Airport Lounge Guide: Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) is situated in the capital district of Mueang Chiang Mai, and is the main air portal to the wonders of northern Thailand. Chiang Mai, affectionately known as the ‘Rose of the North’, is a lively city with a rich heritage and surrounded by beautiful mountain landscapes
As the nation's fourth busiest airport, Chiang Mai International welcomes millions of travellers annually. It is located conveniently just 10 minutes from Chiang Mai's city centre and features two Terminals: one dedicated to domestic flights and another for international services.
Whether you're starting your Thailand adventure or heading to your next destination, knowing your lounge options can significantly enhance your airport experience. This guide provides all the details you need for Chiang Mai airport lounge access.
List of Lounges at CNX
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) offers five lounges across its Domestic and International Terminals:
Domestic:
International:
Domestic Terminal
The Coral Executive Lounge
The Domestic Coral Executive Lounge is a small zone designed more for efficiency. The lounge uses its compact space well, with seating options ranging from counter style bar seating to small marble-topped café tables.
Location: Situated on the 2nd Floor of the Domestic Terminal, near Gate 8.
Opening Hours: 06:00-22:00 daily (6am- 10pm)
Entrance to the Domestic Coral Executive Lounge at Chiang Mai International Airport
Amenities: Hot and cold food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, Wi-Fi, workstations, power outlets, newspapers & magazines, air conditioning, complimentary 15-minute neck massage.
Access Duration: Maximum 3 hours.
Children: Complimentary access for children under 2 years of age when accompanied by an adult.
Access Options:
LoungePair Pass: Purchase a flexible lounge pass via LoungePair, which offers walk-up access without a fixed time/date booking. LoungePair offers 3 hours access from $33 USD (~1,100 THB), a fully refundable pass for an additional $5 USD (~160 THB) or included at no additional cost with a LoungePair+ membership.
Other Online Advance Purchase Methods: Lounge Pass and Plaza Premium offer the ability to purchase a pass to The Coral Executive Lounge, for $33 USD and $38 USD, respectively. Both options require that you select a fixed time and date of use, and have a restricted purchase window of at least 24 hours before time of your visit.
Lounge Membership: Priority Pass members can enter this lounge. If you have an existing membership with DragonPass you can also access the Coral Executive Lounge. You may be entitled to bring one or more guests, depending on how you have obtained your membership.
Credit Card Programs: Mastercard (Loungekey), American Express Platinum and Diners Club cardholders have access here. Capital One Venture X cardholders and Venture X Business primary cardholders also enjoy unlimited complimentary access when also enrolled in Priority Pass.
Pay at the Door: Walk-in access is available for most travellers. Expect prices around THB 1,200 (approx. USD $38) for up to 3 hours of use. Walk-up access is subject to availability, and we recommend booking your access in advance where possible.
Bangkok Airways Lounge
Bangkok Airways offers two types of airport lounges: the Blue Ribbon Club Lounge and the Boutique Lounge.
The Blue Ribbon Club Lounge is designed for business class and FlyerBonus Premier Members passengers and offers a higher level of amenities, including a more extensive food and beverage selection, shower rooms, massage rooms, and a private library. The Boutique Lounge is a more basic option, offering a selection of Thai desserts, international snacks, and various beverages.
The most amazing thing about Bangkok Airways is that they grant free access for all passengers - including in Economy - to the Boutique Lounge. So if you are flying with Bangkok Airways on a domestic flight, you will have access to this lounge at no cost, and should not be buying a pass or using your membership at any other lounge, unless you are looking for an upgrade, or a lounge post-security, like The Coral Executive Lounge covered above.
Location: Domestic Terminal Landside - you’ll find both lounge spaces on the 2nd floor of the terminal, pre-security - see map below from the Bangkok Airways website. The lounge is pre-security so ensure you leave ample time to clear security and get to your boarding gate.
The following photos are of the Blue Ribbon Club area of the Bangkok Airways lounge. As you’ll see, the space is higher quality than the Boutique Lounge area, with photos of that space to follow.
Opening Hours: 08:00 to 14:00 (8am-2pm) and again from 17:30 to 19:00 (5:30pm-7pm) daily, aligning with Bangkok Airways flight schedules.
Amenities: TVs, refreshments, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, hot and cold dishes (e.g. pastries, Thai snacks, sandwiches), charging stations, workstations, newspapers & magazines.
