Airlines waive fees as CAAT calls for suspension of late-night domestic flights

Bangkok, 20 April, 2021 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide the following updates to travellers that most airlines are offering flexible rescheduling options following the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand’s (CAAT) call for suspension of all domestic flights between 23.00 Hrs. and 04.00 Hrs., effective from now until further notice.

The CAAT’s announcement followed the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration’s (CCSA) latest announcement urging all people in *18 high-risk provinces or “red zones” to stay at home during late night, from 23.00-04.00 Hrs., as part of the nationwide strengthened COVID-19 control measures to contain local transmission.

AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, Thai Smile Airways, and Thai Vietjet Air are allowing passengers who booked the affected flights to rebook their tickets without rebooking fees or request a refund in the form of a travel voucher to be used for future ticketing. Travellers are advised to directly contact their respective airlines for further arrangements.

According to the CAAT, some 26 flights might be affected by the latest announcement. These include eight from Suvarnabhumi Airport, 11 from Don Mueang International Airport, four from Phuket International Airport, two from Hat Yai International Airport, and one from Chiang Mai International Airport.

The CAAT has told air transport operators or airlines to inform and properly compensate all passengers if the flights are rescheduled or cancelled, as well as consider arranging passenger seats in the aircraft based on social distancing. They must also inform individuals deemed at risk of COVID-19 infection to suspend travel, as they may face legal action under the Communicable Diseases Act.

TAT would like to remind all travellers to take DMHTT precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19: D – Distancing, M – Mask wearing, H – Handwashing, T – Temperature check, and T – Thai Chana contact tracing application.

For regular updates on the tourism-related COVID-19 situation in Thailand, visit the TAT Newsroom via www.tatnews.org; Facebook (tatnews.org); and Twitter (Tatnews_Org).

For additional information and assistance relating to Thailand’s tourism, contact the TAT Contact Centre 1672 or Tourist Police 1155. The *18 high-risk provinces or “red zones” include the capital Bangkok and (region by region) Central: Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, and Suphan Buri; East: Chon Buri, Rayong, and Sa Kaeo; North: Chiang Mai; Northeast: Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Udon Thani; South: Phuket and Songkhla, and West: Prachuap Khiri Khan and Tak.