Thailand proposes THB3.5bn domestic travel support for 2027

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has proposed using THB3.5 billion in borrowed funds to subsidise domestic travel for 200,000 Thai tourists in 2027, offering accommodation support and digital spending vouchers under Thai Teaw Thai Plus.

A senior Tourism and Sports Ministry source told Thansettakij on 23 October 2026 that TAT had requested funding from a THB200 billion borrowing programme under the 2026 emergency decree addressing the energy crisis and supporting Thailand’s energy transition.

The proposed scheme would provide one million accommodation entitlements, with five allocated to each participant. Public registration is planned for January–February 2027, followed by travel between March and June.

TAT’s funding request links weaker domestic travel to higher oil prices and living costs arising from conflict in the Middle East. Thailand’s dependence on imported energy has exposed households and businesses to these pressures despite the country not being directly involved in the conflict, according to the report.

Thai Teaw Thai Plus would encourage travel between provinces and distribute spending to local businesses and communities. Benefits would be available throughout the week in all 77 provinces.

Accommodation support and digital vouchers

The proposed THB3.5 billion budget would be divided between THB1.5 billion for accommodation subsidies and up to THB2 billion for digital vouchers.

Accommodation support would be set at a flat THB1,500 per night, covering one million entitlements. Each participating traveller would receive five accommodation entitlements.

Digital vouchers would operate on a 50% government co-payment basis. Government support would be capped at THB1,500 per entitlement for eligible spending in major tourism destinations and THB2,000 in secondary destinations, with five voucher entitlements per traveller.

Eligible spending would cover restaurants, tourist attractions, One Tambon One Product (OTOP) shops, spas and wellness massage services, car and boat hire, and community tourism activities, alongside the accommodation component.

At least 3,000 tourism businesses targeted

Thai Teaw Thai Plus would target 200,000 Thai travellers and participation by at least 3,000 tourism businesses. The proposed business categories include small and medium-sized enterprises, qualifying start-ups and other specified tourism operators.

Small manufacturers would qualify with no more than 50 employees or annual revenue of no more than THB100 million. Small service, wholesale and retail businesses would qualify with no more than 30 employees or annual revenue of no more than THB50 million.

Medium-sized service, wholesale and retail businesses would qualify with 31–100 employees or annual revenue exceeding THB50 million but not exceeding THB300 million. The reported medium-sized manufacturing category covers businesses employing 51–200 people.

Start-ups would face no employment or annual-revenue limits but would need strong growth potential and a business model centred on innovation or technology.

The proposed accommodation categories include licensed hotels and lodging businesses operating legally and holding tax records. A separate category would cover other accommodation operators with tax records and annual service revenue of no more than THB300 million.

Restaurants, attractions, OTOP businesses, community enterprises and other participating service providers would need to operate legally. TAT would determine the programme’s detailed rules and conditions and oversee implementation.

Registration through Paotang proposed for early 2027

Krungthai Bank would develop the systems for travellers to register, book accommodation and make payments through the Paotang app. Participating businesses would accept the programme’s conditions and receive payments through the Thung Ngern app.

Under the proposed timetable, public registration would run from January to February 2027, while tourism businesses could enrol from January to June. Travellers could use the benefits from March to June, with payments to participating businesses scheduled from March to August.

Thai Teaw Thai Plus remains a funding proposal, with the reported timetable and benefits subject to final confirmation.

THB15.6 billion in economic receipts projected

TAT estimates the programme would support travel by at least 200,000 people and generate THB15.6 billion in receipts throughout the economy.

TAT also projects employment equivalent to 17,100 full-time jobs for one year, alongside additional government receipts from value-added tax and other taxes.

Tourism businesses are expected to receive at least THB5.5 billion, based on projected accommodation revenue and spending supported by digital vouchers.

TAT’s stated objectives are to increase the frequency of domestic trips and consumer spending while easing the impact of weaker travel demand on tourism operators and related businesses.