Flights to/from Thailand status, news, and updates

[Big Boy]

Yes, of course, the thread is about to/from Thailand. I only mentioned it because the statement was coming from Air Asia.

[caller]

A quick question for you guys, I am trying to book a Thai Airways one-way flight from Vientiane to Bkk on their website. When I enter TA's site, it informs me - as if I didn't know - that my current location is Thailand. Despite this, flights are priced in US dollars. I assumed at some stage that would change to Thai Baht, but before submitting for payment, I got a 'red' warning that using a card in another denomination would result in the card supplier charging fees et all. Hmmm. So I went back to find somewhere where I could chanhge the currency, but couldn't find anywhere.

Can anyone help me with this?


Thanks.

[Big Boy]

I thought I would take a look to see if I could help - what a screwed up Thai website. First problem, it insists I'm in the US. I even set my VPN to Thailand, but it continued to tell me my location was USA. If you have the same problem, that could be why it wants payment in $s.

I tried to fill in flight details, and it would not let me complete the enquiry screen.

When I eventually coaxed it into accepting something, I too was given fares in $. However, the fare deals at the bottom of the screen were in ฿. I couldn't see anything to change it.

Have you actually enrolled/logged in? I notice with Air Asia, I receive a more comprehensive list of options once I've logged in.

[STEVE G]

Ironically, just out of curiosity I tried the Thai Airways website on my phone from Europe and it quotes me prices in Thai baht.
Right at the start when it asks for location-language I selected Global-English.

[Big Boy]

That is the part that I couldn't change from US.

[Pagey]

A quick question for you guys, I am trying to book a Thai Airways one-way flight from Vientiane to Bkk on their website. When I enter TA's site, it informs me - as if I didn't know - that my current location is Thailand. Despite this, flights are priced in US dollars. I assumed at some stage that would change to Thai Baht, but before submitting for payment, I got a 'red' warning that using a card in another denomination would result in the card supplier charging fees et all. Hmmm. So I went back to find somewhere where I could chanhge the currency, but couldn't find anywhere.

Can anyone help me with this?


Thanks.

I think it's because of the departure country. If you are flying from BKK the prices are in Thai Baht.

[caller]

Ironically, just out of curiosity I tried the Thai Airways website on my phone from Europe and it quotes me prices in Thai baht.
Right at the start when it asks for location-language I selected Global-English.

I have been using my laptop, so seeing your post, I tried my phone. Identified me as being in Thailand immediately, asked me to select language, given a choice of Thai or English, followed the process and ended up with Dollars again. I woonder if it's because I am flying one-way from Vientiane?

Anyway, I checked their FAQ's and it gives advice about what credit and debit cards can be used, including my own bank. But nothing about why the F they want me to pay in US dollars when they recognise I am in Thailand. Currently searching for an enquiry form to ask a question,

[Dannie Boy]

I think Pagey has identified the problem as it’s one way travel starting outside Thailand


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[caller]

Ah, I didn't notice Pagey's post as I have been busy trying to book a ticket and searching their website - lol! Sorry about that. I did begin to wonder if thet was the issue. Not sure why that should be?

Anyway, I was just about to post this, when I saw the message to review my message in view of a new post. So here it is:

The only contact phone number seems to relate to a Thai Airways 'international' office just south of Don Muang airport, adjacent to the tollway. I tried calling their 24 hour manned office number and couldn't get a reply, just left hanging on, so I have emailed them at the address they provide.

I await a reply, unless some kind soul works out how to change the currency. I didn't think Thai even flew to the states these day's!

Bangkok, Thailand (Town Office)
Reservation & Ticketing
Office: THAI CONTACT CENTER (RESERVATION)

OPEN: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

PHONE: (66-2) 356-1111

E-mail:contact@thaiairways.com



Office: THAI AIRWAYS INTERNATIONAL (TICKETING)

ADDRESS: VIBHAVADI RANGSIT TICKET OFFICE

89 VIBHAVADI RANGSIT ROAD, CHATUCHAK, BANGKOK 10900 THAILAND

OPEN: Monday – Friday 08.00 – 17.00 hrs

CLOSE: Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday

[buksida]

Thailand nixes on-arrival duty free shopping
Duty-free shops in arrivals areas of international airports in Thailand will be closed to encourage more spending by visitors in domestic stores, the Thai cabinet has said. The move is expected to generate up to THB3.5 billion (US$96 million) of new local retail spending a year.

Rudklao Intawong Suwankiri, a deputy spokesperson of the Thai Government, said that ministers acknowledged guidelines for promoting Thailand as a tourism and spending hub, as proposed by the Ministry of Finance, according to a report in the Bangkok Post.

She noted that all the three operators of inbound duty-free businesses have agreed to suspend the operations at eight international airports, namely Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hat Yai, U-tapao, Samui, and Krabi. This aligns with the government’s policy to promote spending in domestic stores. Information on the timing of the move has yet to be revealed.

https://asianaviation.com/thailand-nixe ... -shopping/

It looks like another stealthy way of taxing tourists by removing their ability to buy duty-free stuff.

[buksida]

Just transited through Swampy and the duty free shops on arrival are still there for now.

Emirates flight was full and the immigration queues just as bad as ever stretching down the ramp so went through the priority one using the Thai wife visa. Nobody in customs so my stash of single malts survived.

Baggage claim took about ten minutes making the entire transit from plane to bus about 40 mins so not too bad overall.

[pharvey]

Was just watching/Reading on the BBC/The Guardian that BA had stopped (until late 2025) flights to Beijing due to the effects of avoiding Russian Airspace on flights from the UK and Europe.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/ar ... to-beijing

I wonder what the effects on costs there are with flights to Bangkok from the UK/Europe due to additional flight time/fuel?

[PeteC]

Some info below.

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/ne ... 20743.html

[Nereus]

Qantas reroutes Perth-to-London flights to avoid Middle Eastern airspace as threat of Israel, Iran and Lebanon conflict intensifies

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-08/ ... /104202972

The Australian carrier's decision follows a number of other airlines suspending or altering routes as the threat of a broader conflict between Israel, Iran and Lebanon intensifies.

Air France extended its suspension of flights between Paris and Beirut until August 11, while Italy's ITA Airways further extended its pause on flights to and from Tel Aviv until August 10.

US-based United Airlines and rival Delta Air Lines have also stopped their Tel Aviv flights.

[pharvey]

This is an interesting one....

https://www.rome2rio.com/map/United-Kin ... -Hin#trips