Photo courtesy of The Pattaya News

 

Pattaya is poised for a tourism boom as a wave of new domestic flights connects the city more comprehensively than ever. This ambitious expansion is part of Thailand’s "New Route – New Airline" initiative, designed to transform the kingdom into a regional aviation powerhouse.

 

Leading this initiative are Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, and newcomer EZY Airlines, all of which have introduced a series of new routes between June and July 2025. Director-General of the Department of Airports, Danai Rueangsorn, praised the development as a crucial step in the Ministry of Transport’s vision to enhance regional access and reduce economic inequality.

 

“By improving connectivity, we’re creating more opportunities for business, tourism, and regional development—a crucial step towards making Thailand a true aviation hub,” Danai stated.

 

Among the most notable new routes is Thai Lion Air’s direct service from Pattaya’s U-Tapao Airport to Udon Thani, flying four times a week since June 11. This route offers seamless access to Isaan’s cultural heartland, expected to boost both trade and tourism. In addition, Thai Lion Air has launched daily flights from Don Mueang Airport to Nakhon Phanom, strengthening the domestic flight network.

 

Meanwhile, Thai AirAsia has significantly expanded its schedule from Suvarnabhumi Airport, now offering daily flights to Narathiwat and Surat Thani, three weekly flights to Buriram, and seven weekly flights to Nakhon Si Thammarat during the high season. These routes simplify travel to Pattaya from every corner of Thailand.

 

EZY Airlines has also entered the scene with a unique route between Hat Yai and Betong, operating three times a week since 27 June. This service improves accessibility to southern Thailand and encourages cross-border tourism and trade.

 

Officials anticipate that the surge of new routes will bring substantial benefits to local businesses. Hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions in Pattaya are preparing for a significant influx of visitors, thanks to more affordable and frequent flights. This influx is likely to energise the local economy significantly, increasing tourism revenues and creating jobs.

 

Danai emphasised the importance of collaboration between the government and airlines in maintaining this momentum. “Partnerships like these are key to supporting regional airports like U-Tapao and ensuring that the benefits of growth reach every part of Thailand,” he said.

 

With these developments, Pattaya is set to shine as a central hub in Thailand’s aviation landscape, promising exciting new opportunities for travel and economic growth.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-09

 

 

One day depressed by missing Chinese.

The other day skyrocketed by some domestic flights from Udon to U-Tapao and who knows from where.

Complete laughing stock.

 

There are about 10 flights daily from Udon to Bangkok. And who wants to end up at the deserted U-Tapao? The advantage in time and taxi fees is minimal to non existent.

17 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

One day depressed by missing Chinese.

The other day skyrocketed by some domestic flights from Udon to U-Tapao and who knows from where.

Complete laughing stock.

 

There are about 10 flights daily from Udon to Bangkok. And who wants to end up at the deserted U-Tapao? The advantage in time and taxi fees is minimal to non existent.

The only savings are 400 Baht on the taxi each way, an hours travelling and a fair bit of time in airport (waiting for bags etc)

Interesting to see flights between Betong and Hat Yai! Perhaps another round of flight between Betong and Bangkok or Pattaya could be given a go. My guess is that plenty of folks in Pattaya would like to see the wonders of the deep south.

I have a good friend who just spent a week and Pattaya, he's been coming there once or twice a year for 15 years, and he said he's never seen it so quiet, and in all that time nearly everyone he ran into was an expat, and they were very few tourists anywhere he went. 

1 hour ago, MarcelV said:

My guess is that plenty of folks in Pattaya would like to see the wonders of the deep south.

I kind of sniggered, but that's how my mind works...  Pattaya home of the wonders of the deep south.

 

Given the destinations on offer, it seems they will encourage more girls from Isaan to come to Pattaya.

 

 

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

EZY Airlines has also entered the scene with a unique route between Hat Yai and Betong

 

Yes, I can see how this flight will help Pattaya tourism "skyrocket", given that those two cities are a mere 1000+km from the Pearl of the Eastern Seaboard 🙄

Have a couple of tourist friends visiting Pattaya and they both commented how great it is to be in Pattaya.  Not so crowded, traffic noticeably less and plenty seating in the agogo's.  They wish it was like this all the time.

part of Thailand’s "New Route – New Airline" initiative, designed to transform the kingdom into a regional aviation powerhouse.

 

“By improving connectivity, we’re creating more opportunities for business, tourism, and regional development—a crucial step towards making Thailand a true aviation hub,” Danai stated.

 

 

whew !!!    they saved it at the last miute  huba huba !

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

poised for a tourism boom as a wave of

 

With the greatest respect to the airline, I do not think it will contribute to the tourist boom!

 

Ezy Airlines Thailand's current fleet consists of one Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX, registered as HS-EZY. This aircraft is configured to carry 12 passengers plus the two pilots.  

