Published on
August 21, 2025
Thailand has announced an ambitious new tourism strategy that targets international visitors originating from China, Malaysia, Russia, India, and South Korea. The initiative provides free internal airfare to entice arrivals to drift beyond the country’s most trademark hotspots. Visitors will be able to redeem round-trip tickets to a spectrum of secondary destinations, thus minimizing congestion at iconic sites and diffusing the economic impact of tourism. The complementary domestic flight service is intended to lower cost barriers, thereby amplifying interest in Thailand’s full cultural palette, varied landscapes, and lesser-visited attractions. The central government views the measure as a dual economic and ecological intervention, calculated not merely to lift immediate airport revenue but to write a more balanced spreadsheet of tourism income between urban centers and peripheral communities. Drive times will shrink and accommodation capacity will tighten, allowing the tourism surplus to reach farmers, artisans, and entrepreneurs far from Bangkok’s skyline.
Thailand is set to introduce an ambitious new initiative aimed at enhancing its tourism appeal while encouraging exploration beyond its traditional hotspots. Titled “Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flight,” the program will offer 200,000 international visitors free domestic flights to a selection of lesser-explored destinations across the country. The initiative is scheduled to run from September to November 2025, providing a strategic boost to Thailand’s secondary travel hubs.
The program is backed by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, which has allocated THB 700 million (approximately USD 21.5 million) from the central reserve fund. This budget will cover the costs of domestic flights, with each round-trip voucher valued at THB 3,500 (around USD 107). The package also includes a 20 kg baggage allowance, making it convenient for travellers to explore Thailand’s hidden gems without extra expenses.
Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and VietJet Thailand are all joining the initiative, offering travelers a seamless way to explore Thailand’s domestic destinations. International travellers can book eligible flights either directly with these airlines or through online travel agents. Upon arrival in Thailand, visitors will receive vouchers redeemable for domestic flights, granting easy access to destinations beyond the usual tourist circuits.
This program reflects Thailand’s ongoing commitment to diversifying its tourism offerings. Traditionally, the country has been known for bustling cities like Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai, but this initiative encourages visitors to experience smaller towns, serene islands, and regional cultural centers, thus distributing tourism benefits more evenly across the country.
Thailand’s tourism industry is witnessing remarkable expansion in 2025. As of April 20, the nation has attracted more than 11.27 million international visitors, contributing a substantial THB 540.6 billion in revenue. Such impressive numbers highlight the crucial role tourism plays in Thailand’s economy. With continued promotional efforts like the free domestic flight program, the government anticipates further growth in arrivals and revenue.
Among international visitors, Chinese tourists led the numbers with 1.52 million arrivals, followed by substantial contributions from Malaysia, Russia, India, and South Korea. Despite a minor dip in tourist activity following the Songkran festival in mid-April, the overall trend indicates a strong rebound, reinforcing Thailand’s position as one of Southeast Asia’s most popular travel destinations.
By offering incentives that combine international travel with domestic exploration, Thailand is not only increasing its tourist footfall but also promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism development. The “Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flight” initiative is poised to reshape travel patterns, encourage longer stays, and highlight Thailand’s rich diversity beyond its iconic landmarks.
In summary, Thailand’s “Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flight” initiative functions as a multifaceted policy to draw foreign tourists while simultaneously spotlighting outlying destinations. The provision of complimentary domestic flights—available to travelers from China, Malaysia, Russia, India, or South Korea, among other markets—directs movement away from internationally recognised centres and channels expenditure into less-visited regions. By lowering the friction of intra-kingdom travel, the programme is expected to stimulate peripheral labour markets, enrich the total visitor narrative, and, ultimately, deepen the commercial dividends of the tourism sector, which already exerts a pronounced influence on national income. As pre-existing visitor levels recover, the measure is likely to extend the duration of stays, broaden the geographic dispersal of tourist spending, and promote awareness of Thailand’s varied cultural and ecological offerings.
