Phuket’s Happy Air relaunches services

PHUKET: Boutique carrier Happy Air will resume services today with flights from Bangkok to Ranong, but the airline still has not set a date to resume its Phuket – Haad Yai service.

Speaking from the company’s office at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Happy Air sales and marketing representative Onkanya Chaisit said thrice-weekly (Friday, Sunday, Wednesday) flights between the capital to the southern province of Ranong would resume on December 16.

Ranong is a popular destination among Bangkok residents who like to gamble, as it is the jump off point to the Andaman Club Casino resort on the Burmese island of Thahtay Kyun Island.

The island is also a popular destination for “visa runners” from Phuket because it has its own ferry service and Immigration checkpoint.

Happy Air will also resume service from Suvarnabhumi to Mae Hong Son, Mae Sod and Nan on December 23. These services will be offered on the carrier’s small fleet of Saab turboprop aircraft, Ms Onkanya added.

To view the carriers updated flight schedule click here.

The carrier would like to resume its Phuket – Haad Yai route, but as yet has not set a specific date.

“Perhaps some time next year,” Ms Onkanya said.

There is currently no direct service linking Phuket and Haad Yai, the two largest international airports in the south of Thailand. Travelers hoping to make the flight currently have to transit through Bangkok.

— Stephen Fein