A tide of hopeful passengers crowded into recently reopened Don Muang Airport Thursday morning with a larger number expected to use air services for upcountry tourism and homecoming trips this year, on the eve of Thailand's annual Songkran New Year festival.

Local residents and tourists alike came to board flights at Don Muang in the morning in larger numbers than usual. Some are Bangkok workers heading home to the provinces to be reunited with their families and celebrate the Songkran festival at home this year.

Bangkok's former Don Muang International Airport, which was closed to commercial flights nearly six months ago following the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport, officially reopened Sunday for domestic flights.

Senior Transport Ministry officials, including Permanent Secretary for Transport Chaisawat Kittipornpaibul were on hand to welcome passengers boarding four Thai Airways International (THAI) and Nok Air flights.

They also welcomed the first group of passengers travelling by Nok Air from the northeastern province of Udon Thani to land at Don Muang at around 8.30 am.

Bangkok's nearly century-old Don Muang airport reopened to domestic flights Sunday to ease the crowds at the city's troubled new airport, authorities said.

Don Muang was one of Asia's busiest hubs until it was shuttered in September, following the opening of the sparkling new Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Some 140 flights carrying 20,000 passengers daily are now set to use the airport, beloved by many for its quirks - including a golf course between the main runways - and its relatively easy access to downtown Bangkok.

BANGKOK, March 18 -- Only one week before domestic flights are to resume service at Bangkok's former Don Muang Airport, Thai Airways International (THAI) Sunday began moving some of its ground service equipment from the new Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Led by a police motorcade, the airline spent almost two hours in moving equipment loaded on 27 trailers and two crane trucks from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok's neighboring province of Samut Prakan to Don Muang.