BANGKOK – Airfares between Bangkok and Chiang Mai have surged to more than THB 33,000 ($977) during the Yi Peng lantern festival, prompting Thailand’s deputy transport minister to blame online travel agencies for inflated prices and advise passengers to book directly with airlines.
Siripong Angkasakulkiat, deputy transport minister, said on Thursday (12 November) that low-cost airlines are subject to a fare ceiling of approximately THB 5,000 ($148) per flight on the route, while full-service carriers have a limit of more than THB 7,000 ($207).
He explained that flights to Chiang Mai had been reduced by approximately 60 per day during the festival to avoid sky lanterns, creating a shortage of seats amid strong demand.
Siripong said some online travel agencies (OTAs) and travel agents were taking advantage of the situation by raising ticket prices. , certain foreign-based booking platforms are not currently subject to Thailand’s fare controls.Unlike airlines
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is seeking cooperation with the Commerce Ministry to introduce regulations requiring online booking platforms to register in Thailand and comply with fare ceilings.
Siripong said he hoped the measures could be introduced by next year.
In the meantime, he advised passengers to book directly through airline websites, where regulated fare ceilings apply, or use Thai-registered travel agencies.
He also expressed concern that excessively high airfares could discourage domestic tourism if the problem remained unresolved.