Don Muang

Dong Muang is well established with good location for anyone who prefer to stay on the city outskirts. This district lies approximately 20 kilometres north of downtown Bangkok. Bounded by Pathum Thani province and Nonthaburi Province, it is best known for being home to the city's former international airport, Don Muang. Its long history of commercial aviation dating back to 1924 ended in late 2006 when the new airport, Suvarnabhumi, opened to great fanfare. However, while Don Muang Airport may have had its heyday - it once handled around 38 million passengers each year - it and the surrounding area is by no means history.

For starters, the old airport has been redeployed. Since March, 2007, some domestic flights have been operating out of Don Muang. This looks set to be a long-term arrangement while teething problems continue to be ironed out at Suvarnabhumi. Then, beyond helping out Bangkok's problem-riddled new airport, there are the area's other qualities: the nearby IMPACT arena exhibition and convention centre, the Muang Thong Thani satellite city, several shopping malls and golf courses.

An inheritance from its past as international travel hub are the many hotels here. Today these offer great value for overnight stopovers if you're due to catch an onward domestic flight. In addition, a modern Expressway connects this area to all major parts of the city, quickly and convenient gateway to areas like Ladprao, Chatuchak, downtown Bangkok, and Rangsit in the north. All things considered, you're unlikely to head to Don Muang for beauty, but if you're happy to stay on the outskirts of town you may be grateful for its practicality.