Govt: Chiang Mai Flight Surge Due to Demand, Agent Pricing
The Thai government attributes soaring Chiang Mai airfares during Loy Krathong to high demand and limited capacity caused by festival-related flight adjustments. Investigators found that inflated prices on booking platforms come from third-party agents using dynamic pricing, not airlines. Authorities recommend booking directly with carriers to avoid overpaying and ensure ticket validity.
Deputy government spokesperson Ploythale Lakshmi Sanchan disclosed that after reports of abnormally high fares for Bangkok-Chiang Mai flights during the Loy Krathong period (Nov 23-26), the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) investigated. The probe found extremely high demand combined with schedule changes to accommodate lantern festivals in Chiang Mai province, limiting flights and seats — especially inbound flights on Nov 23-24 and return flights on Nov 25-26. Direct checks on airline websites showed many carriers already sold out for those dates. Cases of excessively high fares appearing on online sales channels reflect prices posted by ticket agents or platforms, likely driven by automated pricing algorithms when inventory is low or nearly full; these are not the airlines' direct fares. Seat-availability data on some platforms may also not match real-time sales status. Passengers are advised to verify prices and seat status directly with airlines before purchasing to ensure they receive valid tickets at fares within the legal ceiling.
