'The Most Beautiful Airport in the World'....Samui International

This is an airport like no other. The one where I can be found wayyyy before my departure time - where I don't mind flight delays - where I just want to hang around for ages. I mean at which other airport can you stop and smell the frangipani's; sit in the garden on quirkily designed benches; enjoy water features, lily ponds and exotic plants and flowers? I love to lean back into a tall chair in the departure lounge, munch my complimentary popcorn and watch passengers in transit. I think Samui airport has a soothing effect on many people....organic spaces tend to do that. 

Situated on the northern part of the island near Bo Phut Beach, Samui Airport is a low rise development with thatched roofs, palm tree pillars, wooden and rattan walls and a clever open air cooling system- this is an eco friendly, aesthetically beautiful airport that blends in with the surrounding environment and has an impressively low carbon footprint. 

Samui airport is owned and managed by Bangkok Airways (BA) and was designed originally by the Habita Company of architects following the vision of the BA's CEO Dr. Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth. The official opening was in 1989 and in 1997 a major upgrade was undertaken with new terminals, flight routes etc. The overall look of Samui airport is described as 'ambience of a Polynesian resort, contemporary Thai design and minimalist architecture' - there have been multiple awards given- no surprises there. 

I can't wait for my next stop over...

Let's start with the lights, at the check in counters..

Thatched roofs...palms, loads of foliage...

There's a lot of water around too...

And gorgeous exotic fleurs...

Samui Park Avenue, the walking street, lined with high end boutiques...

Little Miss Traveller checking her hair...

Weirdly shaped benches and chairs are here and there...

Designs in the concrete ground tiles...love...

The lights shades in the circular shaped departure hall...

Lateral Paul Instagramming in a tall backed chair...

Love the shapes...

Note the roof design, and the tram that ferries passengers to and from the planes...it's quite quaint...

Old fashioned signage...I hope it stays that way...

Stop and sniff the frangipani's...

Farewell beautiful Samui airport, until next time...

All pics taken on my Canon 600D, copyright DIVA PR.