File photo for reference only

 

Tourism operators in Thailand are urging the new tourism minister to entice foreign visitors with cash coupons to spend throughout the country, mirroring successful strategies used in other nations.

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) plans to propose extending the domestic tourism co-payment scheme with remaining funds from the first phase, ending on 31st October. Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, vice-president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, points out that Thailand requires quick-win incentives to compete with other Asian destinations, such as travel cash coupons for foreign tourists.

 

These coupons could be used at any store, distributing income to local communities, akin to Taiwan’s successful programme. Despite a robust high-season forecast, concerns loom about next year’s challenges, as global economic woes and US tariffs may affect tourism.

 

Government & Industry Response

 

The newly formed coalition, led by the Bhumjaithai party, is slated to oversee the tourism and sports ministry. With only four months before a scheduled parliament dissolution and general election, the administration is urged to implement rapid measures to attract leisure markets and business groups while boosting safety confidence.

 

Revitalising the Khon La Khrueng program should foster domestic spending amid ongoing economic soft spots. Regarding the medical cannabis policy, strict regulation and designated shop zones are advised to mitigate risks among children and vulnerable groups.

 

Industry Insights

 

Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the Thai Hotels Association, supports extending the co-payment scheme for domestic travel. He points out that over 15,000 privileges have remained unused within second-tier cities since the scheme's July launch and calls for proactive measures to stimulate next year's low-season market, as reported by the Bangkok Post.

 

Utilising the 2026 budget wisely is seen as essential—focusing on combating call centre scams, tourist fraud, and ensuring peace along the Thailand–Cambodia border. Regular monthly progress reports are recommended for transparency and accountability.

 

Strategic Collaboration

 

Thanapol Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, stresses the necessity for the new minister to quickly acclimate to the tourism sector by collaborating with TAT and private businesses. Decisive actions on stimulus initiatives, marketing plans, and fraud prevention are vital to energising the industry.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-09-09

 

 

10 minutes ago, webfact said:

File photo for reference only

 

Tourism operators in Thailand are urging the new tourism minister to entice foreign visitors with cash coupons to spend throughout the country, mirroring successful strategies used in other nations.

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) plans to propose extending the domestic tourism co-payment scheme with remaining funds from the first phase, ending on 31st October. Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, vice-president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, points out that Thailand requires quick-win incentives to compete with other Asian destinations, such as travel cash coupons for foreign tourists.

 

These coupons could be used at any store, distributing income to local communities, akin to Taiwan’s successful programme. Despite a robust high-season forecast, concerns loom about next year’s challenges, as global economic woes and US tariffs may affect tourism.

 

Government & Industry Response

 

The newly formed coalition, led by the Bhumjaithai party, is slated to oversee the tourism and sports ministry. With only four months before a scheduled parliament dissolution and general election, the administration is urged to implement rapid measures to attract leisure markets and business groups while boosting safety confidence.

 

Revitalising the Khon La Khrueng program should foster domestic spending amid ongoing economic soft spots. Regarding the medical cannabis policy, strict regulation and designated shop zones are advised to mitigate risks among children and vulnerable groups.

 

Industry Insights

 

Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the Thai Hotels Association, supports extending the co-payment scheme for domestic travel. He points out that over 15,000 privileges have remained unused within second-tier cities since the scheme's July launch and calls for proactive measures to stimulate next year's low-season market, as reported by the Bangkok Post.

 

Utilising the 2026 budget wisely is seen as essential—focusing on combating call centre scams, tourist fraud, and ensuring peace along the Thailand–Cambodia border. Regular monthly progress reports are recommended for transparency and accountability.

 

Strategic Collaboration

 

Thanapol Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, stresses the necessity for the new minister to quickly acclimate to the tourism sector by collaborating with TAT and private businesses. Decisive actions on stimulus initiatives, marketing plans, and fraud prevention are vital to energising the industry.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-09-09

 

 

What is the domestic tourism co-payment scheme ?

Just lower the baht problem solved

Tourists are supposed to bring income, not expenses. 

No one goes here any more. Always too crowded. 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

File photo for reference only

 

Tourism operators in Thailand are urging the new tourism minister to entice foreign visitors with cash coupons to spend throughout the country, mirroring successful strategies used in other nations.

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) plans to propose extending the domestic tourism co-payment scheme with remaining funds from the first phase, ending on 31st October. Ratchaporn Poolsawadee, vice-president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, points out that Thailand requires quick-win incentives to compete with other Asian destinations, such as travel cash coupons for foreign tourists.

 

These coupons could be used at any store, distributing income to local communities, akin to Taiwan’s successful programme. Despite a robust high-season forecast, concerns loom about next year’s challenges, as global economic woes and US tariffs may affect tourism.

 

Government & Industry Response

 

The newly formed coalition, led by the Bhumjaithai party, is slated to oversee the tourism and sports ministry. With only four months before a scheduled parliament dissolution and general election, the administration is urged to implement rapid measures to attract leisure markets and business groups while boosting safety confidence.

 

Revitalising the Khon La Khrueng program should foster domestic spending amid ongoing economic soft spots. Regarding the medical cannabis policy, strict regulation and designated shop zones are advised to mitigate risks among children and vulnerable groups.

 

Industry Insights

 

Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the Thai Hotels Association, supports extending the co-payment scheme for domestic travel. He points out that over 15,000 privileges have remained unused within second-tier cities since the scheme's July launch and calls for proactive measures to stimulate next year's low-season market, as reported by the Bangkok Post.

 

Utilising the 2026 budget wisely is seen as essential—focusing on combating call centre scams, tourist fraud, and ensuring peace along the Thailand–Cambodia border. Regular monthly progress reports are recommended for transparency and accountability.

