Thailand to provide 200,000 international visitors free domestic flights Sep–Nov

Thailand is moving to broaden its tourist appeal and curb overcrowding by offering free domestic flights to 200,000 international visitors during the upcoming low season. The plan would subsidize roundtrip domestic flights for eligible travelers, funded with a budget of about 700 million baht, and would run from September through November as part of a broader effort to distribute visitors more evenly across the country’s regions. Airlines participating include Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and Thai Vietjet, with each free ticket worth up to 3,500 baht for a round trip and including 20 kilograms of checked baggage. Travelers would book international flights through participating carriers or through online travel agents and would receive a voucher for the free domestic flight upon arrival in Thailand. Arrivals by bus or boat are not eligible, and existing bookings would not qualify. A list of specific eligible routes has yet to be announced, with officials signaling that the program could steer travelers toward lesser-visited destinations such as Isaan, Sukhothai, Lampang, Phayao, and smaller islands.

The campaign comes as Thailand’s tourism...