Top News

Thailand is planning a new travel campaign aimed at drawing more foreign visitors and spreading tourism benefits beyond big cities like Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. So, the Tourism and Sports Ministry is rolling out a new plan: free domestic flight tickets for international visitors.

Let’s break down what’s happening, who can get these tickets, and what you need to know if you’re planning a trip.

What’s the New Free Tickets Plan?

If approved, the government is planning to give away 200,000 free domestic flight tickets to international tourists between September and November 2025.

The campaign is called “Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights.” The idea is simple: if you book an international flight into Thailand, you’ll get a domestic flight ticket for free.

The goal is to encourage travellers to explore smaller cities and lesser-known destinations, not just the usual spots.

The program still needs final approval from the Thai Cabinet, but the Tourism Ministry expects it to be cleared soon.

Who Can Get a Free Domestic Ticket?

This campaign is only for foreign tourists who haven’t booked their tickets yet.

To qualify:

• You must be a non-Thai citizen.
• You need to book an international flight to Thailand directly with an airline or through an online travel agency.
• You must book your flight during the promotion period (exact dates pending final announcement).

In return, you get:

• One free round-trip domestic flight within Thailand.
• 20kg of baggage allowance included.

Which Airlines Are Involved?

The free flights will be available on these six Thai airlines:

• Thai Airways
• Thai AirAsia
• Bangkok Airways
• Nok Air
• Thai Lion Air
• Thai Vietjet

The Thai government will cover the cost of 3,500 baht per round-trip ticket (or 1,750 baht for one-way).

Why Is Thailand Offering Free Tickets?

The government hopes this offer will bring in more tourism revenue and spread the economic benefits beyond the big cities.

• The budget for the campaign is 700 million baht.
• They expect it to generate 8.8 billion baht in tourism revenue.

Officials say this strategy was inspired by Japan, which successfully ran a similar campaign earlier this year.

Will It Help?

Opinions are mixed.

Some local tourism leaders say it’s a good idea, but they feel the timing could be better. Launching this in the low season (when tourism is slow) might have had more impact.

Others pointed out that high domestic airfare prices still discourage many travellers from flying within Thailand. A broader subsidy might help more.

And while this deal sounds great, not all regions may benefit equally. Northeastern cities like Buri Ram or Ubon Ratchathani, which have domestic flights, may still get overlooked by tourists.

Experts suggest pairing free flights with smart marketing. For example:

• Promote sports tourism in Buri Ram.
• Highlight Mekong River attractions in Ubon Ratchathani.
• Target nature lovers for northern Thailand.
• Attract Scandinavian beachgoers to the south.

Travel Safety Still Matters

One big concern raised: clear communication about safe travel zones. With some tensions near the Thailand-Cambodia border, travellers need up-to-date info on where it’s safe to go.

Quick Stats

• So far in 2025, 20.8 million tourists have visited Thailand.
• That’s down 7% from last year.
• The biggest source of tourists? China, with 2.9 million visitors.

Final Thoughts

This campaign could be a smart way to nudge tourists off the beaten path, if it’s rolled out smoothly and marketed well. If you’re planning to visit Thailand between September and November and haven’t booked your flight yet, keep an eye out. A free domestic flight might be waiting for you.