Baggage Allowances for Domestic Flights in Thailand

[Ironborn]

I am considering a Similan Islands liveaboard trip and was curious about the implications of the typically lesser baggage allowances of domestic Thai flights for bringing one’s own gear and an underwater camera.

I would fly into Bangkok on an international airline and stay there for a few days to adjust before taking a domestic flight to Phuket for the liveaboard. The domestic flight would probably be a separate ticket and thus not receive the same international baggage allowance. I am curious as to how I could bring my own gear - is it easy and affordable enough to just pay for excess baggage, either at booking or at the airport? I am also wondering if or how I could bring my compact camera rig as a carry-on, given the often stricter carry-on restrictions of domestic flights, especially in Asia.

Those of you that have done something similar before - how did you pull it off?

 

[divinh]

If you're flying a budget airline, they will weigh everything and charge you at check-in or at the gate. You save by paying for excess in advance.

I recently came back from Koh Tao, flying Nok Air. I paid for an extra 10 kg for about $6 USD. I joined their fan club, which stated that I get an extra 5 kg for free, which I was counting on, but for whatever reason, it didn't apply. Luckily I was only 1 kg over when I checked in for the outbound and the gate agent let it go. Inbound, however, said I needed to remove 1 kg from checked first and waited for me to do so.

I would just pay for excess in advance.

 

[Barmaglot]

On a recent Air Asia flight from Phuket to U-Tapao, my checked bag ended up significantly overweight (27kg as I recall) and they had me transfer some stuff to my carry-on backpack - which ended up about 15kg (I checked later) but they didn't weigh carry-ons. I was traveling with a full set of dive gear plus an underwater camera rig with lights.

 

[stevenl]

Easiest way to find this out is by going to the website of the carrier of your choice, and making a fake booking with all the different bagage options.

 

[divinh]

It's also worth paying attention to the type of plane you'll be flying. If it's a puddle jumper, propeller plane, overhead bins are much smaller. If the wings are above and your seat is under the wing, the bins are only half height.

 

[Barmaglot]

Good point - while Air Asia's fleet is composed exclusively of Airbus A320 variants, Nok Air has two ATR-72s and eight Bombardier Dash 8s in service - those are high-wing turboprops.

 

[stevenl]

Good point - while Air Asia's fleet is composed exclusively of Airbus A320 variants, Nok Air has two ATR-72s and eight Bombardier Dash 8s in service - those are high-wing turboprops.

AFAIK know those smaller planes do not fly to Phuket.

 

[MikkelBC]

In my experience, the rate for booking extra checked baggage on e.g. Air Asia is quite reasonable. I usually just book a 30 kg checked bag so that I know that my big bag of diving equipment will be accepted without issues.

 

[kumimonster]

I just got back from Koh Samui and flew on Bangkok Air. Wow, what a cute little plane! (atr 72).
I can see why they may want to limit baggage. It's not a large carrier.
However if you do get on BA, there's a mileage program you can also join that adds 5 kg to your already small limit.
Definitely pay for additional baggage in advance!

I knew I wasn't diving too much so I ended up renting gear and leaving mine at home. So luckily no additional charges for me!