Suvarnabhumi Defends Airport Food Prices With Budget Options

Suvarnabhumi Airport has defended food prices at its international passenger terminal, saying restaurants and beverage outlets are required to keep their prices within 20% of normal market prices.

The clarification from Airports of Thailand (AOT) came after Khaosod English published a post on 9 August asking followers whether food at Suvarnabhumi Airport was too expensive. The post cited complaints from some passengers who said food inside the international departure terminal was significantly more expensive than similar items outside the airport, with some saying certain prices were several times higher than normal.

In its response to Khaosod English, AOT said Suvarnabhumi Airport has a wide range of restaurants and beverage outlets, with prices varying according to the type of establishment and menu. The airport said this gives passengers and other users a range of choices based on their preferences and budgets.

Budget food options

AOT said King Power Suvarnabhumi Co., Ltd. (KPS), which has the concession to manage commercial activities inside the passenger terminal, has also introduced budget food options under its "Suvarnabhumi Food Guide" program for 2026-27. The program offers food sets starting at 50 baht, AOT said.

Examples include a Krispy Kreme doughnut set with one can of soft drink, as well as a Bonchon chicken set with sundubu soup, Japanese rice and a 600-milliliter bottle of Purra mineral water for 280 baht.

The airport also pointed to Magic Food Point, a food court on the first floor of the passenger terminal, as another budget option. Prices there start at 30 baht, and the food court offers a variety of food and drinks 24 hours a day.

Prices monitored monthly

AOT said restaurants and beverage outlets at Suvarnabhumi Airport operated under KPS are subject to contractual conditions requiring them to control prices so they do not exceed 20% above market prices. The benchmark is based on regular selling prices at department stores and leading hotels in Bangkok, rather than prices at restaurants located outside the airport generally.

AOT said it receives pricing information from KPS and checks the submitted prices every month to ensure compliance with the conditions.

The airport acknowledged the concerns raised by passengers and said their comments and suggestions would be taken into consideration as part of efforts to improve services.

AOT also said it would coordinate with relevant operators to encourage them to take into account price, product quality and value for money, while maintaining international service standards at the airport.