Social media saw many comments this week from local travellers complaining about the high price of airfares to Phuket.
One netizen said that airfares offered by low-cost carriers from Bangkok to the Andaman island were around 14,000 baht per trip 2-3 days before the planned departure date, while others said they paid 5,000 baht for a one-way trip to the island despite booking weeks ahead of their date of travel.
Suksit Suvunditkul of the Thai Hotels Association said the average prices of airfares and hotels in Phuket have both been increasing since the end of the pandemic.
The price increases have aligned with demand, which surged during the current high season, mainly driven by foreign tourists.
He said the affected groups were not local tourists, but mainly local business travellers or other people who need to travel domestically.
So far this month, 90% of all travellers to Phuket have been foreign tourists with domestic travellers accounting for just 10%.
Mr Suksit said the high season in Phuket typically runs from November to March, with a peak period between December and February which would usually see a spike in airfares and room rates.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand sets upper limits for flight prices, but airlines can add fees and taxes which exceed the limit without breaking the rules.
