AS PART of a tourism promotion campaign the cabinet is going to be asked to approve the distribution of free domestic air tickets, along with 20 kilogrammes of baggage allowance, to 200,000 foreign tourists who purchase regular-priced air tickets to fly to Thailand, Thai Rath newspaper said this morning (Aug. 20).
Mr. Sorawong Thienthong, who helms this ministry, said the “Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights” project is part of the 2025 tourism stimulus policy to encourage international tourist travel to destinations beyond major tourist cities.
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will collaborate with six domestic airlines: AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai Airways, Thai Lion Air and Thai Vietjet Air in giving away free domestic air tickets.
“This project targets at least 200,000 foreign tourists travelling to Thailand. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports will propose this to the cabinet for consideration and allocation of the central budget from the reserve fund for emergency or necessity,” he said.
To be requested is 700 million baht to cover domestic air fares at 1,750 baht per trip or 3,500 baht round-trip for 200,000 foreign tourists or 400,000 seats.
This project, which will cover the entire country focusing on UNESCO-registered provinces, attractive tourist destinations and major tourist cities, will likely run from September to November 2025.
This expected revenue stream is minimum 8.814.40 billion baht from international tourist travel and at least 21.801 billion baht in economic service fees.
CAPTIONS:
Top: An airplane flying away from Phuket after taking off from the island’s airport. Photo: Phuket@photographer.net (CC BY 2.0)
Insert: Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong. Photo: Thai Rath
Front Page: An airplane flying close to Phuket. Photo: Bao Menglong on Unsplash
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