The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has allowed Thai airlines to suspend domestic and international services.
- Thai Airways has cancelled all international flights and transferred flights from Bangkok to Phuket, Krabi and Chiang Mai to its sister company Thai Smile Airways.
Passengers who have THAI and Thai Smile code-share tickets issued before March 25 with the date of travel between March 25-May 31 for Asian routes and during April 1-May 31 for European, Australian and New Zealand routes can convert the tickets to one-year-valid travel vouchers without a fee and surcharges. Visit thaiairways.com.
- Thai Smile has suspended all international flights beginning on March 23 but is still operating domestic flights. Passengers can ask for a full refund without any charge via member.thaismileair.com/customerservice/refund.
- Thai AirAsia temporarily suspended all international flight services from now until April 25 and until April 30 for domestic flights.
Passengers who booked tickets before March 20 can rebook the flights on the same routes within 180 calendar days from the original date without additional cost. They can change the tickets to credit accounts, which can be redeemed for booking within 365 calendar days from the issuance date.
Passengers can ask for a full refund in the amount equivalent to the original booking. Visit support.airasia.com.
- Bangkok Airways also halted international services from March 22 until further notice. It also is reducing domestic flights and temporarily closing its lounges at Suvarnabhumi and other airports, starting yesterday.
Passengers can ask for refunds without service charges by contacting its sales offices or call Bangkok Airways' call centre at 1771.
- Nok Air suspended services from Bangkok to Nanning, Chengdu, Hiroshima and Yangon until April 30. The direct flights from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City will be halted until May 31.
Passengers can rebook or reroute for a new flight by Nov 30 without a fee. The change must be done before the date of departure. Passengers can also ask for a ticket refund via its contact centre at 1318.
- Thai Lion Air has suspended all domestic and international flights until April 30. Passengers can rebook tickets without paying for change fee and fare difference. The new travel date is within Sept 30. Passengers can ask for a full refund at lionairthai.com.
To check what airlines still offer international flights, visit the website of Airports of Thailand at .airportthai.co.th/en/flight-schedule.
HOTEL DEALS & UPDATE
Local hotels have suspended their commercial services to open the door for doctors and nurses to stay for free. They aim to show their support to medical professionals during the Covid-19 outbreak.
- The Quarter Bangkok (thequarterbangkok.com) on Phaya Thai Road which has four rooms and 15 beds offers the facilities for free to medical professionals. They need to show national ID and work ID when checking in. Contact 092-279-9972.
- Rabbitat Hostel (rabbitathostel.com) is also located on Phaya Thai Road. It features 11 rooms with 20 beds. All rooms are available for doctors and nurses to stay. Call 099-254-4629.
- In Chiang Mai, Eastin Tan Hotel (eastinhotels residences.com/eastintanchiangmai) offers all of its 122 rooms for the medical professionals. In addition, the hotel also provides food and laundry without service charges for medical professionals. Call 052-001-999.
- In Nakhon Ratchasima, Punjadara Hotel (punjadarakorathotel.com) offers 80 rooms for the service. In addition to medical professionals, the hotel also provides rooms for those who have to be under 14-day quarantine.
For people who need to self-quarantine, the hotel offers special room rates at 900 baht a night including three meals. Guests must not leave their rooms. Call 044-257-567 or 094-464-6248.
- Luxor Hotel (luxorbangkokhotel.com) in Pak Kret, Chaengwattana, offers a promotion for those who have to self-quarantine themselves for 14 days.
The package is priced at 5,000 baht excluding meals. The hotel will provide two bottles of water and an amenity kit during the first day. Guests can order food and things they need via the Line ID of the hotel. Food will be delivered to the room door. They can also bring their own supply before checking in. Room cleaning will be provided before guests check in and after the guests check out. Call 02-192-4000.
- The Idle Residence (theidle-residence.com) launched a 14-day Stay Safe package. The promotion price is 35,000 baht including three meals a day, daily cleaning and 24-hour butler service. The property is located in Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang district, Pathum Thani. Call 094-786-9111.
For other hotels who want to offer the self-quarantine packages, the Thai Hotel Association (THA) has worked with the Public Health Ministry to issue guidelines.
The requirements include rooms that must not have a mat, must not have centralised air-conditioning systems and must have a water-treatment system. The accommodation should be close to hospitals.
THA also advises hotels to refrain from offering daily cleaning service. Food should be left for guests outside their doors. Bedsheets must be changed by guests. Daily service charges should start at 1,000 baht excluding breakfast. Guests must be able to take care of themselves and rooms must be clean and disinfected after guests check out.
Email karnjanak@bangkokpost.co.th if you have any comments to share.
