Chiang Mai:Bangkok The Ministry of Transport has addressed the issue of high airfares to Chiang Mai during the Yi Peng festival, attributing the elevated costs to travel agency pricing. It has suggested that travelers purchase tickets directly from low-cost airlines to keep expenses under 5,000 baht.
According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr. Siripong Akrasakulkiat, highlighted the surge in ticket prices for flights between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, which have exceeded 20,000 baht during the Loy Krathong or Yi Peng festival. He emphasized the role of the Ministry of Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority in regulating airfare and safety standards, stating that low-cost airline fares should not exceed 5,000 baht per trip, although prices vary based on promotions.
The surge in ticket prices is partly due to the Yi Peng festival, during which lanterns are released into the sky, necessitating a reduction in flight schedules to ensure safety. This reduction has led to approximately 60 fewer flights per day between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. The scarcity of flights during the festival period has allowed travel agencies with ticket quotas to inflate prices. Currently, there is no legislation to regulate Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), which are often foreign companies not registered in Thailand. The Civil Aviation Authority has formally requested the Ministry of Commerce to consider enacting legislation requiring OTAs to register in Thailand and implement measures to control maximum prices.
Mr. Siripong noted that the Ministry of Transport, along with the Office of the Consumer Protection Board and the Ministry of Commerce, could collaborate to prevent future occurrences of such pricing issues. He advised travelers to book directly with airlines or through Thai-regulated travel agencies to avoid inflated costs.
Efforts are underway to amend existing laws to include OTAs under airfare regulations. Mr. Siripong has urged the Civil Aviation Authority to expedite its proposals to the Ministry of Commerce, with an aim to address the issue by next year. He reiterated that purchasing tickets directly from airlines ensures adherence to the legal price ceiling, allowing customers to file complaints if overcharged. While the reduction in flights is a factor in the increased fares, Mr. Siripong expressed concern that high ticket prices might adversely impact domestic tourism, despite ongoing efforts to promote it.