Access Options for the Bangkok Airways Blue Ribbon Lounge:
LoungePair Pass: Purchase a flexible lounge pass via LoungePair, which offers walk-up access without a fixed time/date booking, for travellers on any airline. LoungePair offers 2 hours access from $40 USD (~1,400 THB), a fully refundable pass for an additional $6 USD (~200 THB), or a free pass when purchased alongside LoungePair+ membership.
Airline Status or Travel Class: If you’re flying Business Class with Bangkok Airways with a same day departure, or you’re a FlyerBonus Premier member, you’ll have access to the Blue Ribbon Club Lounge area. FlyerBonus members can also redeem 4,000 points for access to the Blue Ribbon Lounge.
Lounge Membership: Priority Pass members can enter this lounge. If you have an existing membership with DragonPass you can also access the Coral Executive Lounge. You may be entitled to bring one or more guests, depending on how you have obtained your membership.
Credit Card Programs: Mastercard (Loungekey), American Express Platinum and Diners Club cardholders have access here. Capital One Venture X cardholders and Venture X Business primary cardholders also enjoy unlimited complimentary access when also enrolled in Priority Pass.
Upgrade Options from Boutique Lounge: All other passengers on Bangkok Airways can purchase a lounge upgrade to the Blue Ribbon Lounge at the special rate THB 950 (~$30 USD) per person through various channels as:
Call center 1771 (08:00-20:00 every day)
Within booking flow or through 'Manage Booking' on bangkokair.com
Check-in counter
Blue Ribbon Club Lounge
Children: Complimentary access for children under 2 years of age when accompanied by an adult.
Access Duration: Maximum 3 hours.
The following photos are of the Boutique Lounge area of the Bangkok Airways lounge. Free snacks and drinks, but slightly more plastic looking chairs!
Opening Hours: 08:00-19:30 (8am-7:30pm)
Amenities: TVs, refreshments, newspapers & magazines, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, flight monitors, food (pastries, sandwiches, fruit, snacks), alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Access Duration: Maximum 3 hours.
Children: Complimentary access for children under 2 years of age when accompanied by an adult.
Access Options for the Bangkok Airways Boutique Lounge:
Note that for the paid and membership options below, the price of the pass or the access benefit is the same as for the Blue Ribbon Lounge. We tell you this, as you will generally be better off buying a pass or using your membership to access that space instead.
LoungePair Pass: Purchase a flexible lounge pass via LoungePair, which offers walk-up access without a fixed time/date booking, for travellers on any airline. LoungePair offers 2 hours access from $40 USD (~1,400 THB), a fully refundable pass for an additional $6 USD (~200 THB), or a free pass when purchased alongside LoungePair+ membership.
Lounge Membership: Priority Pass members can enter this lounge. If you have an existing membership with DragonPass you can also access the Coral Executive Lounge. You may be entitled to bring one or more guests, depending on how you have obtained your membership.
Credit Card Programs: Mastercard (Loungekey), American Express Platinum and Diners Club cardholders have access here. Capital One Venture X cardholders and Venture X Business primary cardholders also enjoy unlimited complimentary access when also enrolled in Priority Pass.
All Bangkok Airways Passengers: All guests travelling with Bangkok Airways who cannot otherwise access the Bangkok Airways Blue Ribbon Lounge can access the more basic Boutique Lounge area - for free. This includes those travelling in Economy. You will not need to buy a lounge pass or use a lounge membership.
Children: Complimentary access for children under 2 years of age when accompanied by an adult.
Access Duration: Maximum 3 hours.
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge (Royal Silk Lounge)
The Royal Orchid Lounge is sometimes referred to as the Royal Silk Lounge (a branding term used for Business Class services). The space is smaller than most, with a capacity of around 50 seats, but upholds the Thai Airways signature elegance and hospitality.
The lounge has been designed with deep purples, golds, and neutrals, reflecting Thai Airways’ royal-inspired branding. For seating, padded armchairs and sofas are arranged in clusters, with coffee tables and work-friendly side tables.
Location: Situated airside in Domestic Departures on the 2nd Floor, opposite Gate 3.
Opening Hours: 06:30-21:00 daily (6:30am-9:30pm)
Amenities: Wi-Fi, TVs, air conditioning, traditional food and ice Cream (fresh local dairy product from farm), charging stations, snack and refreshment bar, flight monitors, magazines and newspapers.
Access Duration: Maximum 2.5 hours
Children: Complimentary access for children under 2 years of age when accompanied by an adult.