 

Strategic Collaboration

 

Thanapol Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, stresses the necessity for the new minister to quickly acclimate to the tourism sector by collaborating with TAT and private businesses. Decisive actions on stimulus initiatives, marketing plans, and fraud prevention are vital to energising the industry.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-09-09

 

 

Another Stupid idea by Thailand   so you buy coupons for cash and can use the coupons any where  thought you could use the baht for that  what happens if you still have coupons left are they refundable bet they are not  

22 hours ago, webfact said:

These coupons could be used at any store, distributing income to local communities

and what is wrong with cash ?

 

stupid nonsense 

Once more showing that, despite being a destination of mass tourism for decades, they don't really know what their international tourists want...

1 minute ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Once more showing that, despite being a destination of mass tourism for decades, they don't really know what their international tourists want...

It's not what tourists wants but what Thailand decides they need...Thais know what's best 😂

23 hours ago, webfact said:

Tourism operators in Thailand are urging the new tourism minister to entice foreign visitors with cash coupons to spend throughout the country, mirroring successful strategies used in other nations.

And who's going to pay for that??

10 minutes ago, petermik said:

It's not what tourists wants but what Thailand decides they need...Thais know what's best 😂

 

Yes, and that's why tourists spend, on average, less money than at other destinations. In Thailand I spend most money on food, but other places mostly on tours or sightseeing.

So they want to attract tourists by giving them coupons to spend , yet can't give their own people money that they promised. 🙄

Maybe just drop the 2 tier pricing for parks and attractions. That would definitely make them more appealing. 

22 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

Another Stupid idea by Thailand   so you buy coupons for cash and can use the coupons any where  thought you could use the baht for that  what happens if you still have coupons left are they refundable bet they are not  

 

As it's practiced in other places, the concept is that you get (for example) $200 worth of coupons for $100. 

 

Then you have to redeem over $100 locally to break even and it's a good deal if you spend $200. 

 

Some coupon programs are just discount schemes where you may get a free dinner if you buy one.  There's 100 ways it could be structured, and some make more sense than others.

 

It may ease the sting of the oft proposed 300 baht tourism fee if you got a 300 baht coupon book when you landed.

 

How stupid can stupid get... 🤣

Just lower the prices based on market rates and not some make believe fairyland price (like the Bkk condo prices) + lower the Baht which has gone crazy and is now at one if its highest point. 

Will the bar girls, massage shops and free lancers accept these coupons. A high percentage of tourists that come to Thailand use their services. 

23 hours ago, Emdog said:

Tourists are supposed to bring income, not expenses. 

No one goes here any more. Always too crowded. 

No one goes there anymore,always too crowed???????😆

23 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

Another Stupid idea by Thailand   so you buy coupons for cash and can use the coupons any where  thought you could use the baht for that  what happens if you still have coupons left are they refundable bet they are not  

 

Dam you have sussed the plot.

What a concept?

2 hours ago, jcmj said:

Maybe just drop the 2 tier pricing for parks and attractions. That would definitely make them more appealing. 

LOL! YES! That would be a better choice! So much nonsense lately.....😪

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

And who's going to pay for that??

They could take it out of the huge TAT budget.

"Ahh, you have the Bar Fine" Coupon, that gives you a 50% discount, and w2ould sir prefer front or rear entry? That coupon will do very nicely sir, could I interest you in this 75% Oral discount special one time offer?"

On 9/9/2025 at 10:15 AM, Emdog said:

Tourists are supposed to bring income, not expenses. 

No one goes here any more. Always too crowded. 

But if no one goes there, how is it crowded????

13 minutes ago, Jiggo said:

But if no one goes there, how is it crowded????

 

Good call.....tricky one.....no goes there as it gets too busy.....555

Every week more desperate ideas for attracting tourists. This is scraping the barrel.

2 hours ago, newnative said:

They could take it out of the huge TAT budget.

That's earmarked for expenses, no can do

I’m just plain confused. Unless I’ve missed something this article gives no insight into how a coupon system works or the advantages of handing over good cash for a piece of paper that may or may not be redeemable. Sounds very cumbersome and onerous upon anyone involved in such a transaction. Surely a bit more information would be in order to make such a scheme a bit more palatable or is it simply a case of lazy reporting?

3 minutes ago, Zack61 said:

I’m just plain confused. Unless I’ve missed something this article gives no insight into how a coupon system works or the advantages of handing over good cash for a piece of paper that may or may not be redeemable. Sounds very cumbersome and onerous upon anyone involved in such a transaction. Surely a bit more information would be in order to make such a scheme a bit more palatable or is it simply a case of lazy reporting?

 

One, it will give rise to opportunities for corruption....very important.....two, it will generate untold amounts of bureaucracy....essential in Thailand.....three, it looks better than just giving the money straight to the traders begging for it......four, it will almost certainly fail doing it this way.

4 hours ago, Jack Hammer said:

Will the bar girls, massage shops and free lancers accept these coupons. A high percentage of tourists that come to Thailand use their services. 

Free lancers are sol but bars and massage can definitely accept them as payment for food or for a massage

 

Bar simply charges for a special meal.  Massage charges for  exotic massage

To get the tourists you need to provide things that tourists appreciate. Coupons will not do it.

 

1. Let the Baht float instead of keeping it artificially strong

2. Dual charging: scrap it. It is they because Thais don't have much money. That could well be true but it is mostly the locals driving the expensive cars they are expensive,

3. Scrap this tax on bringing money into the country. Thailand needs hard currency and taxing it will not help Thailand in any way.