Chiang Mai airfares top 33,000 baht during Yi Peng

Chiang Mai airfares from Bangkok have climbed above THB 33,000 (about US$977) for some bookings during the Yi Peng lantern festival, and Thailand's deputy transport minister has blamed online travel agents for the spike. He told passengers to book directly with airlines, where fare ceilings apply, Khaosod English reported on Thursday, November 12.

The comments came from Siripong Angkasakulkiat, the deputy transport minister. He said the problem lies mainly with third-party booking platforms rather than the airlines themselves.

Why Chiang Mai airfares jumped

Yi Peng, when thousands of sky lanterns are released over the northern city, is one of Thailand's busiest travel periods. This year, demand has met a sharp cut in supply.

Siripong said flights to Chiang Mai had been reduced by about 60 per day during the festival so that aircraft avoid the lanterns. With fewer seats and strong demand, prices on some platforms rose far above normal levels.

He said some online travel agencies (OTAs) and travel agents took advantage of the shortage by raising ticket prices. Unlike airlines, certain foreign-based booking platforms are not currently covered by Thailand's fare controls.

The fare ceilings airlines must follow

Thai airlines are already subject to price caps on the Bangkok to Chiang Mai route. According to the minister:

• Low-cost airlines face a ceiling of about THB 5,000 (around US$148) per flight.
• Full-service carriers have a limit of a little more than THB 7,000 (around US$207).
• Foreign-based online platforms are not currently bound by these limits.
• Booking on airline websites or through Thai-registered agencies keeps travellers within the capped fares.

That gap explains how a ticket can be sold for several times the legal ceiling. The airline may sell a seat at a capped price, while a reseller lists the same route at a much higher fare.

Plans to regulate booking platforms

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is seeking cooperation with the Commerce Ministry on new rules. These would require online booking platforms to register in Thailand and follow the same fare ceilings as airlines.

Siripong said he hoped the measures could be introduced by next year. Until then, the government's advice is simple: compare fares on the airline's own website first, or use a travel agency registered in Thailand.

He also warned that very high fares could discourage domestic tourism if the problem is not fixed. That concern matters as the year-end high season begins, when domestic travel demand is usually strongest.

What it means for travellers and tourism businesses

For business owners in tourism, high domestic fares are a double-edged sword. Hotels and tour operators in Chiang Mai benefit from full rooms during Yi Peng, but price shocks can push travellers to cancel trips or choose other destinations.

Phuket faces similar pressure during peak dates such as Christmas, New Year and Songkran. Travellers planning a trip south can compare options in our report on TAT flight subsidies for year-end arrivals, while our Loy Krathong in Phuket guide covers the island's own festival plans. For trade policy affecting online shoppers, see our earlier report on Thailand's new import duties.

Practical tips for anyone booking Chiang Mai airfares or other domestic flights during festivals include booking early, checking the airline's own site before using an app, and keeping screenshots of the fare quoted. Travellers who believe they were overcharged can contact the airline or the CAAT for advice.

Officials have not said whether any action will be taken against platforms over this year's Yi Peng prices. Phuket Times will follow the rule changes as the CAAT and the Commerce Ministry develop them.

Image: Chiang Mai International Airport, the gateway affected by high Chiang Mai airfares during Yi Peng. Photo by Setawut, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.