Thailand free domestic flights target 200,000 visitors

Published on Aug 22, 2025, 11:27 am CDT

6 min read

Thailand plans to give away free domestic round-trip flights to 200,000 international visitors from September to November 2025, if a new campaign wins cabinet approval. Subsidies would cover up to THB 1,750 per one-way and THB 3,500 per round-trip, about $54.00 and about $108.00, respectively, based on recent exchange rates. Tickets would include 44 pounds of checked baggage. Six carriers are expected to participate, Thai Airways, Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and Thai Vietjet. Officials hope the promotion lifts travel to lesser-visited provinces during the low season.

Key Points

Why it matters: Thailand cut its 2025 forecast to 33 million visitors after a year-to-date decline in arrivals.
Travel impact: Qualifying travelers could add a free domestic round-trip with 44 pounds of baggage to their itineraries.
What's next: The cabinet must sign off before sales channels can issue the free domestic segments.
Airlines involved include Thai Airways, Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and Thai Vietjet.
Government budget request is THB 700 million, about $21.6 million, to stimulate roughly THB 8.8 billion, about $271 million, in spending.

Snapshot

Dubbed "Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights," the proposal would let eligible foreign air arrivals claim a free domestic round-trip when booking international tickets through airlines or travel agencies. The stated goal is to push travelers past perennial favorites, such as Bangkok via Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), Phuket International Airport (HKT), and Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX), and into secondary provinces. The Tourism and Sports Ministry will seek cabinet approval, then route funds through the Tourism Authority of Thailand to reimburse partner airlines. Subsidies would be capped at about $54.00 for one-way and about $108.00 for round-trips, with 44 pounds of checked baggage included. Existing international bookings would not qualify, and only air arrivals, not land or sea entries, could redeem the offer.

Background

Thailand's tourism engine has yet to reclaim its 2019 high of nearly 40 million foreign visitors. As of August 17, 2025, international arrivals reached about 20.81 million, down 7.04 percent year over year. In response, the state planning agency reduced its full-year forecast to 33 million, down from 37 million earlier this year. The government has paired stimulus with structural tweaks, delaying a planned THB 300 tourist entry fee until mid-2026 and broadening visa access, including a mutual visa-free regime for Chinese passport holders and a five-year Destination Thailand Visa that enables extended remote-work stays. The free-flights push is the latest attempt to spread demand across regions during the shoulder season while protecting long-term brand value.

Latest Developments

How the Thailand free domestic flights campaign would work

The ministry proposes a THB 700 million, about $21.6 million, budget to fund the three-month campaign. If approved, travelers purchasing new international air tickets for Thailand between September and November 2025 could receive one free domestic round-trip on participating airlines, with reimbursements funneled via the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Each domestic ticket would include 44 pounds of checked baggage. Redemption would require booking through eligible airline or agency channels, and only air arrivals would qualify. The promotion's intent is to route travelers to lesser-visited provinces, UNESCO cities, and priority destinations beyond the biggest hubs. Launch timing and exact claim mechanics depend on cabinet approval and airline implementation.

Forecast cut underscores urgency

Thailand's year-to-date shortfall forced a downgrade in the 2025 visitor forecast to 33 million. The figure trails the pre-pandemic peak near 40 million, underscoring why officials are leaning on targeted incentives like free domestic flights to spur dispersal and length of stay. China remains the top source market, but flows have been uneven, amplifying the need to stimulate demand from a broader mix of regions.

Entry fees delayed while visas loosen to support recovery

To avoid dampening demand, the Tourism Ministry postponed implementation of the THB 300 entry fee to mid-2026. At the same time, Thailand expanded visa access, including a permanent visa-waiver arrangement for Chinese nationals and the Destination Thailand Visa, a five-year option that allows up to 180 days per entry for qualified remote workers and freelancers. These policies provide a supportive backdrop if the free-flights program is approved.

Analysis

This proposal is designed to fix two problems at once, softer demand and uneven dispersal. By tying the benefit to new international bookings and limiting redemption to the shoulder season, Thailand aims to create incremental trips and shift travelers to secondary provinces without overloading Bangkok, Phuket, or Chiang Mai. Including 44 pounds of baggage keeps the offer practical for multi-stop itineraries, and partnering with six domestic carriers spreads lift across networks. The budget, about $21.6 million, is modest relative to the hoped-for impact, about $271 million, implying a high multiplier if execution is smooth.

There are risks. If redemption rules are complex or capacity is tight on peak days, travelers may abandon the process. Airlines will need clear reimbursement timelines, seat-class parameters, and fraud controls. Officials should publish eligible routes, blackout dates, and booking windows before launch, plus accessibility guidance for travelers with disabilities. Coordination with provincial tourism offices will matter, since dispersal only works if on-the-ground transport, guides, and mid-scale lodging can absorb demand. Finally, the plan's effectiveness hinges on communications in core origin markets. If cabinet approval slips, the low-season window narrows. Still, combined with the delayed entry fee and friendlier visa policies, the Thailand free domestic flights campaign could be a cost-effective bridge to a broader recovery in 2025.

Final Thoughts

For travelers who value value, timing, and variety, this concept hits all three. If approved, it would let you bolt a no-cost domestic round-trip onto an international ticket, opening easier access to secondary provinces and quieter islands. Thailand's tourism strategy is shifting from counting heads to spreading spend, and this incentive aligns with that pivot. Watch for cabinet action and official redemption instructions before booking, then consider routing beyond BKK, HKT, and CNX to make the most of Thailand free domestic flights.