Flight delays in Thailand to mean better compensation under new law
In good news for air travellers heading to Thailand, flight delays and cancellations will soon mean financial compensation and compulsory food and drink while passengers are forced to wait in the terminal.
The new regulations, announced by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), are set to come into effect on May 20, according to the newspaper Bangkok Post. They will apply to both domestic and international flights.
Airlines that fail to inform passengers in advance of delays exceeding two hours will be required to provide food, drinks and a free way for passengers to communicate, such as telephone access or wi-fi.
If a flight is delayed by more than 5 hours, airlines must additionally pay passengers at least 1,500 baht (around $45 or €40) in cash compensation or as a credit within 14 days. Accommodation and shuttle services are also to be provided if needed.
The rule is simple: the longer the delay, the more compensation is due. In the event of a last-minute flight cancellation, airlines must also pay affected passengers financial compensation of 2,000 to 4,500 baht ($60-$135 or €50-€120).
If a plane is stuck on the tarmac before take-off, the cabin must be well-ventilated and air-conditioned, and passengers must have access to the aircraft's toilets, according to the regulation.
If such a delay exceeds three hours, passengers should be allowed to leave the aircraft, provided this does not compromise safety.
Thailand's consumer protection laws echo some of those already in force for EU travellers, where laws on compensation in the event of delays and cancellations are already extensive.
For flights from a non-EU country like Thailand to the EU, passengers can only invoke the EU rights, which are at times more beneficial to consumers, if the airline is based in the EU.
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