The Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) has announced that passenger service charge (PSC) will be increased at six airports in Thailand. For international travelers, the levy will increase from 700 baht to 730 baht per person, while for domestic flights the levy will increase from 100 baht to 130 baht per person.
These adjusted rates will apply from April 1, 2024 and will be directly included in passengers' ticket prices. The increase applies to Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae-Fah Luang Chiang Rai, Phuket and Hat Yai international airports.
This measure has been taken to cover the costs of the recently implemented Common Use Passenger Processing System (CUPPS) at these airports. CUPPS is an automated system that improves the efficiency of service at check-in counters, reduces waiting times for passengers at check-in and allows them to check-in between six and twelve hours before departure. In addition, CUPPS supports passengers in handling their luggage themselves.
Kerati Kijmanawat, the chairman of AOT, explains that the proceeds from the PSC must be used for the development of the airports in accordance with legislation and regulations. This includes investments in the improvement of facilities, the maintenance of airport security to international standards and the development of technology used at each airport. This policy underlines AOT's commitment to maintaining high quality and safety standards, while also promoting innovation in airport operations.
It is indicative of Thai economic policy that improvements in service to tourists and Thai citizens at airports must be cost-effective and therefore that customers have to pay more for their airline ticket. The public sector has difficulty receiving funding from general resources.
Apparently never heard of government investment except in ways where some of the investment flows back to Thai companies and Thai business clans as is the case with investment in the construction sector.
What is also striking is that the exchange rate was becoming a bit nicer for us € paying people, the ฿40 for €1 came very close, but the week before SongKran the value plummeted to ฿38,75 per €1, more than a baht in a few days and that with the hordes of tourists with SongKran generates quite a bit of foreign exchange for the Thai state.
Gr. Arno