Thailand plans free domestic flights to draw 200,000 foreign tourists by year end
24-Aug-2025.
Sorawong Thienthong, Tourism and Sports Minister, plans to request a 700 million baht (S$27.6 million) budget from the Cabinet for a domestic flight giveaway initiative aimed at attracting at least 200,000 international tourists to various destinations across Thailand.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports will submit a proposal to the Cabinet next week for the allocation of the budget to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Mr Sorawong said on August 20.
The initiative, “Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights,” aims to encourage foreign tourists to explore destinations beyond Thailand’s major tourist cities.
The TAT will collaborate with six domestic airlines—Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai Airways International (Thai), Thai Lion Air, and Thai VietJet—on joint promotional activities to boost Thailand’s tourism industry as a key driver of economic growth.
Mr Sorawong explained, “The government will support domestic flight tickets priced at 1,750 baht per one-way trip and 3,500 baht for round trips. The initiative aims to attract at least 200,000 foreign tourists, covering destinations across Thailand, with a particular focus on Unesco-designated cities, popular tourist spots, and key destinations nationwide”, the Minister said.
“The total budget for this project is 700 million baht, which will run from August to December, with travel to take place from September to November.”
International tourists purchasing standard airfare tickets into Thailand through airlines’ websites or directly with multi-city options from Thai and Bangkok Airways, or via fly-thru/check-through services from Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, and Thai, or through online travel agents (OTAs), will receive complimentary round-trip tickets for domestic flights along with a 20kg luggage allowance.
Each traveller will be entitled to two domestic flight tickets (one for departure and one for return), or can opt for a one-way ticket depending on their travel plans.
