CAAT urges checks on 28,000-baht Chiang Mai return fare quotes for Yi Peng
Thailand’s aviation regulator urges direct airline checks as booking sites quote Chiang Mai return fares of up to 28,000 baht for Loy Krathong.
- The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is urging travelers to verify fares directly with airlines after booking websites quoted return tickets to Chiang Mai for up to 28,000 baht during the Yi Peng festival.
- CAAT clarified that these unusually high prices were quoted by third-party ticket agents and booking platforms, not by the airlines themselves.
- The regulator explained that pricing mechanisms on booking platforms can generate excessively high quotes when there are very few seats remaining.
- Limited flight availability is attributed to high festival demand and flight schedule adjustments made for safety to accommodate sky lantern releases.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has urged travellers to verify Chiang Mai fares and seat availability directly with airlines after booking websites displayed return fares of up to 28,000 baht for the Loy Krathong and Yi Peng festival period.
CAAT said the unusually high figures were quoted by ticket agents and booking platforms, not offered directly by airlines. Seat availability displayed on some platforms may also differ from the seats airlines actually have for sale.
Booking sites quote Chiang Mai return fares at 18,000–28,000 baht
Thansettakij reported on Thursday (November 12, 2026) that a survey of several leading booking websites found return fares of 18,000–28,000 baht for Chiang Mai travel on 23–25 November. Prices were broadly similar across the websites, while one-way fares averaged about 9,000 baht.
The Chiang Mai prices drew public criticism for being excessive and undermining efforts to promote domestic tourism, with some arguing that overseas holidays could cost less, according to the report.
CAAT said pricing mechanisms on booking platforms could generate unusually high quotes when few seats remained. The regulator advised passengers to check directly with airlines before buying to ensure their tickets were valid for travel and their fares fell within legal ceilings.
Festival demand and lantern releases limit Chiang Mai seats
CAAT attributed limited flight and seat availability on the Bangkok–Chiang Mai route for 23–26 November to higher-than-usual demand and schedule adjustments to accommodate sky lantern releases.
CAAT identified particular pressure on flights to Chiang Mai on 23–24 November and return services on 25–26 November. Checks of airline websites found that many carriers had no tickets left for sale for the relevant dates.
CAAT advises schedule checks and safe packing
Passengers travelling during Loy Krathong and Yi Peng should allow extra time and check flight schedules closely with their airlines, CAAT advised. Further timetable changes may be needed to comply with safety measures during sky lantern releases.
CAAT also advised passengers to prepare baggage in line with aviation security rules, particularly power banks, which must be carried on board and must not be packed in checked luggage. Following the rules would help reduce delays at security screening during the busy travel period.
CAAT will continue monitoring airfares to promote price transparency, fair competition and the protection of passenger rights.
Passengers can lodge complaints through CAAT’s complaints system if they experience problems with airline services or their passenger rights are not upheld.
