The left side wins overall because it captures the most dramatic single feature of the flight — Taiwan's Central Mountain Range during departure — plus glimpses of the Vietnamese coastline during cruise, while the right side is dominated by featureless open water for most of the route aside from the Bangkok approach.
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Flight Path
Taipei to Bangkok is 1,547 miles (2,489 km), a flight of about 3 hours 25 minutes.
The route crosses the South China Sea near Hainan Island, then passes over the Gulf of Tonkin and along the northern Vietnamese coastline before continuing over Laos and Cambodia into the Gulf of Thailand.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from TPE
LEFTDeparting TPE to the south/southwest, the left side offers a clear view of Taiwan's Central Mountain Range rising sharply behind the Taipei basin, while the right side only shows the flatter Taoyuan coastal plain and Taiwan Strait.
Landing at BKK
RIGHTOn approach into BKK during dry-season operations, arrivals descend from the south over the Gulf of Thailand and Chao Phraya delta, giving right-side passengers a view of Bangkok's skyline and the river winding through the city before touchdown.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Chiang Kai Shek International (TPE) to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Taipei to Bangkok. The left side wins overall because it captures the most dramatic single feature of the flight — Taiwan's Central Mountain Range during departure — plus glimpses of the Vietnamese coastline during cruise, while the right side is dominated by featureless open water for most of the route aside from the Bangkok approach.
What can I see during takeoff from Chiang Kai Shek International in Taipei?
During takeoff from Chiang Kai Shek International (TPE), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing TPE to the south/southwest, the left side offers a clear view of Taiwan's Central Mountain Range rising sharply behind the Taipei basin, while the right side only shows the flatter Taoyuan coastal plain and Taiwan Strait. Notable sights include: Central Mountain Range, Taipei Basin, Tamsui River mouth, Taiwan Strait coastline.
What can I see when landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok?
When landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into BKK during dry-season operations, arrivals descend from the south over the Gulf of Thailand and Chao Phraya delta, giving right-side passengers a view of Bangkok's skyline and the river winding through the city before touchdown. Notable sights include: Chao Phraya River, Bangkok skyline, Gulf of Thailand coastline, Suvarnabhumi's surrounding rice paddies.
How long is the flight from Taipei to Bangkok?
The flight from Chiang Kai Shek International (TPE) to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) takes about 3 hours 25 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,547 miles (2,489 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Taipei to Bangkok flight path pass over?
The route crosses the South China Sea near Hainan Island, then passes over the Gulf of Tonkin and along the northern Vietnamese coastline before continuing over Laos and Cambodia into the Gulf of Thailand.