THAILAND-based airlines are offering to rebook or refund passengers scheduled to travel during the current flood crisis.
Thai Airways International has announced that all tickets issued on or before October 28 on its website, ticketing offices and travel agents in Thailand, with the travel period from October 1 to December 15, can be changed with no additional fees. However, the national carrier said the new travel date must occur by December 31, and changes must be made by November 30.
Bangkok Airways, Nok Air and Orient Thai Airlines are also offering passengers a full refund or a rebooking at no extra charge, if they are scheduled to travel between October and November 15.
Bangkok Airways said passengers travelling within Thailand between October 14 and November 15 can rebook a new travel date before December 15. Unused and non-refundable tickets issued by the airline, booked through their website, or issued by agents can also be fully refunded.
Nok Air, now operating between Suvarnabhumi Airport and nine Thai destinations, will be adding six more destinations from tomorrow. It is also offering a full refund for unused tickets, provided travel takes place before November 15.
Orient Thai Airlines, which also relocated its operations from Don Muang Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport, said it would allow passengers scheduled to travel by November 15 to rebook up until December 15, at no extra charge.
Meanwhile, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has issued an update, clarifying that the flooding is mainly affecting central provinces along the Chao Phraya River, including Bangkok and Ayutthaya.
Other popular tourist destinations in the central region, including Pattaya, Hua Hin, Kanchanaburi and Ko Chang, have not been affected by the floods. Provinces in the south of Thailand have also been spared.
TAT reiterated that Suvarnabhumi Airport, the main gateway to Thailand, remains open and is operating normally, handling 76 flights per hour.
According to the authority, the BTS Skytrain and MRT subway services are operating normally, while taxis and tuk tuks are operating on a limited basis. On the other hand, many bus routes have been rerouted or suspended due to the flooding. Express boat services on the Chao Phraya River have also been suspended.
