Are airfares expensive? Round-trip ticket prices between Bangkok and Chiang Mai during the Loy Krathong or "Yi Peng Chiang Mai" festival have exceeded 28,000 baht. The Tourism Industry Council is concerned that such high fares contradict efforts to promote domestic travel and tourism in Thailand.
On 11 Nov 2026 GMT+7, strong criticism emerged among travelers and the tourism sector as round-trip airfare between Bangkok and Chiang Mai during the Loy Krathong or "Yi Peng" festival in 2026 surged several times above the usual average. This increase is viewed as conflicting with policies aimed at boosting domestic tourism.
A survey of popular flight booking websites found that for travel between 23–25 November, prices rose uniformly. One-way tickets averaged as high as 9,000 baht, while round-trip fares started at 18,000 baht and peaked at 28,000 baht. This has led some people to comment that such prices might make a trip abroad more affordable than domestic travel.
Mr. Paisan Sukcharoen, Chairman of the Chiang Mai Tourism Industry Council, expressed concerns that during the Yi Peng festival, more than 200,000 Thai and international tourists are expected to visit the area. Although some travelers plan ahead and have purchased tickets, foreign tourists booking last-minute flights may reconsider, causing Chiang Mai to lose immediate economic opportunities. Operators have negotiated with airline representatives to request fair pricing structures that avoid exploitation during the festival, but so far no clear measures to reduce prices have been implemented.
Meanwhile, Chiang Mai Airport is experiencing increasing activity with many tourists arriving. The airport has prepared facilitation measures for both arrivals and departures. It projects a total of 591 flights carrying over 92,000 passengers between 23–25 November 2026 GMT+7. On 25 November, passenger numbers are expected to peak at 33,560 per day, with 26 November anticipated to have the highest flight volume at around 260 flights.