CAAT explains the surge in Bangkok–Chiang Mai flight tickets during the Loy Krathong festival from 23 to 26 November is due to flight reductions implementing sky lantern safety measures, with seats nearly full. It warns against trusting prices on online platforms and recommends checking directly with airlines. The agency emphasizes fares must not exceed legal price caps.
Air Chief Marshal Manat Chawana Prayoon, Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). He revealed that rumors about abnormally high ticket prices for Bangkok–Chiang Mai flights during the Loy Krathong festival from 23 to 26 November 2026 stem from increased travel demand and flight schedule adjustments to accommodate sky lantern release activities in Chiang Mai. This has limited available flights and seats, especially outbound flights on 23–24 November and return flights on 25–26 November. Checking airline websites directly shows many carriers have no tickets left for those dates.
Regarding unusually high ticket prices found on online sales platforms, CAAT explains these prices are set by ticket agents or platforms and may result from pricing algorithms when seats are nearly full. These prices are not directly set by airlines. Also, seat availability information on some platforms may not match actual sales status. CAAT recommends passengers verify prices and seat availability directly with airlines before purchasing to ensure tickets are valid and fare caps are respected.
Additionally, CAAT urges passengers planning travel during the festival to allow extra time and closely check flight schedules with airlines, as changes may occur to align with safety measures during sky lantern events. Passengers should prepare luggage according to aviation security rules, especially carrying power banks onboard and not in checked baggage, to reduce delays during screening and facilitate travel amid high passenger volume.
CAAT will continuously monitor fares to promote price transparency, fair competition, and passenger rights protection. If passengers face issues or are not properly served by airlines, they can file complaints via CAAT's complaint system athttps://complaint.caat.or.th
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