Soaring travel costs to Phuket spark tourist backlash

[webfact]

 

The soaring cost of air travel to Phuket has sparked a backlash from local tourists, with low-cost carriers reportedly charging up to 14,000 baht (US$388) for a round trip from Bangkok. Despite making bookings weeks in advance, some travellers reported paying 5,000 baht (US$138) for a one-way ticket.

 

The president of the southern chapter of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), Suksit Suvunditkul, confirmed that both airfares and hotel prices in Phuket have been on a steady increase since the pandemic’s end.

 

According to Suksit, the rising prices can be attributed to the surge in demand during the ongoing high season, predominantly fuelled by foreign tourists. “International tourists were unfazed by high prices as their trips were planned and booked in advance. The airfares are normally combined in the form of connecting flights from Bangkok, so they wouldn’t notice how the prices had adjusted on domestic routes,” explained Suksit.

 

He further highlighted that the price hike primarily affected local business travellers and domestic tourists. Data for this month reveals that foreign tourists accounted for 90% of all travellers to Phuket, while domestic travellers made up a mere 10%.

Chinese New Year festivities gave a significant boost to the Chinese market, which overtook the Russian market for the first time this year. Between February 1-14, Phuket witnessed the arrival of 66,775 Chinese tourists, surpassing the 54,908 Russian tourists, reported Bangkok Post.

Suksit also pointed out that the high season in Phuket typically runs from November to March, with a peak period between December and February. This period generally results in a spike in airfares and room rates due to increased bookings.

 

by Alex Morgan 

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-02-16

 

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[zzzzz]

BS:     😄

Bangkok-Phuket  march 1st-return 8th  on Kayak
ais asia or thai lion

 

2,600-3,600 R/T!!!

Edited February 16 by zzzzz

[LivinginKata]

VietJet 9th March 2024 - PKT to BKK return 2 Pax -6,682 Baht

 

I booked on 20 January

 

 

Edited February 16 by LivinginKata

[Chalong circle]

At the moment BKK-HKT March 4th, HKT-BKK 12th  : 2700 bahts.

[AussieinThaiJim]

These are prices I got today!!

[cjinchiangrai]

The baggage is the big kicker. It costs more than the passenger. I would avoid Phuket this season just to avoid the taxi thieves and drunk Russians.

[Cabradelmar]

#fakenews

 

[DUNROAMIN]

Easy, don't fly there. Nothing special in Phuket that other tourist hot spots offer. Overrated.

[Aussie999]

39 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

The baggage is the big kicker. It costs more than the passenger. I would avoid Phuket this season just to avoid the taxi thieves and drunk Russians.

Use Bolt app

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The president of the southern chapter of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), Suksit Suvunditkul, confirmed that both airfares and hotel prices in Phuket have been on a steady increase since the pandemic’s end.

Gouging will bite you in the rear end.

[Chongalulu]

54 minutes ago, DUNROAMIN said:

Easy, don't fly there. Nothing special in Phuket that other tourist hot spots offer. Overrated.

The snorkeling in isaan is just as good! 

[IamNoone88]

Last Friday ... one way Bangkok (DMK) to Phuket was THB 15,000. Hence I drove from Ubon to Khon Khaen instead of flying to BKK and then flew direct from Khon Khaen to Phuket for 3,500.

[Chongalulu]

12 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Gouging will bite you in the rear end.

Not really, you price according to demand and drop the price when it tails off. Normal practice 

[Chongalulu]

Last 2 years we went to Phuket in march following reduced demand and lower prices  following the pandemic. This year we will return to Lanta driving down over 2 Days as usual. 

[uttradit]

11 minutes ago, Chongalulu said:

Last 2 years we went to Phuket in march following reduced demand and lower prices  following the pandemic. This year we will return to Lanta driving down over 2 Days as usual. 

Lanta is full of Russians too. The food is now rubbish. 

[uttradit]

1301 baht for Feb 27. Book a few weeks early you get fair prices.

[Ben Zioner]

15 years ago Phuket wasn't any cheaper then Spain, and definitely more expensive than Turkey, Tunisia or Portugal. How could it be better now? And there will be a reckoning once Bangla won't be a competitive advantage anymore.

[KhunLA]

Supply & demand on the biggest week long holiday of the year, and the expect everyday pricing or discounts 

 

Try getting a riverside hotel in BKK on NYE 

Edited February 16 by KhunLA

[uttradit]

10 minutes ago, Ben Zioner said:

15 years ago Phuket wasn't any cheaper then Spain, and definitely more expensive than Turkey, Tunisia or Portugal. How could it be better now? And there will be a reckoning once Bangla won't be a competitive advantage anymore.

Spain has 500 baht hotel rooms?

[john donson]

pirate island, did it once, never again, ripped by air flight, next is taxi maffia, everything is more expensive... even the chain restaurants...why...? because they can

[Al BB]

2 hours ago, cjinchiangrai said:

The baggage is the big kicker. It costs more than the passenger. I would avoid Phuket this season just to avoid the taxi thieves and drunk Russians.

Yes ! I checked for 25th Feb one way (Nokair 1599 Baht) and then start adding and adding and adding! ....Not been to Phuket since 2015 for the very same reasons.

[uttradit]

Phuket has 1605 hotels with rooms 990 baht or less for March 1.

 

Is Phuket expensive? No, just another myth busted.

[StayinThailand2much]

3 hours ago, zzzzz said:

BS:     😄

Bangkok-Phuket  march 1st-return 8th  on Kayak
ais asia or thai lion

 

2,600-3,600 R/T!!!

 

Don't know about Thai Lion Air, but if Air Asia advertises such prices, the final price, possibly, is much higher, flights are not possible to book, or they cancel the flight on short notice...

Edited February 16 by StayinThailand2much

[uttradit]

2 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

Don't know about Thai Lion Air, but if Air Asia advertises such prices, the final price, possibly, is much higher, flights are not possible to book, or they cancel the flight on short notice...

Air Asia allows 7kg carry on. There is a payment fee with cards or 7/11. 

[uttradit]

7 minutes ago, Al BB said:

Yes ! I checked for 25th Feb one way (Nokair 1599 Baht) and then start adding and adding and adding! ....Not been to Phuket since 2015 for the very same reasons.

Because you take large bags with you?

[terryofcrete]

I was forced to go to Phuket for first week during the pandemic ..I can't imagine wanting to willingly visit the place... felt like a Turkey ready to be plucked by everybody ... never again . 

[paul1804]

1 hour ago, IamNoone88 said:

Last Friday ... one way Bangkok (DMK) to Phuket was THB 15,000. Hence I drove from Ubon to Khon Khaen instead of flying to BKK and then flew direct from Khon Khaen to Phuket for 3,500.

Maybe other airlines are trying to compete with Bangkok Airways on their Samui - BKK legs !!!!

[uttradit]

Just now, terryofcrete said:

I was forced to go to Phuket for first week during the pandemic ..I can't imagine wanting to willingly visit the place... felt like a Turkey ready to be plucked by everybody ... never again . 

Great restaurants, cheap hotels, beaches, boat tours and massages.

 

Not bad.

[Scouse123]

Same story in Cambodia, they are asking 4,500 baht for one way from Phnom Penn to Siem Reap.

 

Their domestic low costs airlines such as Bassaka etc seem to have thrown the towel in.

[zzzzz]

22 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

Same story in Cambodia, they are asking 4,500 baht for one way from Phnom Penn to Siem Reap.

 

Their domestic low costs airlines such as Bassaka etc seem to have thrown the towel in.

than add on $25-30 for a taxi for the 52 kms drive to SR town  🙂

Edited February 16 by zzzzz