Thai AirAsia returns to Suvarnabhumi with daily flights to Phuket, Chiang Mai and Krabi

Thai AirAsia is flying from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport again. On 1 October 2026 the carrier restarted domestic services there after a pause that began in mid-July, according to reports in Nation Thailand and The Phuket News.

The first schedule covers three routes: Phuket with five daily flights, Chiang Mai with six and Krabi with two. The airline continues to operate from Don Mueang as well, so travellers heading south or north now have a real choice between Bangkok's two main airports.

The move comes ahead of the high season. Nation Thailand reports that Thai AirAsia is planning for up to 135 domestic flights a day in the fourth quarter, compared with an average peak of 88 daily flights in the third quarter, an increase of more than 50 percent. The same report mentions new cross-regional links from Phuket to Khon Kaen and Udon Thani from 25 October.

The Phuket News adds that the airline is also introducing services for passengers aged 60 and over, including dedicated check-in counters, and that being back at Suvarnabhumi is meant to give passengers more airport choice and better connections with international flights.

For visitors, the practical gain is simple. Many long-haul travellers land at Suvarnabhumi, and a domestic flight from the same airport can save a cross-city transfer with luggage. On arrival in Phuket, Chiang Mai or Krabi, the next question is usually how to get around: airport transfers are fine for a hotel run, but the island beaches, the old town lanes and the mountain roads around Chiang Mai are easier with your own wheels.

More seats into those three airports during the peak months also means more people looking for a scooter, a bike or a car at the same time. Popular vehicles and dates can go early, so it helps to plan the rental before the flight rather than at the arrivals hall.

This is where Balm Rentals fits in. The marketplace brings licensed, verified local rental providers into one place and shows the price, the deposit and the rental terms before payment, in the traveller's own language. It works as an addition to the local rental businesses that already serve these destinations, giving a visitor who lands in Phuket or Chiang Mai a clear picture of what they are booking, through the iOS and Android apps or the website.

Flight schedules at the start of a season can still change, so it is worth checking the airline's own channels for the final timetable. For rentals, a booking that matches your arrival time makes the first day in Thailand a lot calmer.