Thai Government Addresses High Airfare Prices for Loy Krathong Festival
The Thai government has clarified that high airfare prices for flights to Chiang Mai during the Loy Krathong festival are primarily due to high demand and third-party pricing mechanisms.
The Thai government has responded to public concerns regarding surging airfare prices for flights between Bangkok and Chiang Mai during the upcoming Loy Krathong festival, scheduled for November 23–26, 2026. Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploythalay Laksameesangchan stated that the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has investigated the issue, attributing the high costs to a significant spike in travel demand and limited seat availability during the peak period.
According to the government, the high prices observed on some online platforms are often set by third-party ticket agents or booking platforms rather than the airlines themselves. These systems may automatically adjust prices upward as seat availability decreases. Furthermore, some platforms may display inaccurate seat availability information. The government advises travelers to verify prices and seat status directly through official airline websites to ensure they are purchasing valid tickets at prices compliant with legal fare caps. While the government is monitoring the situation, many direct flights for the peak travel dates of November 23–24 and return flights on November 25–26 are already reported as sold out. Travelers are encouraged to exercise caution when booking through third-party sites to avoid potential issues with ticket validity or inflated costs.
