Hi all

I have got my trip almost sorted.
Now trying to book my flights from BKK to Phuket ( 2nd Jan - return 15th Jan)
From reading the threads Thai Air or Nok air seems the best option for flexibility and luggage allowance.

I have been trying to about a week to book Nok Air but the site is 'down' - well insofar as the prompts don't come up to 'Book'
Any one else have this problem?

I just wanted to compare the fares before I book Thai ( 13320 TBHAT for 2 return)

Are they the best 2 options??

Another option you have is One-2-Go, not these are slightly fifferent prom the pure 'budget' carriers, i.e Nok Air and Air Asia as although the fares are lower than Thai and Bangkok Airways they don't have these ultra low 'from' prices, they have a different pricing structure which is 'low cost', but you get the normal 20 kg baggage allowance, drink and snack, this isn't so easy to explain, I guess you could call them a normal carrier that happens to have low fares.

I think your problem with Nok Air is that they only take bookings 3 months ahead so that's probably the problem you are encountering.

Anyway have a look at One-2-Go

http://www.fly12go.com

Just had a quick look for you, they have lgihts from Bangkok at 0700, 1040, 1435 and 2015, on the return flights at 0850, 1230, 1625 and 2205.

Flights down on 2nd is 2,200 each, flight back is 1,700 each, add to that 100 Baht airport tax and comes out at B 3,900 return each.

Use this link for English language:

http://www.fly12go.com/en/main.shtml

If you catch Nok Air or Air asia booking system on 2nd october you should be able to put in for a flight, note that One-2-Go has a full baggage allowance !

baggage allowances:

Thai / Bangkok Air / One-2-Go = 20 kg

Air Asia and Nok Air = 15 kg

Do note though that 'Thai' are can i say 'very flexible' on baggage, e.g have often had 25, 27, 29 kg etc and never a comment...

Thanks for all that help James ( as always!)

Are 1/2 go as flexible with changing flight times if we run late coming through from our Amsterdam flight on the 2nd do you know?

We arrive in at approx 9.10am and we are looking to scoot down to Phuket asap

We booked the Kata beach resort on your recommendation and also the banyan tree. So now its just the flights and a bangkok hotel left to organise!

Tks

Correction

We actually get into Bangkok at 7.10am
Just wondering if we are better booking the 9.10 with Thai ( is that enough time between flights)
rather than waiting until 10.40 with 12go

Althouhg I guess we can't expect to check in to our hotel anyway until noon........??

This is what I would do:-

Call Thai Airways in your home country and ask if you can check your bags all the way thru to Phuket ( I think you said you were on China Airlines ? ), if they say 'yes' that's great, you can collect baggage and clear Immigration in Phuket using that 0910 flight, in that case though do get a 'normal ticket' as opposed to an email ( e-ticket ), you should be able to buy that 'over the phone' from Thai using your credit card and they would mail to you.

If you can't check all the way through techicaly you should be ok for the 0910 but maybe wise to book the next flight after that, if you arrive on time and get to domestic check in by say 0820 and there 'are' seats on the 0910 they would not doubt accept you on that flight.

If you are not 'connecting' in Bangkok when returning from Phuket hence no panic if a delay, book a budget flight or One-2-Go for that sector, so it might costs you more to get down to phuket quick and easy but then you can save on the Phuket-BKK sector.

I being cost consensus would opt for the One-2-Go flight at 10.40. This would be a saving of around $150. Or if you have a lot of baggage you could take the Nok plus flight at 10. This cost more but allows you 30kgs of baggage. Savings still would be about $110.