admin Thailand is preparing to launch a bold tourism campaign that will give international visitors free domestic flights. The initiative, titled “Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights,” is awaiting cabinet approval and is scheduled to begin in September 2025.
How the Program Works
The plan covers up to 200,000 domestic flight tickets for travelers flying into Thailand from abroad. Tourists will be able to book one-way flights worth up to 1,750 baht or round-trips worth up to 3,500 baht. Major carriers including Thai Airways, Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and Thai VietJet are expected to participate.
Each visitor will be entitled to as many as two free domestic tickets, typically a departure and return, along with a 20-kilogram baggage allowance. The scheme runs between September and November 2025, with preparations starting in August and final phases extending into December. To qualify, tourists must book their international flights through airline websites or online travel agencies after the program is officially launched.
Boosting Tourism and Regional Economies
The campaign is backed by a proposed budget of 700 million baht from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Authorities expect at least 200,000 foreign travelers to benefit from the offer, generating direct tourism income of roughly 8.8 billion baht and creating an overall economic impact of more than 21 billion baht.
Beyond boosting arrivals, the program is designed to encourage visitors to explore destinations beyond Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. By providing free domestic connectivity, the government hopes to spread economic benefits to secondary cities and emerging cultural and natural attractions. This diversification aligns with Thailand’s long-term strategy of balancing mass tourism with sustainable development.
If approved, the initiative could play a key role in revitalising Thailand’s tourism economy, helping the country compete more aggressively for international visitors while also sharing the rewards of travel more evenly across its regions.
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