Thailand’s inbound flights to rise 5.8% and domestic fare cuts to start
Seven airlines are set to offer Thai travellers THB500 off domestic flights, while inbound flight growth varies by market and trails several regional rivals.
- Scheduled international flights to Thailand are expected to increase by 5.8% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2026, driven by a surge in arrivals from Europe and China.
- Despite overall growth, flights from key markets like India, Russia, and South Korea have declined, and Thailand faces strong competition from neighboring countries.
- A new domestic travel campaign has started, with seven participating airlines offering a THB500 discount per flight (up to THB1,000 for a return trip).
- The domestic flight discounts are available for booking from October 15 to December 15, for travel valid until January 15, 2027, using the promo code “FLYTODOM”.
Scheduled international flights to Thailand are up 5.8% year on year in the fourth quarter of 2026, compared with 2.5% growth worldwide, Kasikorn Research Center said.
Thailand’s growth trails Vietnam, Malaysia and China, pointing to stronger competition for international tourists.
Faster expansion at rival destinations could influence airlines’ flight allocations and put pressure on Thailand’s ability to retain its tourist market share.
Flights from China, Malaysia and Europe continue to increase, with Europe up 28.6% and China up 21.6%, likely to support year-end travel to Thailand.
Flights from India, Russia and South Korea, however, are down 4.6%, 22.5% and 20.5%, respectively.
These contrasting trends could leave the recovery in foreign visitor numbers uneven.
International flights remain concentrated in Bangkok and Phuket, suggesting that the benefits of the tourism recovery may be distributed unevenly among destinations.
Geopolitical risks, flooding in some areas and high jet fuel costs also require monitoring, as they could prompt airlines to slow flight additions or scale back their route networks.
Domestic flight discount scheme
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool promoted domestic travel on Tuesday (October 13, 2026) through the “Fly Everywhere in Thailand, Heal Your Heart on Every Trip” campaign under the Domestic Stimulus programme.
The seven participating airlines are:
- Thai Airways
- Thai AirAsia
- Thai Vietjet Air
- Bangkok Airways
- Nok Air
- Thai Lion Air
- Ezy Airlines
The airlines are set to offer Thai travellers buying regular-priced domestic tickets THB500 off per flight, with discounts of up to THB1,000 per person for a return journey.
The discounts apply on a first-come, first-served basis, with no registration required and no limit on how many times they can be used.
Outbound and return flights must be booked separately to claim the discount for both.
Booking dates and conditions
Bookings and travel begin on October 15. Bookings close on December 15, while travel is valid until January 15, 2027.
Travellers can check details and conditions and book through the participating airlines’ websites or applications using the promotional code “FLYTODOM”.
Each airline’s terms and conditions apply, and further enquiries can be made directly to the airlines.
Tourism revenue and regional benefits
TAT expects the scheme to generate at least THB156.0735 million in tourism revenue by encouraging more frequent domestic trips and stimulating spending.
It also aims to ease travel costs amid global oil price pressures, improve businesses’ cash flow and distribute income to regions and communities.
The initiative aims to support businesses throughout the tourism and service industries, covering transport, accommodation, restaurants, attractions and related services.
It is intended to stimulate economic activity throughout the tourism supply chain and support sustainable tourism growth.
Booking channels for the seven participating airlines
