Thailand Investigates Nok Air Overbooking, Mandates Passenger Compensation

Thailand's Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) is investigating a passenger denied boarding on Nok Air flight DD593 from Trang to Bangkok due to overbooking on August 16, 2025. The authority is reviewing whether the airline complied fully with passenger protection rights under Civil Aviation Commission Regulation 101.

Overbooking is a standard seat management practice where airlines sell more tickets than available seats based on historical no-show data. However, when all passengers show up, some must be denied boarding.

Under Regulation 101, airlines must first request volunteers to give up their seats in exchange for agreed benefits. If no volunteers come forward and the airline denies boarding, affected passengers are entitled to meals and refreshments, communication assistance, accommodation, and ground transportation if an overnight stay is necessary. The airline must then offer the passenger either a full ticket refund, credit voucher, rebooking on another flight at no cost, or alternative transport such as bus or train service. Domestic flight passengers are also entitled to 1,500 baht in compensation.

CAAT emphasized that these are minimum standards and do not prevent passengers from pursuing additional claims under other applicable laws. The authority will check whether Nok Air followed all required procedures in the DD593 case and will take appropriate action. CAAT advises passengers to check in on time as specified by airlines to ensure their travel rights, and to file complaints if they are denied boarding due to overbooking without receiving proper care or compensation.