Thailand is set to make travel within the country even more rewarding for international visitors with its new initiative, “Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights.” The programme, designed to draw travellers beyond the usual hubs of Bangkok and Phuket, encourages exploration of the country’s cultural, historical, and lesser-known destinations.
Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong has announced that a 700 million baht budget will be sought from the Cabinet to fund the scheme, according to The Nation Thailand.
How the Free Flight Scheme Works
The government will subsidise domestic flight tickets priced at 1,750 baht for one-way trips (3,500 baht for round trips). Eligible routes will connect travellers to UNESCO World Heritage cities, popular attractions, and regional destinations across Thailand.
The programme will run from August to December 2025, with travel available between September and November.
Foreign tourists, including those from India, can claim the benefit by purchasing standard international tickets to Thailand through airline websites, multi-city bookings, fly-thru services, or online travel agents. Each traveller can receive up to two free domestic flight tickets (one departure and one return), along with a 20 kg baggage allowance.
Boosting Tourism and the Economy
The scheme is expected to attract at least 200,000 international tourists and will be managed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
To deliver the programme, TAT will partner with six domestic airlines: Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai Airways International (THAI), Thai Lion Air, and Thai VietJet. These carriers will roll out exclusive promotions in line with the government’s push to strengthen the economy through tourism.
Authorities estimate that the initiative could generate direct spending of 8.81 billion baht and a broader economic impact of nearly 21.8 billion baht.
This bold step reinforces Thailand’s position as a top global travel destination while opening doors for visitors to discover the country’s hidden gems
