Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority announced new compensation laws on May 20 for flights that are delayed or cancelled without prior notice and when passengers have already arrived at the airport.
For international flight delays over two hours, airlines must provide food and beverages (or vouchers) appropriate to the waiting time and meal schedule, as well as means of communication (phone or email access).
For delays over five hours, airlines must provide the above and:
- Compensation of THB1 500 (R820) or an equivalent in credit, travel vouchers, frequent flyer miles to be issued within 14 days.
- Accommodation and transport if an overnight stay is necessary.
- Offer passengers the choice of either cancelling their trip and receiving a full refund or selecting an alternative compensation method.
For delays over 10 hours, airlines must offer the above and:
- Compensation within 14 days based on flight distance. For flights under or equal to 1 500km, passengers receive THB2 000 (R1 095) compensation; for flights between 1 500km and 3 500km, passengers receive THB3 500 (R1 910); and for flights longer than 3 500km, passengers receive THB4 500 (R2 460).
For flight cancellations or denied boarding, passengers are entitled to the same compensation as for delays over 10 hours, unless:
- The cancellation is notified at least seven days in advance, or
- The new flight departs no more than three hours before or after the original schedule, or
- The cancellation is due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline’s control.
The compensation amounts for domestic flights have been increased from THB600 (R330) to THB1 200 (R655) for delays over five hours and from THB1 200 (R655) to THB1 500 (R820) for flight cancellations. Refunds must be made in cash or the equivalent of credit, travel vouchers, or frequent flyer miles. Compensation is not required if the cancellation is due to circumstances beyond the airline’s control.
