Is it cheaper to buy one-way or round-trip tickets?

Generally, round-trip tickets booked on a single itinerary are cheaper and offer better protection if one flight is delayed or canceled.

What is the best month to book a flight?

Book 3 to 6 months in advance. Prices typically skyrocket inside the 30-day window.

Do budget airlines fly to Thailand from the US?

Not directly. You will likely fly a major carrier (like ANA, JAL, or EVA Air) to an Asian hub, then potentially a regional carrier for the final leg.

Finding cheap flights from the US to Thailand

To get the best price, set a Google Flights alert for your specific dates at least four months in advance and look for departures from major hubs like LAX, SFO, or JFK. Aim to fly mid-week, specifically on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, and be prepared to book a multi-city ticket if a direct flight is too expensive.

Start your search on Google Flights. Use the 'Explore' feature to see a calendar view of prices. Enter your departure city and 'Thailand' as the destination. Do not pick fixed dates initially so you can see which months are cheapest to fly.
Set a price alert. Once you identify a reasonable price window, toggle the 'Track prices' switch in Google Flights. You will receive an email whenever the price drops significantly for your chosen route.
Compare hub departures. Flights from major international hubs (LAX, SFO, JFK, ORD) are almost always cheaper than flying from regional airports. Calculate the cost of a domestic 'positioning flight' to a major hub to see if it saves you money overall.
Check multi-city options. Sometimes flying into Bangkok (BKK) and out of Phuket (HKT) on two separate one-way tickets—or one multi-city booking—is cheaper than a standard round trip. Check both options.

Is it cheaper to buy one-way or round-trip tickets?: Generally, round-trip tickets booked on a single itinerary are cheaper and offer better protection if one flight is delayed or canceled.
What is the best month to book a flight?: Book 3 to 6 months in advance. Prices typically skyrocket inside the 30-day window.
Do budget airlines fly to Thailand from the US?: Not directly. You will likely fly a major carrier (like ANA, JAL, or EVA Air) to an Asian hub, then potentially a regional carrier for the final leg.