(THAILAND) Thailand plans to give away 200,000 free domestic round-trip flights to visiting foreigners in late 2025, pending final Cabinet approval expected in late August. The campaign—branded “Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights”—was announced by Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong and would run from August to December 2025, with travel on the free tickets valid from September through November 2025. The government has proposed a 700 million baht budget to fund the scheme, aiming to draw 200,000 international tourists who arrive by air and encourage them to explore beyond the main gateways.
Officials say the program will cover up to 1,750 baht per one-way ticket (or 3,500 baht for a round-trip) and include a 20 kg checked baggage allowance on each free domestic segment. Six Thai carriers—Thai Airways International, Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and Thai VietJet—have agreed to take part if the Cabinet signs off. The initiative is designed to spread visitor traffic to secondary cities, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and less-traveled regions, easing pressure on Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the push comes as Thailand tries to revive tourism after a slower rebound than hoped. In 2019 the country welcomed almost 40 million foreign visitors. The 2025 target of 39 million has been trimmed to 33 million due to ongoing headwinds. Officials see free domestic flights as a simple nudge: buy your international ticket to Thailand, then claim a no-cost round-trip inside the country to spend time—and money—in another province.
Policy details and eligibility
Under the proposal, only foreign travelers who arrive by air qualify. That excludes arrivals by land or sea, and it excludes Thai nationals and residents.
Key eligibility points:
– Only new international bookings made after the official launch would be eligible.
– Travelers who booked before launch would not be able to claim the free domestic pair.
– The free domestic legs must be flown between September and November 2025.
– Free tickets include 20 kg checked baggage per leg.
How the process would work if approved:
1. Book a new international flight to Thailand via a participating airline website, a multi-city/fly-thru option, or through online travel agents.
2. After booking, you would be prompted to select your two free domestic flight tickets (one outbound and one return), subject to seat availability and program rules.
3. Fly the free domestic legs within the allowed travel window.
Officials say the destinations list will be broad, emphasizing UNESCO cities and lesser-known routes to spread spending beyond the classic beach-and-capital circuit. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will serve as the lead agency and coordinate with airlines on allocation and customer outreach.
For updates once the Cabinet decision is announced, travelers can check TAT’s official website at https://www.tourismthailand.org.
The government’s framing: Buy International, get Free Thailand Domestic Flights. The state would subsidize each free seat up to the cap, while airlines manage inventory and schedules.
Participating carriers support the idea because it can lift load factors on domestic routes and help rebuild networks ahead of the peak year-end period.
Impact on travelers and airlines
Officials project at least 8.81 billion baht in direct tourist spending tied to these extra city hops, with the wider economy gaining about 21.8 billion baht when knock-on effects are included. That would benefit small hotels, local guides, taxi drivers, and restaurants outside the big hubs.
Benefits for travelers and local economies:
– Visitors can add a second or third city to itineraries at no extra domestic flight cost.
– Small businesses in secondary destinations gain new customers.
– Families carrying beach gear or hiking kits benefit from the 20 kg baggage allowance.
– Airlines can fill seats during shoulder months and sell ancillaries (meals, seats, baggage beyond allowance).
Airline and sector strategy:
– Thai Airways International sees the program as helping network rebuilding across regional airports.
– Low-cost carriers benefit from a capped subsidy per seat while monetizing onboard sales.
– The initiative borrows from Japan’s past use of subsidized domestic legs to pull travelers into regional cities.
Thailand has tested other tourism tools—delayed entry fees, visa measures for Chinese visitors, longer-stay remote-worker options, and a domestic “Half-Price Thailand Travel” scheme that sold fast. The free flight plan sits within the “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year” push, tying travel to events and regional showcases.
Criticisms, limits and fine print
Not everyone supports the plan. Concerns include:
– Perceived unfairness to locals who also want cheaper flights.
– Travelers who booked early may feel disadvantaged by the “new bookings only” rule.
– Potential confusion at point of sale if the cutoff is not clearly implemented.
Officials’ response:
– A clean start date is needed to prevent misuse and keep the budget within the 700 million baht cap.
– Airlines favor clarity because bookings made after launch can trigger straightforward eligibility checks.
Important traveler rules and likely restrictions:
– Must be a foreign tourist arriving by air.
– Must make a new international booking after the official launch.
– Domestic flights must be used between September and November 2025.
– Free tickets cannot be transferred to a Thai resident, used for land/sea entry, or claimed on older bookings.
Common fine print to expect:
– Blackout dates may apply around key festivals or high-demand days.
– Seat availability will vary by route and time of day.
– Changes after booking may not be allowed or could carry fees outside the subsidy.
– Free tickets likely must match the name on the international booking.
Example scenarios
- A couple from Europe buys a Bangkok-bound ticket after the launch. At checkout, they choose a free round-trip to Lampang for mid-October. They tour temples and spend on local services they otherwise wouldn’t have.
- A family landing in Phuket picks a free hop to Trang, giving a quieter beach town a chance to host them for a few days.
These small choices, multiplied across 200,000 travelers, are expected to generate the projected spending uplift.
Next steps and monitoring
Procedural steps if the Cabinet approves:
1. Cabinet decision and formal approval.
2. TAT announces start dates, participating flight numbers, and booking instructions.
3. Track ticket uptake and spending patterns.
4. Review after the initial phase to decide on extension or adjustment.
Officials have floated the possibility of expanding the program if demand is strong and the budget allows.
For official updates and launch confirmation after the Cabinet decision, travelers can check the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s website or call the TAT Call Center at 1672 from within the country. VisaVerge.com reports airlines’ early signals are positive and the proposed timeline—program window August to December, travel September to November—remains feasible. Expect the free-seat pool to move quickly once live.
Bottom line
Thailand’s 2025 tourism approach is straightforward: keep prices competitive, disperse visitors, and give reasons to stay longer. With Cabinet approval, the “Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights” campaign would aim to operationalize that strategy—one free hop at a time—targeting fresh foreign spending and stronger regional tourism recovery.
This Article in a Nutshell
Pending Cabinet approval, Thailand plans 200,000 free domestic round-trip flights for foreign air arrivals in late 2025, subsidized up to 3,500 baht round-trip with 20 kg baggage, to boost regional tourism and spending.
