BANGKOK, Thailand – The Ministry of Transport said on Thursday that airfares exceeding 20,000 baht ($590) between Bangkok and Chiang Mai during the Yi Peng lantern festival were driven by third-party travel agencies, prompting plans to seek regulations on online booking platforms.
Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat said the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) enforces price ceilings on airlines, capping one-way fares on the Bangkok–Chiang Mai route at 5,000 baht for low-cost carriers and just over 7,000 baht for full-service airlines. He attributed the seasonal supply crunch to flight reductions—by roughly 60 flights per day—to avoid sky lanterns released during the festival, combined with high travel demand.
Siripong explained that airlines sell ticket quotas to Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) and traditional travel agencies, which then mark up prices during peak demand. Because most OTAs are foreign-registered companies operating outside Thai jurisdiction, they are not subject to domestic fare caps.
To address the issue, CAAT has sent a formal letter to the Ministry of Commerce requesting legislation requiring OTAs to register in Thailand and comply with maximum price ceilings. Siripong said the ministries of Transport and Commerce, along with the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), would coordinate to have the regulatory mechanism in place by next year.
Meanwhile, Siripong advised travelers to book directly through airline websites or locally registered travel agencies, noting that passengers overcharged on direct airline bookings can file official complaints. He added that unchecked fare spikes during festivals risk discouraging domestic tourism. (TNA)
