Tourism Travel Subsidy Drama: Thais Snub Half-Price Holidays

[webfact]

Reference picture courtesy of Travel News Digest

 

Local tourism incentives are falling flat as few take advantage of the half-price vacation offer, says Minister Sorawong Thienthong. Despite 1.58 million Thais registering for the scheme, only 91,008 have actually redeemed their discounts since the 1.75 billion baht initiative began on July 1. This leaves a whopping 408,992 slots still up for grabs.

 

The ambitious plan offered up to 50% off vacations but hasn't captivated the locals as anticipated. Economic conditions, a sluggish economy, and limited accommodation options are cited as potential barriers. The list of approved hotels and other services stands at just 5,254 compared to the over 40,000 applicants, suggesting a tight squeeze on choices for travellers.

 

Sorawong notes that the scheme’s launch was overshadowed by a lengthy vetting process for service providers, which might have dampened early enthusiasm. The system glitches that emerged soon after may have further deterred potential tourists, but registration issues are now resolved. Even so, Sorawong remains firm that extending the programme beyond October isn’t on the cards, despite the slow uptake.

 

While the scheme was extended once already to coincide with the high season, take-up rates remain unimpressive. The ministry has pledged to keep an eye on booking trends throughout the month. Should funds remain unspent, there’s a chance the number of available subsidies could increase without extra government funding.

 

This comes amidst a climate where the government's focus is also on counteracting new US tariff rates. The Tourism Authority of Thailand is closely monitoring the situation, hopeful that last-minute bookings might boost the scheme’s success.

 

This initiative’s struggle highlights broader issues affecting domestic tourism, influenced by economic uncertainty and operational hiccups. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether this bold attempt can be revived or if it will remain a missed opportunity.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-07-12

 

 

[JoePai]

When are they going to understand the locals do not have money to spend on holidays

[JAS21]

Well …my wife try’s every day to register … message she got yesterday was the registration system is being updated.

 

Has anyone’s wife managed to register recently.

[ozz1]

They make it too hard for average thais to register it's all smoke and mirrors plus the people are not going away because of the economy they just haven't got the money wake up Thailand

[chuang]

It's a shame... unable to register and book hotels.... because of this so called Amazing Thailand hotel prices have gone up up even now is a low season....can you ever trust them..

[JimHuaHin]

So typical of Thai governments - make big announcements and promise to implement great plans .... but SFA happens.

[Look Chang]

The female tourist on the photo has a very nice round butt. 

[kingstonkid]

6 hours ago, JAS21 said:

Well …my wife try’s every day to register … message she got yesterday was the registration system is being updated.

 

Has anyone’s wife managed to register recently.

 

What is the website and is there a list anywhere of the hotels that are participating

 

[Burma Bill]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Local tourism incentives are falling flat as few take advantage of the half-price vacation offer,

 

If the Thai Government was to pay the windfall 10,000 baht, as promised, maybe there would be more "takers".

[khunjeff]

7 hours ago, JAS21 said:

Has anyone’s wife managed to register recently.

 

My wife managed to register before they started the upgrades, but has been underwhelmed by the selection and prices of the participating hotels - we'll probably just use Agoda for our upcoming road trip.

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, JoePai said:

When are they going to understand the locals do not have money to spend on holidays

Never.... 

[JAS21]

4 hours ago, khunjeff said:

 

My wife managed to register before they started the upgrades, but has been underwhelmed by the selection and prices of the participating hotels - we'll probably just use Agoda for our upcoming road trip.

We use booking.com if we have to ...normally book direct though. Have just booked 5 nights at Homa Sriracha ..appears cheaper than Agoda and includes breakfast.

 

And after booking and paying needed to change the dates … no problem, they were very understanding.

 

[TroubleandGrumpy]

12 hours ago, JAS21 said:

Well …my wife try’s every day to register … message she got yesterday was the registration system is being updated.

