THAILAND TRAVEL NEWS: Those who don’t mind traveling early or late can save big bucks with Bangkok Airways (BA) Bangkok to Samui Early Bird and Night Owl specials.

Originally introduced by Bangkok Airways as a special for passengers who flew between Bangkok and Koh Samui on either the first or the last flight of the day, the special has been expanded to include seven additional flights.

The Bt2,000 (about $US60) tickets, which exclude taxes and surcharges, now cover five flights departing Bangkok daily (6am, 7am, 7.30am, 4.30pm and 9pm) and five flights departing Samui, 6am, 7.45am, 8.20am 9.15am, 5.15pm, and 10pm.

Bangkok Airways says the promotional fares have been introduced to boost tourism, during what is traditionally the Thailand tourism industry high season.

Established in 1968 as Sahakol Air, operating air-taxi services, Bangkok Airways began scheduled flights in 1986, becoming Thailand’s first privately-owned domestic airline.

Bangkok Airways built its own airport on Koh Samui, along with one at Sukhothai Province and a third in Trat Province, which opened in March 2003.

Bangkok Airways operates a predominately Airbus fleet of 12 jet aircraft and eight, twin-engine turbo-prop aircraft.

By John Le Fevre

Thailand Travel News for November 18, 2009