Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong will submit a proposal to the government for a THB700 million baht (USD21.4 million) programme offering free domestic flights to foreign tourists. The initiative, called "Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights," seeks to attract at least 200,000 international tourists to explore some of the country's lesser-known destinations.
Six airlines - Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai Airways International, Thai Lion Air, and Thai VietJetAir - will collaborate with the Tourism Authority Thailand to boost the country’s tourism industry as a key economic growth driver. The scheme is open to foreign tourists who have bought air tickets to Thailand through travel agents or directly with the participating carriers.
According to the proposal, the government will support fund up to THB1,750 (USD54) for a one-way trip or THB3,500 (USD107) for a return flight, Sorawong said. "[There is] a particular focus on UNESCO-designated cities, popular tourist spots, and key destinations nationwide,” he added.
If the government greenlights the initiative, it will run from September to November 2025.
Thailand welcomed 17.6 million international visitors between January 1 and July 13, 2025, 5.6% down compared to the same period in 2024, Reuters reported. In July, the Bank of Thailand revised its forecast for 2025 foreign tourist arrivals from 37.5 million to 35 million, sharply down from a peak of 40 million in 2019.