 

Has anyone’s wife managed to register recently.

Tried all week and gave up. After all the reports of ripoff pricing and complicated bookings we have decided to give it a miss.  Because it was scammed last time, TAT is trying to prevent it being abused this time around. As with all Thai 'systems' especially TAT, it is badly organised and implemented. 

[JAS21]

22 minutes ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Tried all week and gave up. After all the reports of ripoff pricing and complicated bookings we have decided to give it a miss.  Because it was scammed last time, TAT is trying to prevent it being abused this time around. As with all Thai 'systems' especially TAT, it is badly organised and implemented. 

I remember the previous scheme …could be 4-5 years ago now. Definitely worth joining as we had a good cheap holiday.

[TroubleandGrumpy]

4 minutes ago, JAS21 said:

I remember the previous scheme …could be 4-5 years ago now. Definitely worth joining as we had a good cheap holiday.

Ditto.  But unfortunately a lot of hotels and 'customers' who never actually met, got money from the scheme.  People were staying with friends and getting paid - it was a poorly organised shambles, but it worked.

[TroubleandGrumpy]

48 minutes ago, JAS21 said:

We use booking.com if we have to ...normally book direct though. Have just booked 5 nights at Homa Sriracha ..appears cheaper than Agoda and includes breakfast.

 

We use booking.com and agoda - whoever has the best deals we then go with them. Booking direct is rarely cheaper but does happen. Lately agoda has been the best deals - seems in low season they have better rates. Hotel in Bangkok we are at this week was 30% below the booking.com rate and much cheaper than direct.   

[ikke1959]

There are just too many holidays in Thailand.... How can people ever go every time somewhere?? The holidays could be halved without problems.. but as long as a holiday on a weekend day is seen as work, and therefor substitute days off need to be given, there will be no change .. This month Asaharn Buccha and Kao Pan Sa this Thursday and Friday is a 4 day holiday... The Kings Birthday is the next fo a 3 day holiday as 28 July is a substitute holiday...  And that is almost every month

[redwood1]

3 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

There are just too many holidays in Thailand.... How can people ever go every time somewhere?? The holidays could be halved without problems.. but as long as a holiday on a weekend day is seen as work, and therefor substitute days off need to be given, there will be no change .. This month Asaharn Buccha and Kao Pan Sa this Thursday and Friday is a 4 day holiday... The Kings Birthday is the next fo a 3 day holiday as 28 July is a substitute holiday...  And that is almost every month

 

The Banks and immigration are world class holiday takers...They close for every flimsy half baked holiday all year long....Seriously there must be at least 3X the holidays than in the USA.... And they keep adding more holidays ever few years...

About half the year will be holidays in the future I think...

[Packer]

18 hours ago, webfact said:

The list of approved hotels

 

The hotels that their families or maids own? 

[JAS21]

Below is the Google translation of what is up on the website this morning.

 

A receptionist at a resort we use explained to my wife what the problem was …. When you e-mailed  into the original website you had to wait for a OPT reply … which didn’t come quick so you had to wait in front of your computer … sometimes it came in a day or two and if you didn’t see it straightaway then it’s time limit ran out …

 

 

 

[stupidfarang]

wife has registered, yet not many choices for hotels, ended up booking a hotel for Krabi via Agoda.

[Peabody]

Is this like the big chains like Central that offer 50% off a price that is 60% higher than the regular price?

[Magictoad]

On 7/12/2025 at 2:27 PM, Look Chang said:

The female tourist on the photo has a very nice round butt. 

Arse

[proton]

On 7/12/2025 at 8:05 AM, JAS21 said:

Well …my wife try’s every day to register … message she got yesterday was the registration system is being updated.

 

Has anyone’s wife managed to register recently.

 

Mrs tried for three days and gave up, her opinion- bloody idiots

[Lancelot01]

On 7/12/2025 at 9:54 AM, hotchilli said:

Never.... 

Maybe they should try an ATM?