Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is set to meet with tourism operators to consider new stimulus measures, including potentially reviving free domestic flights for foreign tourists. This move follows recommendations from the Airlines Association of Thailand (AAT), which highlights the significant benefits such a scheme could bring to the tourism sector. The initiative aims to boost the industry during the low season in 2026 by encouraging travel to lesser-known destinations.

 

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports, alongside private sector representatives, will present their proposals to Mr. Anutin. The AAT previously advocated for initiatives that encourage tourist traffic to second-tier cities via discounted tickets and expressed the importance of reviving the free flight scheme. This concept, which was successful in Japan, could help distribute tourist income more evenly across different regions, reducing crowding in popular spots.

 

The AAT, after meeting with the transport minister, estimates that Thailand could attract approximately 200,000 tourists, generating over 8.5 billion baht from January to April 2026. Tourism operators express concern over the upcoming low season and seek preemptive stimulus programs to counter potential reductions in tourist arrivals. Additionally, they propose delaying any increases in airport operational fees to keep airfare and travel costs stable.

 

Last week, discussions between the AAT and the Tourism Authority of Thailand focused on bolstering domestic tourism by pivoting to appealing international destinations such as Japan for the high season. In related news, Asia Aviation Plc, major shareholder of Thai AirAsia, reported an 8% drop in passengers over the past nine months, attributed to a decline in Chinese-speaking markets. Nevertheless, European passenger flow grew by 14%, with gains in the Russian, Israeli, and UK markets.

 

In the third quarter, Thai AirAsia increased domestic seat capacity by 19%, while international capacity was reduced by 6%. The carrier faced a significant 46% cut in routes to China, Macau, and Hong Kong, with a decrease in international flight load factors from 84% to 76%. Revenue for the quarter fell by 15% year-on-year to 9.2 billion baht, affected by a reduction in passenger numbers and a 12% decrease in average airfares, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Key Takeaways

• Thailand considers reviving free domestic flights for foreign tourists.
• The AAT projects over 8.5 billion baht in revenue for early 2026.
• Thai AirAsia reports a drop in revenue and international passenger numbers.

 

Related Stories:

Free Domestic Flights Spark Travel Surge for 200,000 Tourists

Thailand starts checking foreigners' passports on domestic flights

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-11-14

 

 

Any realistic estimate what this fur ball idea would cost? And a rarely considered aspect, just who would foot the bill?

Domestic flights within Thailand are very inexpensive by almost any standard.  Half of Thailand from Bangkok is easily accessible by VP air con buses in 3 to 6 hours and I enjoy the view.  I do not think any real tourists that afford to go to thailand and have any reasonable finances would care much about free flights.  I don't think free flights would be a big impact to tourist arrivals

Screw with the visa and alcohol rules then offer free domestic flights.  Which schizophrenic is making the rules? 

8 hours ago, gk10012001 said:

Domestic flights within Thailand are very inexpensive by almost any standard.  Half of Thailand from Bangkok is easily accessible by VP air con buses in 3 to 6 hours and I enjoy the view.  I do not think any real tourists that afford to go to thailand and have any reasonable finances would care much about free flights.  I don't think free flights would be a big impact to tourist arrivals

Agreed and they  also apply the same logic to visas,    Just get ready for the outrage if they decide holders of non imm extensions are ineligible    

2 hours ago, flaming dragon said:

Screw with the visa and alcohol rules then offer free domestic flights.  Which schizophrenic is making the rules? 

Just guessing, but I think different people are involved in matters of  civil aviation policy  and  alcohol regulation

8 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

3 hours ago, flaming dragon said:

Screw with the visa and alcohol rules then offer free domestic flights.  Which schizophrenic is making the rules? 

Just guessing, but I think different people are involved in matters of  civil aviation policy  and  alcohol regulation

 

Indeed... however...

 

... on top of everything else, we keep hearing the same complaints about “tourists” getting injured and leaving hospitals unpaid – which then leads to endless flip-flopping over some kind of tourist tax.

 

Then you have the contradictory alcohol announcements: relax the rules one week, tighten them the next, and now threats of 10,000 baht fines for anyone caught drinking outside the permitted hours. Completely unclear, completely inconsistent.

 

Visa policy is no better. First they open things up – 60-day visa-exempt stays, extendable by another 30 days, and a long list of new nationalities added to the exemption. Then suddenly there’s talk of limiting people to two visa-exempt entries per year.

 

And now we get the headline-grabbing announcement of “free flights” for tourists. Except, of course, they aren’t really free.

Back in August, the Tourism Ministry proposed a 700 million baht budget for the “Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights” scheme, supposedly offering 200,000 tourists a complimentary domestic ticket if they booked their international flight “normally” – whatever that means.

 

The government would have subsidised 1,750 baht one-way or 3,500 baht return, plus 20 kg baggage, and the window was meant to be September to November 2025. Naturally, nothing happened.

 

And now, like so many announcements before it, they’ll struggle to even nail down the details.

 

There’s simply no cohesion – just mixed messages, reversals, and half-baked ideas thrown into the air. Tourists have no clue where they stand.

 

The authorities don't have to be from the same department - but the flip-flopping and contradiction is a bit ridiculous.

 

 

Sure free ticket for you Khun Tourist. But you pay 5000 THB for each suitcase that is more then 20 kg please...🙏....and as most international airlines to Thailand usually give 25 or 30 kg if not more...a point to watch out to avoid getting ripped off once again here. 

12 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

Agreed and they  also apply the same logic to visas,    Just get ready for the outrage if they decide holders of non imm extensions are ineligible    

 

I'd be delighted. I want to be of economic benefit to the people of this country. Most of us prefer to pay our own way and not be a drain on the Thai social system.

 

The dual pricing in national parks is a different matter.  In Canada we have better waterfalls coming out of drainage pipes than this country has in their most notable parks, so there's no way I'd pay 400 baht to see a waterfall. 

23 hours ago, Emdog said:

Any realistic estimate what this fur ball idea would cost? And a rarely considered aspect, just who would foot the bill?

 

Thailand has never given out any free-bees to tourists or Expats.....I can't recall a single one EVER...

 

i place odds at 99.999%  There will be NO free flights.

2 hours ago, flaming dragon said:

 

I'd be delighted. I want to be of economic benefit to the people of this country. Most of us prefer to pay our own way and not be a drain on the Thai social system.

 

The dual pricing in national parks is a different matter.  In Canada we have better waterfalls coming out of drainage pipes than this country has in their most notable parks, so there's no way I'd pay 400 baht to see a waterfall. 

              Well with the exception of beggars  and scammers  each and every one of us here pay our own way, its not optional  Its not  a case of "preferring" not to be a drain on the Thai social system, It is simply not possible to ponce off the state here , except in extreme circumstances, like receiving a custodial prison sentence for example. no one gets fed and watered for free here.   This ain't no place for benefit scroungers , especially foreign ones

                 As far as waterfalls and parks are concerned they can charge what they want as far as I am concerned, just like the abysmal and overpriced  restaurants that adorn the tourist ghettos , they are obviously not interested in repeat customers, its as if they realise that most of these places are not worth visiting twice, in many cases just  once is too often, but its too late once you've paid the fee.  With few exceptions, when you've seen one you've seen em all. I would suggest anybody considering visiting a paid for tourist attraction does a bit of their own research and reads a few reviews first. before parting with hard earned cash, personally I've seen enough