CHIANG RAI – On October 26, 2026, Chiang Rai officially welcomed the return of direct flights from Phuket. Thai Vietjet has restarted this popular route to smoothly connect the northern and southern regions of the country. This exciting move makes domestic travel much easier for everyone. Travelers can now completely skip the hassle of booking connecting flights through busy Bangkok airports.
The airline will run these direct flights three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This brand-new schedule offers more flexible choices for both local residents and international tourists. It also opens up fresh opportunities to boost tourism and trade between the two distinct regions. Business owners in both provinces are eagerly looking forward to the steady economic benefits.
Key Takeaways
- Thai Vietjet now flies directly between Phuket and Chiang Rai three times a week.
- The new route allows travelers to bypass busy airport connections in Bangkok.
- Local government leaders expect a major boost in regional tourism and economic growth.
A Warm Welcome for Regional Growth
To properly mark the occasion, a special welcome ceremony took place for the very first flight from Phuket. The festive event was held at the Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport. Norasak Suksomboon, the Deputy Governor of Chiang Rai, gladly attended as the province’s main representative. Many other local leaders and airline officials also joined the morning celebration.
Other key figures included Kritsada Pugasap, the airport director, and Yureephan Saenjaiya from the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Norasak shared his sincere excitement about the airline’s long-awaited return. He clearly noted that the direct link will greatly help both residents and holidaymakers. It easily connects two provinces that are widely known for their strong tourism appeal.
Chiang Rai is famous for its beautiful nature, unique art, and rich traditional way of life. By linking directly with Phuket, a major southern tourist hotspot, the northern province hopes to draw many more visitors. Norasak believes this strategy will promote Lanna cultural tourism, peaceful eco-tourism, and relaxing wellness trips. Most importantly, it will bring more income straight into local communities.
Modern Aircraft and Convenient Flight Schedules
Pinyot Pibulsonggram, a top commercial executive at Thai Vietjet, also spoke warmly at the airport event. He stated that the airline remains fully focused on growing its domestic travel network. Their main goal is to give all passengers more travel options and better overall comfort. The Phuket to Chiang Rai route does exactly that by making cross-country travel incredibly smooth.
To make the trip even better, the airline is actively using its modern Boeing 737-8 airplanes. These new jets feature much quieter passenger cabins and wider overhead bins for your carry-on bags. They offer a highly comfortable personal space for passengers during the quick two-hour journey.
The weekly flight schedule is very easy to remember and plan around. Flight VZ400 leaves Phuket International Airport bright and early at 8:30 AM and lands safely in Chiang Rai at 10:35 AM. For the return trip down south, Flight VZ401 takes off from Chiang Rai at 11:10 AM. It arrives back in sunny Phuket just in time for an afternoon lunch at 1:25 PM.
Travelers who want to book a comfortable seat can easily check the full schedule online today. You can buy tickets right on the airline’s website or through their official LINE account by searching for @Thaivietjet. Customer service is also open every single day from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM by calling 02-089-1909.
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