A LIMITED number of air tickets being offered at 20% discount by six airlines flying domestic routes to people travelling during Songkran festival has drawn a lot of buyers with 60% sold out, Matichon newspaper said today (Mar. 31).
Sarun Benjanirat, deputy director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), said a total of 17,874 seats on the six airlines have been offered at a lower fare to those flying during April 11-12 and April 15-16 to Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen and Ubon Ratchathani.
It appears 60% of these air tickets have been sold with the most popular flights being those leaving at 5 a.m. to Phuket and Krabi during April 11-13.
However there are few takers for return flights leaving after midnight.
“Tickets at this special price will be sold until they are sold out. However we urge the public to plan their journey in advance because as the holiday draws closer the airfare will climb higher but this will not exceed the ceiling set by CAAT.
“If this special airfare discount goes well we will again ask the six airlines to cooperate and slash prices during the New Year 2025 festival,” Sarun said.
Regarding flights from China after the visa-free agreement signed by the two countries came into effect on March 1, Sarun said the flight capacity has risen to 70%, up from 50-60% in January.
It is expected that more Chinese tourists will be coming during Songkran festival with the visa-free access expected to gradually boost arrivals because it makes it easier for them to travel here.
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