Thailand Plans Free Flights to Boost Tourism

Thailand is considering a new $21.5 million initiative aimed at attracting more foreign visitors by offering free domestic flights. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong will submit the proposal to the government under the campaign titled “Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights.”

The program seeks to encourage at least 200,000 international tourists to extend their trips beyond Bangkok and explore secondary destinations. Six airlines—Thai Airways International, Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and Thai VietJetAir—will partner with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to implement the scheme.

Under the proposal, tourists who purchase international tickets to Thailand through participating carriers or travel agents would qualify for free domestic flights. Government support would cover up to THB1,750 ($54) for a one-way ticket or THB3,500 ($107) for a round-trip. Sorawong noted that the campaign will place particular emphasis on UNESCO-designated cities, popular cultural attractions, and other key tourism hubs nationwide.

If approved, the program would run from September to November 2025, coinciding with the country’s push to stimulate tourism during the off-peak season. Officials hope the added incentive will spread economic benefits more evenly across Thailand’s regions.

The initiative comes as the country faces a slowdown in international arrivals. Between January and mid-July 2025, Thailand welcomed 17.6 million visitors, a 5.6% decline from the same period in 2024. The Bank of Thailand recently revised its 2025 forecast to 35 million visitors, well below the pre-pandemic peak of 40 million in 2019.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com