Passengers at Don Mueang airport may soon need to watch their step, quite literally, as concerns grow over poorly maintained flooring, adding to the mounting list of infrastructure worries at one of Bangkok’s busiest gateways. This veteran airport, long a hub for low-cost carriers, handles tens of thousands of travellers each day. It has earned a reputation for efficiency and convenience, yet its age is beginning to show in more ways than one.
While authorities push ahead with ambitious expansion plans, signs of wear and tear are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore - and not just by those who enjoy people-watching while waiting for a flight. (continues below)
Airports of Thailand medics help an injured woman after her leg was caught in a moving walkway at Don Mueang airport in Bangkok in 2023. (Photo: Don Mueang International Airport-DMK Facebook page)
Past incidents have already cast a spotlight on maintenance standards. A widely reported accident involving a loose metal plate on a moving walkway, which resulted in a serious injury, prompted authorities to shut down walkways across the airport for inspection and vow improvements. Though not strictly a flooring issue, the incident raised uncomfortable questions about the condition of surfaces passengers rely on every day - especially those who prefer to keep both feet firmly on the ground.
