free experience remains to be seen, but it surely is a subject that invites spirited discussion from every corner of the globe—or at least every corner of the airport.
