GOVERNMENT TARGETS LOW-COST CARRIERS

The Thai Government is taking a close look at the marketing and promotional campaigns of low-cost airlines, according to a report in The Bangkok Post.
Let's face it, how many times have you seen an advert offering seats for silly money yet when you actually come to book it's much, much more? The only time I really got a bargain was flying from London Stansted to Gothenburg in Sweden on Ryanair for little more than 15 quid return.
The airline only offers a limited number of seats at these low prices to entice people to visit their website and book at the higher price. That practice is not just reserved for airlines - many hotels operate similar promotions too.
Today's report says airlines will soon be required to submit proposals to the Government for approval. "If the promotions are misleading or otherwise affect passengers and competitiveness in the aviation industry, the department will not approve the plans".
So any advert promising flights to Singapore for 100 baht is unlikely to be approved, and once all the taxes and other costs are included the actual fare you can expect to pay is nowhere near as attractive.