Thailand to Launch Free Domestic Flights Scheme for Tourists

Thailand is preparing to roll out a new travel scheme designed to make the country more attractive to international visitors. The initiative, titled “Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights,” will encourage travellers to move beyond popular hubs like Bangkok and Phuket and explore lesser-known destinations across the country.

Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong has confirmed that a 700 million baht budget request will be submitted to the Cabinet to fund the programme, according to The Nation Thailand.

How the Scheme Will Work

Under the plan, the Thai government will subsidize domestic air tickets priced at 1,750 baht for one-way trips and 3,500 baht for round trips. Destinations will include UNESCO World Heritage cities, popular tourist attractions, and other major regions across Thailand.

The scheme is expected to run from August to December 2025, with travel available between September and November.

Foreign travellers including Indian tourists who book regular international tickets to Thailand will be eligible for the offer. Tickets can be redeemed through airline websites, multi-city booking options, fly-thru services, or online travel agents. Each traveller will be entitled to two domestic flight tickets (one departure and one return), along with a 20 kg baggage allowance.

Boosting Tourism and Economic Growth

The project aims to attract at least 200,000 international visitors and will be overseen by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

To implement the scheme, TAT will partner with six domestic airlines-Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai Airways International (THAI), Thai Lion Air, and Thai VietJet. Special promotions will be offered to align with Thailand’s wider strategy of boosting tourism and revitalizing the economy.

Authorities project that the initiative could generate 8.81 billion baht in direct tourist spending, with an overall economic impact estimated at 21.80 billion baht.

Other Tourism Initiatives in Thailand

Alongside this programme, Thailand has been running the “Half-Price Thailand Travel” scheme to stimulate domestic tourism. Demand has been strong, with major cities already reaching full booking capacity. Of the total 500,000 slots, around 54,075 remain available in smaller destinations, which are expected to be fully utilized by September.

If proven successful, a second phase of the initiative may be introduced, with a focus on promoting travel to lesser-known cities and regions across Thailand.