If anyone flies to Thailand these days they will land at the world largest airport, the newly built Suwannaphum. Apart from wondering why the Thais gave it a name so difficult to pronounce, few tourists will comprehend the significance of the name.
The airport took over 20 years to build and for all of them was called Nong Ngu Hao after the lake it was built on, Cobra Lake Airport. At the last moment this was changed to Suwannaphum. The government make sveral claims including, the name Cobra was unlucky or Nong Ngu Hao couldn't be pronounced by foriegn tourists.
The real reason is much deeper and more nationalistic. Legend tells of a great civilisation of gold existing in SE Asia 2300 years ago. The location of this SE Asian Eldorado remains a mystery. Each country from Burma to Indonesia teaching children at school and putting displays in the national museums saying it was in their country. Thais naturally believe Suwannaphum was in Thailand. So calling the airport Suwannaphum is sending a big message to their partners in ASIAN.