Imagine landing in Thailand and exploring the country for free. That could soon be a reality for many international travelers. Here’s everything you need to know about Thailand’s upcoming tourism initiative.
What’s the Offer?
Thailand is proposing a bold campaign called “Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights”. Under this scheme, international visitors who book an international flight to Thailand may receive one free round-trip domestic flight, including 20 kg of checked baggage.
The government has earmarked a budget of 700 million baht (approximately €16–20 million) to subsidize up to 200,000 free domestic tickets—valued at around 1,750 baht one-way (≈ €40) or 3,500 baht round-trip (≈ €80).
Who’s Eligible?
- International air travelers arriving by plane into Thailand are eligible.
- The promotion applies only to new bookings—existing or pre-promotion tickets won’t qualify.
- Tourists arriving via land or sea routes (bus, ship) are excluded.
- The offer is not available to Thai citizens or residents.
How to Redeem
- Book your international flight to Thailand via participating airlines or authorized travel agents.
- After your booking, you’ll be eligible to claim a domestic round-trip ticket on one of six participating carriers:
- Thai Airways
- Bangkok Airways
- Thai AirAsia
- Nok Air
- Thai Lion Air
- Thai Vietjet
- The airline or agent will guide you in redeeming your free ticket after confirmation.
Timeline & Status
- The promotion is expected to run from September to November 2025.
- Final approval from the Thai Cabinet is still pending.
Behind the Strategy
- Thailand’s tourism growth is lagging behind pre-pandemic targets: projected arrivals for 2025 have dropped to 33 million, down from 39 million, and showing a 7% year-on-year decline so far.
- The initiative aims to spread tourist traffic beyond popular cities like Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai, encouraging visits to lesser-known but culturally rich destinations.
- If successful, the program could inject up to 8.8 billion baht (€250 million+) in tourism revenue—far exceeding its initial investment.
Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Name | Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights |
| Valid Period | September–November 2025 (pending approval) |
| Eligibility | International air travelers with new bookings |
| Airlines Participating | Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, Thai Vietjet |
| Ticket Value | 1,750 THB one-way (≈ €40) / 3,500 THB round-trip (≈ €80) |
| Baggage Allowance | 20 kg included |
| Objective | Promote secondary destinations & boost tourism spread |
| Economic Impact | Estimated 8.8 billion baht generated from 700 million baht investment |
What’s Next?
If you’re planning a trip to Thailand in the coming months, it might be worth delaying your booking until the program launches — provided the government gives the green light. Watch for updates from airlines and trusted travel agents once approvals go through.
