Published on May 13, 2005

Low-cost airlines have grabbed all the attention at the Thailand Travel and Dive Expo this week with cheap fares attracting the majority of fair-goers.

Thai AirAsia repeated its success at last year’s fair by drawing a long line of visitors for its promotional airfare of Bt1,550 for its Bangkok-Phuket route. The price – exclusive of fuel surcharges and airport tax of Bt200 – is available until June 20.

One-To-Go has also attracted its fair share of visitors, with promotions of Bt1,850 for its Hat Yai flights until June 20. Commuters who book later flights are entitled to a Bt500 discount.

“It’s impressive. I bought a ticket despite rumours that the airline usually delays flights or cancels them altogether,” said one visitor.

The fair, held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre until this Sunday, features low rates from 500 exhibitors who want to attract clients ahead of the rainy season.

But most of the products sold at the event have a short life, applicable by November at the latest.

Aside from the low-cost airlines, Phuket FantaSea is the star of the event with the lowest prices. Tickets for its shows have been reduced from Bt1,000 to Bt750. The theme park also offers a buy-one-get-one-free promotion, which means tickets are effectively priced at Bt250 each.

“The promotion has been popular but we limited the number of tickets for sale to only 20,000,” said an officer at the booth.

Visitors looking for cheap hotel bargains at the fair have been a little disappointed. Very few hotels are offering special deals, despite a promise by the Tourism Authority of Thailand that many quality hotels would be offering low rates. They are mostly just offering tour packages.

But room rates are still cheap, with 10-50 per cent discounts from high-season levels.

Ramayana Koh Chang Resort quotes Bt3,999 per person for a three-day package that includes meals and stops at attractions on the island. Aiyapura Resort and Spa, which normally has a room rate of about Bt4,000, quotes Bt9,950 for a three-day package.

“They’re still expensive, compared to what we usually pay,” said Vathineenart Khumkhumthong, a 20-something student, who usually travels in a group with other backpackers.

“I came mainly for air tickets. They’re cheap.”

Uraiwan Tuangsawang, a university lecturer who was looking for luxury, was attracted by tour packages offered by 4- and 5-star hotels.

“Many hotels are quoting varying prices. I don’t mind hotels quoting higher because they are more reliable than tour companies,” she said.

Nongluck Ajanapanya

The Nation

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