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How can I help my Thai friend book a domestic flight from Chiang Rai to Bangkok?
May 10, 2023
3 years ago
John ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERI am travelling northern Thailand in July with a Thai friend who needs to get back to work by the 24th, so I was going to buy him a seat on a domestic out of Chiang Rai to Bangkok on the 23rd. As I am out of the country, I am guessing he will have to buy the ticket himself given ID, Thai name etc. I know nothing about domestic flights in Thailand - their reliability in terms of last minute cancellations or how heavily booked they will be at that time of year. Looking for some advice.
TLDR : Answer Summary
Traveling in northern Thailand with a Thai friend in July, who needs to return to work, raises questions about booking a domestic flight from Chiang Rai to Bangkok. Several expats suggest that booking domestic flights in Thailand is straightforward, with many airlines operating multiple flights daily. It's advised that the friend books the ticket himself for ease, using apps or websites like Thai Airways, AirAsia, or Traveloka. Minor cancellations are rare, and flight availability is generally high, although weekends and holidays may see fuller airlines. Providing necessary ID details and confirming the airport is crucial for smooth booking.
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John ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks so much to everyone that responded. Really helpful responses from everyone which put my mind at rest. I really appreciate the advice and information. 😀
Wayne **********
Just buy online or buy when you are back. Rarely sell out. Never had one cancelled
Victoria *******
You can book it for him, ask him to send you photo of his Id card and name will also be in English
Dave ********
There are 8 flights per day "chiang rai to BKK" on Traveloka or trip (dot) com
Dar *****
Can book online in his name and use your credit card.
Flights are generally reliable check which airport there flying into to make it easier
Flights are generally reliable check which airport there flying into to make it easier
John *************
Thai domestic flights are easy to book from anywhere, use an App by AirAsia or Nok or Smile or Bangkok Air, etc. If you put Chiang Rai to Bangkok into Google flights all the options come up. You need to ask him which airport he wants to fly into (BKK or DMK) and you need his full name and ID card number. Frankly it's easier just to have him book it and you pay him back when you see him. I don't know how you could make this a surprise if that is your intention. Flights are cheap assuming you mean May 23rd.
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John ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John ************
My current thinking is that he book it himself. My mate is a very unworldly person from a poor background. I rescued him off the streets when I lived in Thailand 30 years back and have since helped support him and his family. He is more like family than a friend. It's not a surprise - he is aware of the plans. I am just trying to make the process easy for him. He would be flying into Don Meuang as it's close to home.John *************
@John **********
As others have said, there are plenty of flights, you could just book it for him when you are traveling together. Last minute flights are easy to get and the prices won't change that much. Right now it's cheap as chips to fly. Hopefully he can have a relative pick him up at the airport in Bangkok.John *************
@John **********
I see, good for you, that's wonderful. If you're worried about him you could just fly him back to Bangkok yourself then fly back to CR. The flights are only 8XX baht pp per leg. If he doesn't have access to a smart phone, travel agents still sell domestic tickets, you could direct him to one in his area wherever he lives. "Counter Tours" are never far away in Thailand. But as I said, you only need his full name (his name will be written in English in his passport if he has one or his driver's license if he has one) and Thai ID number and you can book it for him. Just use AirAsia, their App is quite easy or you can use their website and they have plenty of flight options. If he does the booking he can pay at ****
, every Thai knows how to pay for things at "Seven" this these days. *****************************
Reply to
John *************
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Jeffrey **********
Your Thai friend should be a wealth of information, ask them.
Chiang Rai airport is about 20 minutes away from Chiang Rai. Not the busiest but maybe 6 flights a day. Domestic flights are good and relatively reliable
Chiang Rai airport is about 20 minutes away from Chiang Rai. Not the busiest but maybe 6 flights a day. Domestic flights are good and relatively reliable
Giorgio ******
-rreally reliable ,no problem .
- last minute cancellation , ??? of course you can always cancel ! - heavily booked ???? domestic flights are usually full . but there are so many flights everyday , you'll always find one . of course it's a little bit harder on week ends , or on official Thai holydays
- last minute cancellation , ??? of course you can always cancel ! - heavily booked ???? domestic flights are usually full . but there are so many flights everyday , you'll always find one . of course it's a little bit harder on week ends , or on official Thai holydays
Jyrki *********
I've Been flying CR - Bkk at least 25-30 Times. Never last minutes cancellation or Even much late. So Many daily flights so don't Have to worry about all fully booked.
John ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jyrki ********
Would I most likely be OK purchasing a ticket when I arrive as there would still be two weeks plus before it was used?Jyrki *********
@John **********
most likely yes!Brandon ************
@John **********
2 weeks is plenty of timeReply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Mike *******
You might be overthinking it a little. I’ve bought domestic tickets several times for family members and friends, which is easy and inexpensive. First, get a scanned copy of your friend’s passport (to avoid minor spelling errors). Go to the Thai Airways website and follow the bouncing ball. Ignore the “one way” warning (it’s aimed at international arrivees), fill in your friend’s details (it’s all in English), complete your details and payment credit card, and you’re on your way. BTW, he’ll probably be flying on a Thai Smile aircraft but still book using the Thai Airways website (it’s easier to navigate). Good luck.
Paul *******
@Mike ******
No, it's not a courtesy, it's a threat. No other airline does this. It's the same with Thai Airways still playing "please wear your face diaper" messages when the mandate has long been lifted. This creates confusion and an atmosphere of fear. Thai passengers interpret this as a mandate so immediately adjust their masks. On other airlines, no such announcements, because they know passengers can make up their own minds and don't need to be treated like toddlers.Mike *******
@Paul ******
As you wish.Reply to
Mike *******
Reply
Paul *******
@Mike ******
Why is THAI imposing this warning on their website post Covid? Never saw it pre-Covid and they're being presumptuous considering a lot of foreigners traveling to Thailand are residents and have an appropriate visa. They don't need outbound tickets. THAI Airways is acting racist, by assuming all foreigners are tourists.Mike *******
@Paul ******
Settle mate. All airlines are obliged to verify during check in that foreigners have an onward ticket from the arrival country and/or an appropriate visa. Every country on the planet makes the airlines do this, and the airlines use an IATA system called TIMatic. Airlines can pay huge fines for not properly checking this. It’s a courtesy to remind Pax to check, before they attempt to check in and face denied boarding.Reply to
Mike *******
Reply
John ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks everybody. Much appreciated!
John ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mike ******
He has no passport. I was assuming an ID card would be fine for domestic flights - that would all be in Thai. And being an anxious, glass half full person, I always overthink things.Mike *******
@John **********
I see. I didn’t realise some ID’s are Thai language only (my partner’s is dual language).John ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mike ******
They may well be dual language - I will ask today.Reply to
John ***********
Reply
Mike *******
Because TG sells Thai Smile codeshare tickets. I prefer TG/Smile, as I find their schedule more reliable and their website is easy to use (also it allows you to buy tickets for other people, something I have experience with and John specifically asked about).
If you have alternative advice, go ahead and enrich John with the benefit of your experience.
If you have alternative advice, go ahead and enrich John with the benefit of your experience.
Bob **********
@Mike ******
I’m still waiting for 7000 baht refund from Thai smile from *******
any airline will do and you don’t need a passport for domestic flightsReply to
Bob **********
Reply
Jyrki *********
@Mike ******
why Thai Smile? Vietjet, Air Asia, Thai Lion Air...Reply to
Jyrki *********
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