 

(reference Google)

 

Reminds me of KAN AIR (now defunct) that operated mainly across the north of Thailand)

16 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

 

With the greatest respect to the airline, I do not think it will contribute to the tourist boom!

 

Ezy Airlines Thailand's current fleet consists of one Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX, registered as HS-EZY. This aircraft is configured to carry 12 passengers plus the two pilots.  

 

(reference Google)

 

Reminds me of KAN AIR (now defunct) that operated mainly across the north of Thailand)

Yeah.  I also read somewhere that there'll be one of these flying Hua Hin to U-Tapao. Presumably replacing the ferry... 😆

Surge of tourism for Pattaya from domestic flights?
Hard not to laugh.
Have you been through Utapao?
Why would you bother when flights are so limited and there is good road transport from BKK.
The media should dream something realistic, please.
No chance of casinos now, and even if there could be the high speed railway, that seems to have lost its way.

16 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

One day depressed by missing Chinese.

The other day skyrocketed by some domestic flights from Udon to U-Tapao and who knows from where.

 

Ever wonder why Thai chicks are bipolar and easy to give 🐈 ?

 

 

9 hours ago, Watawattana said:

Yeah.  I also read somewhere that there'll be one of these flying Hua Hin to U-Tapao. Presumably replacing the ferry... 😆

Ferry died years ago. I'd fly to Pattaya for a day, to go shopping.

33 minutes ago, jojothai said:

Surge of tourism for Pattaya from domestic flights?
Hard not to laugh.
Have you been through Utapao?
Why would you bother when flights are so limited and there is good road transport from BKK.
The media should dream something realistic, please.
No chance of casinos now, and even if there could be the high speed railway, that seems to have lost its way.

Traffic to Bangkok is often blocked

15 hours ago, hotchilli said:

I kind of sniggered, but that's how my mind works...  Pattaya home of the wonders of the deep south.

 

Pattaya - backdoor to Isaan. 

799 baht Udon To UTpao and then a 1,000 taxi to Pattaya

16 hours ago, Espanol said:

 

Given the destinations on offer, it seems they will encourage more girls from Isaan to come to Pattaya.

 

 

They can only afford the bus in that direction, perhaps fly the other way flush with cash!

How do they come up with this stuff???

20 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I have a good friend who just spent a week and Pattaya, he's been coming there once or twice a year for 15 years, and he said he's never seen it so quiet, and in all that time nearly everyone he ran into was an expat, and they were very few tourists anywhere he went. 

 

Did your friend come during covid ?

 

That was bliss, I wish covid would return.

2 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Did your friend come during covid ?

 

That was bliss, I wish covid would return.

No he was just here last week. I was here during covid and I agree it was incredible, we traveled around Thailand a lot, wherever we went it was deserted, hotels were cheap, and it was like visiting Thailand 50 years ago. However, the inability to travel on a internationally did drive me crazy after a while. 

Reminds of Ryan Air ......Frankfurt Hahn, Dusseldorf Weezer etc.......get there and you face at least an other hours journey, no rail link and taxi drivers already to scam you alive.

8 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

No he was just here last week. I was here during covid and I agree it was incredible, we traveled around Thailand a lot, wherever we went it was deserted, hotels were cheap, and it was like visiting Thailand 50 years ago. However, the inability to travel on a internationally did drive me crazy after a while. 

Ive worked here for 20yrs.... covid time was the best ever.

Talk about clutching at straws 

On 7/10/2025 at 1:23 PM, spidermike007 said:

I have a good friend who just spent a week and Pattaya, he's been coming there once or twice a year for 15 years, and he said he's never seen it so quiet, and in all that time nearly everyone he ran into was an expat, and they were very few tourists anywhere he went. 

Hmm it’s strange he didn’t see Indian parties on the beaches 5

Udon Thani and Nakhon Phanom, aren't those flights more like bargirl shuttles instead of bringing in tourists?

17 hours ago, Karlik Pu said:

Hmm it’s strange he didn’t see Indian parties on the beaches 5

He never looked for them. No interest. I wasn't saying that there weren't tourists in Pattaya, it's just that the crowds were greatly diminished 

5 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

He never looked for them. No interest. I wasn't saying that there weren't tourists in Pattaya, it's just that the crowds were greatly diminished 

You seem to be a smart knowledgeable guy 🙂 It’s strange you missed ”5” at the end of my post- 5 = kidding + sarcasm:)

Just now, Karlik Pu said:

You seem to be a smart knowledgeable guy 🙂 It’s strange you missed ”5” at the end of my post- 5 = kidding + sarcasm:)

Indian mass tourism  (for most of them is Thailand is first foreign destination in their life!!!)  to Pattaya and their expansion here  is scary  for both  farang tourists and expats…

Tourists from all  over the world want to see Thai way of living ( chiwit thai) in Pattaya , not noisy Bollywood culture  with masala restaurants and belly dances on Thai beaches.:)