Thailand help ! holiday booked to depart from London 28 Mar return 17 Apr for family of 5

ndb1970

Hi,
I have booked flights via lastminute for myself, my wife and our 3 kids to Bangkok.  I called Lastminute 2 weeks ago to try and change the flights to December but was told the tickets are only valid only October 20 which doesn't help as my kids are at School age and having a Thailand holiday during the summer holidays doesn't make due to the rainy season in Thailand. I do have travel insurance via LLOYDS but I was reading this only kicks in if the FCO advise against travel to Thailand or unless the Thai government restrict travel from the UK which seems unlikely. I also contacted Thai Airways directly but they said I need to go via the Travel Agent (lastminute).  I have also booked hotels etc which I have been in contact and most of them I can switch to the end of the year but the tickets cost me £5k which is the biggest expense.  Has anyone got any advice on whether I can push for the ticket validity to be extended?
Thank you!

eDicky

On Saturday the UK was added to the list of 'high risk' countries, from where arriving travelers are expected to “ensure self-monitoring for no less than 14 days”.

If/when the UK is added to the list of ‘Disease Infected Zones’, a visa will be required prior to entering Thailand, and you will also need to provide a medical certificate confirming you are not infected with COVID-19.

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153479-covid-19-thailand-adds-uk-usa-and-others-to-list-of-high-risk-countries-new-“self-monitoring”-measure%C2%A0for-travellers/

In addition is a requirement to use a free SIM card and app on your phone to track your movements, but this is a typical Thai harebrained scheme that may fizzle out before your visit.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30384226

A Thai Airways ticket with limited validity, 3 or 6 months etc, cannot normally be extended. Does their website currently indicate anything otherwise?

Lastminute have notoriously dire customer service and having booked the flights through them you cannot deal directly with Thai, so I don't fancy your chances of successfully 'pushing' them, if you can still actually contact them.

As for the rainy season in Thailand, there are usually still plenty of sunny periods and I always find the respite from excessive heat welcome.

Voyager2002

I can confirm that Thailand in August is very pleasant.