Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport faced major disruptions on July 14, with nearly 70 flights delayed and four canceled, as a wave of aviation chaos swept across Asia. According to Travel and Tour World, the delays hit major airlines including Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Emirates, IndiGo, and Korean Air, leaving thousands of passengers stranded in crowded terminals for hours.
The problem wasn’t confined to Bangkok. Chiang Mai International Airport reported an additional ten delays, while airports across Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and China saw more than 2,000 flights disrupted in a single day. The surge was fueled by record summer travel demand, ongoing staff shortages, and air traffic congestion across the region.
The timing was especially challenging for carriers operating in Thailand. New passenger protection regulations from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), introduced in May, now require airlines to provide meals, communication, and compensation for long delays.
Dozens of flights were delayed during one of Asia’s busiest travel days Photo Courtesy ZOSMA News
“For delays over two hours, airlines must offer complimentary food and beverages and provide free communication tools, such as access to phone calls or email,” CAAT stated in its May 2025 notification.
“For delays over five hours, airlines must compensate passengers with THB 1,500 in cash or an equivalent within 14 days of the incident, and provide accommodation and transfers if an overnight stay is required,” the authority added.
For delays over ten hours, compensation increases based on flight distance: THB 2,000 for flights up to 1,500 km, THB 3,500 for 1,500–3,500 km, and THB 4,500 for flights over 3,500 km.
The July 14 disruptions mark one of the first major tests of these rules, and it remains unclear how efficiently airlines handled obligations for thousands of delayed passengers.
This large-scale delay has raised questions about Thailand’s readiness to handle peak travel season without major interruptions. While airports like Suvarnabhumi have expanded capacity, operational flexibility and staffing remain under scrutiny as Asia’s skies fill faster than expected.
Dozens of flights were delayed during one of Asia’s busiest travel days Photo Courtesy ZOSMA News
