The Thai government is taking action to address the issue of expensive airplane tickets in the country, which has been affecting the tourism industry and the economy. Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha is closely monitoring the situation, according to a government spokesperson, Anucha Burapachaisri.
During a recent cabinet meeting, the Ministry of Transport presented guidelines proposed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) to tackle the problem. The measures include increasing airline capacity by allowing more flights into Thailand, allowing airline slots that were provided before the pandemic, increasing ground-handling operators, and urging clients to plan their flights and arrive at the airport in advance to avoid complications.
The authorities will also revise certain rules to be more in line with the current situation and encourage competition. The CAAT has met with airline representatives and held workshops to gather complaints and suggestions from the public and private sectors to amend guidelines that offer fair prices for passengers. The CAAT has published fare rates for each semester on its website and conducted inspections to ensure that airlines do not raise ticket prices arbitrarily amid higher consumer demand.
According to reports from the Transport Ministry, domestic flight demand has significantly recovered, especially during the final half of 2022, which coincides with the peak travel season. Domestic passengers have surged by 85%, while international passengers have increased by 53.89%, leaving airlines struggling to meet the rising travel demand after downsizing their fleets during the pandemic.
The government’s efforts aim to maintain fairness for consumers by keeping flight fares reasonable and encouraging tourism and economic growth. The Thai authorities will continue to monitor the situation and take necessary steps to address the issue.