Starting May 20, 2025, Thailand will implement a new set of regulations aimed at enhancing the rights of air travelers, particularly those affected by flight delays and cancellations on both domestic and international routes.
The Civil Aviation Board (CAB) has introduced Regulation No. 101, a directive focused on protecting passengers who face travel disruptions without prior notice, especially when they have already arrived at the airport. The regulation was formally approved under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit and announced by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).
Under the new rules, international airlines operating scheduled flights must provide structured compensation and support when delays occur:
- For delays over two hours, carriers are required to offer meals, beverages, or equivalent vouchers and ensure passengers have access to communication tools, free of charge.
- For delays exceeding five hours, passengers must receive an additional 1,500 baht in cash or compensation of equivalent value—such as travel credits or mileage points—within 14 days. Airlines must also arrange accommodation and transport if an overnight stay is required, and provide full ticket refunds or alternatives if the passenger chooses not to continue their journey.
- For delays longer than ten hours, airlines must offer immediate compensation options, including cash ranging from 2,000 to 4,500 baht depending on flight distance, or equivalent non-cash alternatives. The carriers must also provide meals, communication tools, lodging, and transport where necessary.
The regulation also addresses cancellations and denied boarding, mandating compensation equivalent to that of long delays, unless the airline gave at least seven days’ notice, provided an alternative arrival within three hours of the original schedule, or if the disruption was due to force majeure.
Domestic flights are also covered under the regulation, with compensation increased to 1,200 baht for delays over five hours and to 1,500 baht for cancellations. Airlines may provide this compensation in the form of cash or non-cash alternatives such as vouchers or mileage points.
Additional protections have been introduced for tarmac delays. If an aircraft remains grounded with passengers onboard for more than three hours without a confirmed take-off time, airlines must allow disembarkation unless prohibited for safety or air traffic control reasons. During such delays, airlines must maintain cabin air circulation, temperature control, restroom access, and timely medical assistance where necessary.
According to CAAT, this regulatory update is seen as a significant advancement in Thailand’s civil aviation standards and aims to bring practices closer to international norms. The authority plans to conduct further outreach to inform both airlines and the public to ensure widespread understanding and compliance with the regulation.
The policy was endorsed by senior officials including those from the Civil Aviation Board and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand.
