Suvarnabhumi Airport opened for international commercial flights on September 28, 2006, replacing Don Mueang as Bangkok's primary gateway and inheriting the BKK IATA code in the process. The idea of building a new airport for Bangkok had been circulating since the 1960s, with land purchased in 1973 and construction finally beginning in 2002. A series of budget overruns, construction issues, and delays pushed the original 2004 opening date back by two years.

Located roughly 25 kilometers east of central Bangkok in Samut Prakan province, the airport is the main hub for Thai Airways International and connects dozens of international carriers across Europe, the Middle East, East Asia, Oceania, and beyond. Its location puts it in one of the world's most tourism-dense regions, making it a critical node for both leisure and business traffic across the Asia-Pacific. By 2024, it was handling over 62 million passengers annually, ranking it among the 20 busiest airports in the world.

The terminal building was designed by Helmut Jahn of Murphy/Jahn Architects, with structural and facade engineering by Werner Sobek. The roof, a lamella structure spanning roughly 561 by 210 meters, floats on 16 supports at a height of approximately 40 meters, flooding the interior with controlled daylight. At opening, BKK held the record for the world's tallest free-standing control tower at 132.2 meters, a title it held until 2014. A midfield satellite terminal, SAT-1, partially opened in September 2023 and reached full operations in early 2024, adding 28 gates and expanding annual capacity. A third runway became operational in November 2024, raising hourly flight capacity from 68 to 94 movements.