With news out recently that tourism arrivals in Thailand as of August 17th of this year are down over 7 percent compared to the same period last year, it appears Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry has decided to be a little bit more drastic in their efforts to improve this.
One of those initiatives has just been announced this week and, yes, it will be costly.
That’s because Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry is offering 200,000 free domestic flights around Thailand to international tourists who have not yet booked an international flight to Thailand.
That means tourists who plan on visiting more than one Thai city could see the cost of one of their flights being reimbursed by the Thai government.
Quite a cool idea, right?
The free domestic flights will be given during a three-month period this year, with tourists from any country eligible.
What does the free domestic flights in Thailand program entail?
The program itself is to be called “Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights”.
While the proposed program has not yet been approved by the government, once it is it will mean international arrivals will be eligible for one free one-way or round-trip ticket from one destination in Thailand to another.
The total amount reimbursed will be up to 1,750 baht for a one-way ticket, and 3,500 baht for a round-trip airfare.
Tickets will be available on six airlines — Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways, Thai Lion Air, Thai Vietjet and Nok Air.
The budget for the program is said to be 700 million baht in total.
Have you already booked your flight?
Be aware, however, if you have already booked your flight to Thailand, you are not eligible for the program as only those who have yet to book a trip are being targeted.
“Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights,” is scheduled to run from the beginning of September through the end of November, 2025.
The Tourism and Sports Ministry hopes, along with visiting the usual tourist spots, the program will also persuade more international tourists to take trips to cities and towns in areas of the country that are not the typical hubs.
Especially as provinces like Ubon Ratchathani, Phrae, Mukdahan, Rayong, Sa Kaew, Lopburi and Kanchanaburi have plenty of sights worth visiting that are far more unusual than the typical tourist spots.
