Narathiwat Airport at a Glance

Narathiwat Airport is the air gateway to Narathiwat, a coastal province in the far south of Thailand that borders the Malaysian state of Kelantan. In Thai it is called ท่าอากาศยานนราธิวาส. Its IATA code is NAW, which is what you will see on tickets and baggage tags, and its ICAO code is VTSC. So if you have searched for "NAW airport" or "Narathiwat airport code", the answer is NAW.

The airport is run by Thailand's Department of Airports, the government agency that manages many of the country's regional airports. It is a compact regional airport with a single runway and a small passenger terminal, built for domestic flights rather than long-haul traffic. For most travellers it is the quickest way to reach the province from Bangkok, cutting a very long overland journey down to a short flight.

Where Narathiwat Airport Is Located

Narathiwat Airport lies roughly 13 km north of Narathiwat town, the provincial capital, which sits at the mouth of the Bang Nara River on the Gulf of Thailand coast. The trip between the terminal and town is a short road journey, and the same roads carry on to other parts of the province.

The province stretches south to the Malaysian border. Its main border towns, Sungai Kolok and Tak Bai, both have crossings into Kelantan, so the airport is also used by travellers heading for the Thai–Malaysian border area.

Flights and Airlines at Narathiwat Airport

Scheduled passenger flights at Narathiwat Airport are operated by Thai AirAsia. The route links NAW with Bangkok's Don Mueang International Airport, and the airline flies it regularly through the week. Don Mueang is Thai AirAsia's base in Bangkok, so it is also where you can connect to many other domestic and regional flights on the same airline.

If you are looking up the Narathiwat airport flight schedule, keep in mind that departure times and the number of weekly flights change with the season and with airline planning. The simplest way to see the current timetable is to search for flights between Narathiwat and Bangkok on Traveloka and compare the dates that suit you.

Flying to Narathiwat from Malaysia or Singapore

There are no scheduled international flights from Narathiwat Airport. Travellers coming from Singapore or Malaysia by air usually fly into Bangkok first and then take the domestic flight to NAW. Others travel overland and enter Thailand at Sungai Kolok or Tak Bai, which are closer to Narathiwat town than the Bangkok flight route might suggest.

Terminal and Facilities at Narathiwat Airport

With one main route, Narathiwat Airport is quiet for much of the day and gets busy around flight times. The terminal is small and easy to navigate: check-in, security and the gate area are close together, and arriving passengers reach the exit within minutes of collecting their bags.

Facilities are limited compared with a big-city airport. Do not count on banks, currency exchange, a wide choice of food or a lounge at the terminal. It is sensible to carry some cash in Thai baht, bring snacks and water if you need them, and charge your phone before you leave, since hotels and restaurants are in town rather than at the airport.

The runway

Narathiwat Airport has a single runway about 2,500 metres long, which is long enough for the narrow-body jets used on the Bangkok route.

Getting Between Narathiwat Airport and Town

There is no rail link to Narathiwat Airport, so every journey to or from the terminal is by road. Transport options waiting at the airport are limited, so the most reliable plan is to arrange a pickup before you fly. Many hotels in Narathiwat town can organise a car to meet your flight, and friends or family collecting you can drive right up to the terminal.

Once you are in town, local transport such as minivans and songthaews (shared pickup trucks) connects Narathiwat with other districts, including Tak Bai and Sungai Kolok. If you plan to continue to the Malaysian border on the same day, allow plenty of time and check border crossing opening hours in advance.

Rail connections in the province

Thailand's Southern Line railway ends at Sungai Kolok station in Narathiwat province, right on the Malaysian border. It is an alternative for travellers who prefer the train, although the journey from Bangkok by rail takes far longer than flying into NAW.

Travel Tips for Narathiwat Airport

• Arrive in good time. The terminal is small, but check-in closes a set time before departure. Check your airline's closing time and plan to be at the airport well before it.
• Check your baggage allowance. Thai AirAsia fares include different baggage options, so add checked luggage when you book if you need it rather than paying at the airport.
• Bring your ID. Domestic flights in Thailand still require valid photo identification; foreign visitors should carry their passport.
• Plan your transfer. Book a hotel pickup or arrange a car before landing, especially for later arrivals.
• Read the latest travel advice. Thailand's southern border provinces are covered by specific government travel advisories in several countries, so check the current guidance for your nationality and your travel insurance terms before you go.
• Respect local customs. Most people in Narathiwat are Malay-speaking Muslims. Dress modestly, and expect some businesses to pause for Friday prayers.

Things to See Around Narathiwat

Narathiwat has a character quite different from Thailand's big tourist centres. Patani Malay is widely spoken, mosques stand alongside Buddhist temples, and the pace of life is relaxed.

• Narathat Beach, next to Narathiwat town, is a long stretch of sand lined with pine trees, with simple beachside restaurants and colourful fishing boats nearby.
• Taksin Ratchaniwet Palace, on a hill outside town, is a royal residence whose grounds are open to visitors when the royal family is not in residence.
• Wadi Al-Husen Mosque in Bacho district is a historic wooden mosque known for blending Thai, Malay and Chinese styles.
• Pa Phru To Daeng is a large peat swamp forest near the border, with boardwalks through a rich wetland habitat.
• Sungai Kolok and Tak Bai are busy border towns where Thai and Malaysian trade meet.

A short hop from Bangkok, Narathiwat makes an unusual trip in southern Thailand. Compare flights to Narathiwat Airport (NAW) and set a Price Alert on Traveloka to book when the timing is right.