Access Options:
Lounge Membership: Priority Pass members can enter this lounge. You may be entitled to bring one or more guests, depending on how you have obtained your membership.
Credit Card Programs: American Express Platinum and Diners Club cardholders have access here. Capital One Venture X cardholders and Venture X Business primary cardholders also enjoy unlimited complimentary access when also enrolled in Priority Pass.
Travel Class or Airline Status: Access to the Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge is granted to Star Alliance Business Class passengers (no guest allowed), and to Royal Orchid Platinum and Gold members flying THAI, Thai Smile, or any Star Alliance airline, each allowed one guest traveling on the same day. Star Alliance Gold members flying THAI, Star Alliance, or with a connecting itinerary including a Star Connecting Partner are also permitted one guest.
Lounge access is also extended to Air Canada Maple Leaf Club Worldwide and United Club members with one guest, provided they are departing on a same-day Star Alliance flight. All guests must be departing the same day or by 5:00 AM the next morning, and within lounge operating hours.
International Terminal
The Coral Executive Lounge
The International Coral Executive Lounge is an elegant space, with a subtle brass, sage and ivory colour palette. It offers a welcome contrast to the hectic pace of international travel. It is the only lounge at Chiang Mai that is available for those travelling international.
Location: Located airside on the 2nd Floor of the International Departure Hall, conveniently next to the VAT refund office.
Opening Hours: 07:00 - 23:00 daily (7am-11pm)
Amenities: TVs, refreshments, flight monitors, Wi-Fi, beer, food, newspapers & magazines, air conditioning, neck and shoulder massage.
Access Duration: Maximum 3 hours.
Children: Complimentary access for children under 2 years of age when accopanied by an adult.
Access Options:
LoungePair Pass: Purchase a flexible lounge pass via LoungePair, which offers walk-up access without a fixed time/date booking. LoungePair offers 3 hours access from $32 USD (~1,100 THB), a fully refundable pass for an additional $5.00 USD (~160 THB), or a free pass when purchased alongside LoungePair+ membership.
Other Online Advance Purchase Methods: Lounge Pass and Plaza Premium offer the ability to purchase a pass to The Coral Executive Lounge, for $32 USD and $38 USD, respectively. Both options require that you select a fixed time and date of use, and have a restricted purchase window of at least 24 hours before time of your visit.
Lounge Membership: Priority Pass members can enter this lounge. If you have an existing membership with DragonPass you can also access The Coral Executive Lounge. You may be entitled to bring one or more guests, depending on how you have obtained your membership.
Cardholders: Mastercard (Loungekey), American Express Platinum and Diners Club cardholders have access here. Capital One Venture X cardholders and Venture X Business primary cardholders also enjoy unlimited complimentary access when also enrolled in Priority Pass.
Airline Access: Travellers flying Thai AirAsia who purchase the airline’s Red Carpet priority service are entitled to complimentary entry to The Coral Executive Lounge.
Pay at the Door: Walk-in access is available for most travellers. Expect prices around THB 1,200 (approx. USD $38) for up to 3 hours of use. Walk-up access is subject to availability, and we recommend booking your access in advance where possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I access lounges at CNX with Priority Pass?
Yes, The Coral Executive Lounges, both Bangkok Airways Lounges, and the Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge are generally accessible to Priority Pass members, subject to capacity and terms.
What amenities are available in Chiang Mai airport lounges?
Common amenities include comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, food and beverages (ranging from snacks to hot meals), air conditioning, flight information screens, and reading materials. Some, like The Coral Executive Lounges, offer complimentary massages.
Do Bangkok Airways passengers get lounge access at CNX?
Yes, passengers flying with Bangkok Airways will receive complimentary access to the Bangkok Airways Blue Ribbon Lounge or Boutique Lounge depending on their ticket class (e.g., Blue Ribbon Class) or FlyerBonus membership level. Access can also be purchased for those not flying with Bangkok Airways, or for those who want to upgrade from the Boutique Lounge space to the Blue Ribbon Lounge.
Is there a Thai Airways lounge at Chiang Mai airport?
Yes, the Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge is available in the Domestic Terminal for eligible Thai Airways and Star Alliance passengers.
In Summary
Chiang Mai International Airport may be small, but its five lounges offer comfort, for both domestic and international flights. Whether you're sipping tea at the serene International Coral Executive Lounge, stretching out in the exclusive Blue Ribbon Club, or enjoying Thai hospitality in the Royal Orchid Lounge, there’s a seat with your name on it.
This guide was last updated: June 2025