Thailand to Offer Tourists 200,000 Free Domestic Flights

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Thailand is set to adjust its tourism strategy by redirecting visitors beyond the most overcrowded destinations. Foreign travelers will be offered free domestic flights when purchasing an international ticket — a move aimed at stimulating interest in secondary cities and boosting regional businesses, reports the Bangkok Post.

The initiative by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, titled “Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights,” will run for three months and target 200,000 foreign visitors. Travelers will qualify for a free domestic flight upon presenting their international air ticket, purchased either directly from airlines or via online agencies. The package includes 20 kg of checked baggage, making it particularly attractive for longer trips across the country.

Six airlines are taking part: Thai Airways, Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and Thai Vietjet. The scheme ensures wide coverage of destinations. To fund the program, the ministry has requested 700 million baht ($21.6 million) from the central budget. The subsidy per ticket will be 1,750 THB ($53) one-way or 3,500 THB ($108) round trip, allowing passengers to fly for free while preventing carriers from financial losses.

The key goal is to redistribute tourist flows. Overloaded destinations like Phuket and Bangkok face mounting pressure, while many other provinces remain overlooked. The campaign will run from September to November, covering the high season and serving as a pilot project. If successful, the program may become a model for future diversification strategies.

Thailand hit a historic record in 2019 with 39.92 million arrivals, before the pandemic dropped numbers to 6.7 million in 2020 and just 428,000 in 2021. Recovery has been gradual: 11.15 million in 2022, 28.15 million in 2023, and 32.40 million in 2024 — still 18.8% below pre-COVID levels. Tourism revenue in 2024 reached $42.7 billion, up 43.8% from 2023, equaling 71.4% of 2019 figures.

In the first half of 2025, Thailand welcomed 16.61 million tourists, down 4.56% year-on-year, according to Reuters. Malaysia and China led with 2.29 million and 2.25 million visitors, followed by South Korea. Revenue reached 743.6 billion baht ($23 billion), according to Agoda.

Popular destinations remain Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket, but interest is rising in Hat Yai, Ko Tao, Ko Pha Ngan, and Pathum Thani province, near Bangkok.

The Bank of Thailand recently revised its 2025 forecast from 37.5 to 35 million arrivals. Officials hope the free flights program will reduce pressure on overburdened hubs while adding an estimated 8.8 billion baht ($272 million) in tourism revenue — boosting hotels, restaurants, agencies, transport, and small businesses nationwide.