Nok Air To Fly To Narathiwat

Nok Air will start a daily service, 3 June, from Bangkok to Narathiwat in Thailand’s deep south. The new service will compete head-on with Thai AirAsia, which has enjoyed a monopoly on the route with the exception of a six month period last year (22 January to 15 July 2010) when Orient Thai Airlines attempted to establish a competitive daily service.

Nok Air’s daily Narathiwat flight will depart Don Mueang Airport at 1010 and arrive in the southern town at 1140. The flight will return at 1210 and arrive in Bangkok at 1340.

The schedule is very close to the service of Thai AirAsia that departs from Suvarnabhumi Airport at 1030 returns at 1225.

Nok Air’s lowest eco-fare (free snack and a 15 kg baggage allowance) has been set at Bt3,380, including taxes and surcharge.

Nok Flexi fare (free snack and 20 kg baggage allowance) is Bt6,780 and Nok Plus fare with a 30 kg of baggage allowance plus free newspaper, snack and drink) is Bt7,580.

Thai AirAsia’s fares are more expensive than Nok’s standard eco-fares even with the current promotional fare of Bt3,526.5. The regular fare is Bt4,060.5.

Using the promotional fare, passengers are allowed just 7kg of hand luggage. The checked baggage is subject to a charge of at least Bt290 for luggage not exceeding 15 kg and pre-booked online up to 20 kg, Bt321 and up to 30 kg, Bt428.

Showing up at the airport with luggage to check-in, a passenger will have to pay Bt515 and anything exceeding 15 kg will be charged as excess baggage, Bt350 per kg.