Thailand and India are considering direct air services between Chiang Mai and Indian cities, alongside closer shipping links between the two countries.
Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn raised the proposal during talks with India's ambassador to Thailand, Puneet Agrawal, at the Transport Ministry this week. The discussion covered aviation, maritime freight and the delayed India-Myanmar-Thailand Motor Vehicle Agreement.
Chiang Mai route under discussion
Phiphat said Thailand was ready to support additional flights between the two countries and that the ministry would encourage airlines to establish services linking major cities in Thailand and India.
A direct Chiang Mai route was the leading proposal. He said it would make travel easier for Indian visitors and spread tourism revenue beyond Bangkok to the north.
Chiang Mai has been seeking more international connections, while local tourism officials have promoted direct Indian flights as a way to reduce reliance on a slow recovery in the Chinese market.
Thailand received 1,056,729 Indian tourists between January and May this year, an increase of 7.98% on the same period in 2025.
Phiphat said the figures showed further potential in the market and instructed Transport Ministry agencies to give equal attention to the convenience and safety of all tourists, regardless of nationality.
"Thailand is ready to take care of every tourist, regardless of where they come from," he said. "Safety and convenient travel are our highest priorities. We want visitors to be impressed from the moment they arrive in Thailand."
Agrawal thanked the Thai government for its visa-exemption policy for Indian tourists, which he credited with supporting the steady rise in arrivals. Indian visitors had briefly faced a possible downgrade to visa on arrival this year before the government restored a 30-day visa-free stay proposal, this month.
The ambassador said discussions with Indian airlines were underway to retain flight capacity and open new Chiang Mai routes. The visa position is relevant to Indian visitors, while it does not alter visa rules for other foreign nationals living in or travelling to Thailand.
Ports and road links also on agenda
The two sides also discussed making greater use of existing agreements between Ranong Port and the Indian ports of Chennai, Visakhapatnam and Kolkata.
The aim is to increase cargo and logistics traffic, using Thailand's Andaman coast as a gateway to South Asia. Phiphat said the memoranda of understanding should result in real shipping activity rather than remain on paper.
They also reviewed the India-Myanmar-Thailand Motor Vehicle Agreement, intended to allow vehicles to cross the three countries along the trilateral highway.
Agrawal supported stronger sea and road connections, offering to help Thai companies invest in India, especially in information technology. He said India would in return encourage its investors to look at Thailand's tourism and service sectors.
Pictures courtesy of Thaiger
Join the discussion? 
26 July 2026
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment