Earthquake effect: Bangkok fares yet to return to earth
Times of India | 30 March 2025
12 Kolkata: As Kolkatans in Bangkok scrambled to return home from the quake-hit city, soaring flight fares proved challenging.
Many tourists, who were rattled by the high-intensity earthquake and the chaos that ensued in the Thai capital, wanted to cancel the rest of their holiday and return to Kolkata.
However, they were unable to do so as fares on Saturday and Sunday remained twice the regular amount.
On Friday evening, fares had shot up even higher to touch three-times the usual amount. The Thai AirAsia Bangkok-Kolkata-Bangkok flight was cancelled on Saturday, leaving many stranded.
"The situation in Bangkok is quickly returning to normal. But tourists have been shaken by Friday's experience and want to return. However, the high fares are a major stumbling block. Flight fares that usually range between Rs 12,000 and Rs 17,000 are hovering around Rs 22,000 to Rs 34,000. On Saturday morning, only business class seats were available on Thai Airways, and they were selling for around Rs 70,000," pointed out Travel Agents' Federation of India (TAFI) national executive committee member, Anil Punjabi. Fares from Kolkata to Bangkok remain normal.
The panic among tourists was caused not only by the earthquake and the viral video images of under-construction buildings that collapsed in Bangkok on Friday afternoon, but also by the shutdown of airports for three hours and traffic snarls in Bangkok that paralysed the city. "No one wants uncertainty on a holiday. Though the natural calamity is over and the situation is fast returning to normal, there is fear of aftershocks and people want to return home. The high fares are forcing many to stay on, but expect those in Bangkok to fly back on Monday when fares are back to normal," said Travel Agents' Association of India Chairman (East), Anjani Dhanuka.
Though both have received multiple calls from people booked to travel to Thailand during the summer vacation, few appear to back out from their travel plans in May or June. Thai Airways also recorded few cancellations. "There are multiple tourist destinations in Thailand, including Phuket and Pattaya, that are unaffected by the tremors," said Dhanuka.
Tourism Authority of Thailand tried to alley fears with an announcement on Saturday declaring that the situation had returned to normal. Businesses have resumed operations and toursit attractions are open as usual. Thailand Convention and Exhibitoin Bureau also issued a notification on Saturday, announcing that all major convention and exhibition centres were open.
Kolkata: As Kolkatans in Bangkok scrambled to return home from the quake-hit city, soaring flight fares proved challenging.
Many tourists, who were rattled by the high-intensity earthquake and the chaos that ensued in the Thai capital, wanted to cancel the rest of their holiday and return to Kolkata.
However, they were unable to do so as fares on Saturday and Sunday remained twice the regular amount.
On Friday evening, fares had shot up even higher to touch three-times the usual amount. The Thai AirAsia Bangkok-Kolkata-Bangkok flight was cancelled on Saturday, leaving many stranded.
"The situation in Bangkok is quickly returning to normal. But tourists have been shaken by Friday's experience and want to return. However, the high fares are a major stumbling block. Flight fares that usually range between Rs 12,000 and Rs 17,000 are hovering around Rs 22,000 to Rs 34,000. On Saturday morning, only business class seats were available on Thai Airways, and they were selling for around Rs 70,000," pointed out Travel Agents' Federation of India (TAFI) national executive committee member, Anil Punjabi. Fares from Kolkata to Bangkok remain normal.
The panic among tourists was caused not only by the earthquake and the viral video images of under-construction buildings that collapsed in Bangkok on Friday afternoon, but also by the shutdown of airports for three hours and traffic snarls in Bangkok that paralysed the city. "No one wants uncertainty on a holiday. Though the natural calamity is over and the situation is fast returning to normal, there is fear of aftershocks and people want to return home. The high fares are forcing many to stay on, but expect those in Bangkok to fly back on Monday when fares are back to normal," said Travel Agents' Association of India Chairman (East), Anjani Dhanuka.
Though both have received multiple calls from people booked to travel to Thailand during the summer vacation, few appear to back out from their travel plans in May or June. Thai Airways also recorded few cancellations. "There are multiple tourist destinations in Thailand, including Phuket and Pattaya, that are unaffected by the tremors," said Dhanuka.
Tourism Authority of Thailand tried to alley fears with an announcement on Saturday declaring that the situation had returned to normal. Businesses have resumed operations and toursit attractions are open as usual. Thailand Convention and Exhibitoin Bureau also issued a notification on Saturday, announcing that all major convention and exhibition centres were open.
Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Navratri Wishes, Eid Messages and quotes !