Thai Lion Air, newest low cost carrier, emerges in 2013
Thai Lion Air is another factor to heat up the low cost competition. Although Thai Lion Air emerged in December 2013, its future strategy is expected to be more aggressive and aims to compete with leaders like Thai Air Asia over the forecast period. Thai Lion Air starts with limited routes such as Bangkok - Jakarta, Bangkok - Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok - Chiang Mai as well as Chiang Mai-Jakarta, Chiang Mai - Kula Lumpur. Thai Lion Air first launched at a very cutthroat price of Bt500 per domestic route which is cheaper than an overnight bus ticket from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. The short-term forecast is expected to see no significant impact to existing players like Thai Air Asia and Nok Air, but the medium to long-term period should see the aggressive route expansions, notably Asian destinations.