ℹ️ Status updated 2026-07-06
Thai Smile is no longer operating under this name. Thai Smile ceased all operations on 31 December 2023 and was absorbed into parent Thai Airways International, which took over its A320 fleet and routes from 1 January 2024. You can no longer book a Thai Smile ticket or bag.
What this means for baggage: the allowance below is preserved only as a historical reference (the policy in effect at the time). To fly this network today, book Thai Airways instead — its baggage rules now apply to the former Thai Smile routes.
✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
Thai Smile no longer exists. The airline (IATA code WE) flew its final service on 31 December 2023 and was fully absorbed into parent company Thai Airways International on 1 January 2024. Its 20 Airbus A320s, crews and routes all moved to Thai Airways and now operate under the TG code. If you booked a “Thai Smile” flight, or a deal site still lists one, you are in practice flying Thai Airways and Thai Airways’ baggage rules apply.
This guide records the historical Thai Smile allowance (for reference and old bookings) and then gives you the current 2026 Thai Airways policy that actually governs your bag today — including the significant piece-based change that took effect on 2 March 2026.
Quick facts
| Status | Defunct — merged into Thai Airways (TG) on 1 Jan 2024; WE code retired |
| Cabin (carry-on) | 1 piece, 7 kg, 56 × 45 × 25 cm (unchanged across the merger) |
| Old Thai Smile checked | Economy 20 kg; Smile Plus +10 kg = 30 kg |
| Current Thai Airways Economy | From 2 Mar 2026: piece concept — Saver/Standard 1 × 23 kg; Full Flex 2 × 23 kg |
| Cheapest-fare checked bag | Not included in the lowest fare — buy separately or upgrade bundle |
| Excess baggage | Charged per kg or per piece by route; far cheaper pre-paid online than at the airport |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | No separate strict size — small handbag/laptop bag permitted in addition to the 7 kg carry-on. Thai Smile/Thai Airways allow one personal item (handbag, slim laptop bag, or small camera bag) alongside the main cabin piece. It must fit under the seat in front. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 56 × 45 × 25 cm (sum of three dimensions max 115 cm) · 7 kg Included in all fares |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | Historical Thai Smile: 20 kg Economy (30 kg Smile Plus). Current Thai Airways from 2 Mar 2026: 1 × 23 kg Economy Saver/Standard, 2 × 23 kg Full Flex |
| Weight limit | 23 kg per piece (max under the 2026 piece concept; older weight-concept routes used a 20/30 kg pooled limit) |
| Typical fee | Not included in the cheapest fare — paid as an add-on or via a higher fare bundle; excess charged per kg or per extra piece by route |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smile Saver (historical Thai Smile) | 1 personal item | 7 kg | Not included |
| Smile / Smile Plus (historical Thai Smile) | 1 personal item | 7 kg | 20 kg (Smile) / 30 kg (Smile Plus) |
| Thai Airways Economy Saver/Standard (current 2026) | 1 personal item | 7 kg | 1 × 23 kg (piece concept from 2 Mar 2026) |
| Thai Airways Economy Full Flex (current 2026) | 1 personal item | 7 kg | 2 × 23 kg |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
aifly deal-hunter note: Thai Smile’s cheapest “Smile Saver” fare gave you a 7 kg cabin bag only — no checked baggage. That trap survives the merger: Thai Airways’ lowest Economy fare today is the same deal — cabin bag included, checked bag not included. When you see a headline price on a former Thai Smile route (Bangkok to Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi, or regional hops to Phnom Penh, Yangon, Vientiane), assume the fare is hand-luggage-only and add the checked-bag cost before comparing. Pre-paying a checked bag online during booking is materially cheaper than adding it at the airport counter.
Oversize, sports & special items
Oversize, sports and musical instruments: Under Thai Airways (which now handles all former Thai Smile traffic), bulky items such as golf clubs, bicycles, skis, surfboards and diving gear count toward your checked allowance if within weight, or attract excess/oversize charges if over. Large musical instruments may travel as checked baggage in a hard case, or you can buy an extra seat for a fragile instrument in the cabin. Declare these at booking — airport-counter handling for sports and oversize items is more expensive and not guaranteed at short notice.
Practical takeaway: treat any “Thai Smile” listing as a Thai Airways flight. Confirm whether your fare is the bag-free Saver tier, pre-pay any checked bag online, and budget the 23 kg-per-piece 2026 limits rather than the old 20/30 kg pooled figures.
Baggage by region & route
THAI Smile ceased operations and was fully merged into Thai Airways in 2024 — it no longer operates as a separate airline. Book Thai Airways; its baggage allowance applies.
| Region / route | Cheapest economy checked allowance | System |
|---|---|---|
| All routes | THAI Smile has merged into Thai Airways — book Thai Airways | — |
✈️ THAI Smile has merged into Thai Airways (Star Alliance) — book Thai Airways.
See the Thai Airways baggage guide for current allowances. Allowances are for the cheapest bookable economy fare, web-verified June 2026; always confirm on your e-ticket as fares and routes change.
Frequently asked questions
Does Thai Smile still exist in 2026?
No. Thai Smile flew its last flight on 31 December 2023 and was fully merged into Thai Airways on 1 January 2024. The WE airline code was retired and all former Thai Smile routes now operate under Thai Airways (TG). Any current booking labelled Thai Smile is operated by Thai Airways under its rules.
What was Thai Smile's checked baggage allowance?
Economy passengers received 20 kg of checked baggage. The upgraded Smile Plus fare added 10 kg for a 30 kg total. The cheapest Smile Saver fare included no checked bag — cabin baggage only.
What is the cabin baggage allowance?
One carry-on piece up to 7 kg, with maximum dimensions of 56 × 45 × 25 cm (the three sides totalling no more than 115 cm). This figure was the same under Thai Smile and continues under Thai Airways. One small personal item (handbag or laptop bag) is also permitted.
What checked baggage do I get now on a former Thai Smile route?
You fly under Thai Airways rules. From 2 March 2026 Thai Airways uses a piece concept: Economy Saver/Standard fares include 1 checked bag up to 23 kg, and Economy Full Flex includes 2 checked bags of 23 kg each. The very cheapest Saver fares may require you to buy the checked bag separately.
Does the cheapest fare include a checked bag?
No. As with the old Thai Smile Smile Saver, the lowest Thai Airways Economy fare is effectively hand-luggage-only — 7 kg cabin bag included, checked bag sold as an add-on. Always confirm the checked allowance shown for your specific fare before booking and add the bag cost when comparing deal prices.
How much does excess or extra baggage cost?
Excess baggage is charged either per kilogram or per extra piece, and the rate varies significantly by route and region. Pre-paying online during or after booking is consistently cheaper than buying at the airport check-in counter, where last-minute rates are highest.
How is the 2026 baggage change different from the old weight system?
Historically Thai Smile and Thai Airways used a weight concept — a single pooled weight allowance (e.g. 20 or 30 kg total). From 2 March 2026 Thai Airways moved to a piece concept on most routes, counting the number of bags (each up to 23 kg) rather than total pooled weight. Check whether your route uses piece or weight rules, as a few markets still differ.
Can I still earn the old Thai Smile allowance on a connecting Thai Airways flight?
There is no separate Thai Smile allowance anymore. Your entire itinerary is ticketed and governed by Thai Airways, so a single consistent Thai Airways fare-class allowance applies across domestic and international segments on the same ticket.
Where can I check my exact baggage allowance?
The piece-versus-weight rule and any excess fees are route-dependent.
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