Tourism Thailand's Free Flight Bonanza: Gift for 200,000 Foreign Tourist

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File photo courtesy of TTG Asia

 

Thailand is rolling out the red carpet with a generous offer of free domestic flights for 200,000 tourists, aiming to boost travel from September to November. The Tourism and Sports Ministry hopes this initiative will rake in 8.8 billion baht by luring travellers to explore lesser-known gems across the country.

 

Yet, the programme still awaits the green light from the cabinet, contingent on a 700-million-baht budget.

Inspired by Japan's recent tactics, this campaign, aptly titled “Buy International, Get Free Thai Domestic Flights”, targets international arrivals.

 

Flyers holding international tickets can snag a free round trip within Thailand, complete with a 20-kilogram baggage allowance. The freebie applies to six airlines, including Thai Airways, Thai AirAsia, and Bangkok Airways, but only if bookings are made directly with airlines or through travel agents.

 

However, certain industry insiders express reservations. Chianti Mai’s trade vice-president, Punlop Saejew, believes the scheme, though useful, would shine brighter in off-peak seasons. He raises a point on hefty domestic fares hindering seamless travel and proposes government funding to mitigate these costs.

 

The northeastern region might see meagre benefits, as per Rungroj Santadvanit of the Thai Hotels Association, as reported by the Bangkok Post.

 

Despite Buri Ram and Ubon Ratchathani connecting to Bangkok via domestic flights, they aren't on the typical tourist trail. Rungroj calls for tailored marketing efforts, suggesting Buri Ram embrace sports tourism and Ubon Ratchathani play up its Mekong River charms.

 

Rungroj also points out that there are clear safety communications in response to ongoing Thailand-Cambodia border tensions, critical for guaranteeing comfort among prospective visitors.

 

More creative hooks for the northern and southern provinces could bolster this campaign, tapping geographical preferences of potential tourists from Australia, New Zealand, and Scandinavia.

 

By mid-August, Thailand’s tourist footfall hit 20.8 million, though that's a 7% dip compared to last year’s figures. The largest slice of this pie came from China, with 2.9 million tourists gracing the Land of Smiles.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-08-20