Thailand's Tourism and Sports Ministry has proposed an innovative initiative aimed at reigniting its vital tourism sector by offering free or significantly discounted domestic flights to international visitors. This program, tentatively named "Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights in Thailand," awaits Cabinet approval but holds the potential to substantially boost the country's tourism revenue and provide travelers with a more comprehensive exploration of Thailand beyond its traditional hotspots.

Under the proposed campaign, international travelers who have already secured an international airline ticket to Thailand could receive a subsidy of 1,750 baht (approximately $54) for a one-way domestic flight, or double that amount for a round trip. This benefit would be applicable on one of six participating Thai airlines and would also cover a checked bag up to 44 pounds. The travel window for this scheme would be limited to September through November 2025. It's important to note, as clarified by Sorawong Thienthong, Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister, that this is an exclusive campaign for foreign visitors who have not yet booked a domestic ticket, meaning those with existing domestic bookings would not be eligible.

One of the primary objectives of this program is to encourage international tourists to venture beyond popular, often overcrowded, destinations like Bangkok and Phuket, and discover more diverse regions of Thailand. Despite the initiative's projected cost of millions to the government, it is anticipated to generate a return on investment in tourism revenue more than ten times its outlay. This is crucial as Thailand's tourism numbers have seen a 7% decline this year compared to last, falling short of the peak nearly 40 million international visitors recorded in 2019. Tourism is a cornerstone of the Thai economy, making such innovative recovery strategies vital.

Thailand's approach is not entirely unprecedented, as other countries have implemented similar programs. Japan, for instance, offers special low-cost domestic fares for many international travelers through Japan Airlines, and All Nippon Airways (ANA) allows passengers to add a free domestic round trip flight out of Tokyo when booking an international ticket. If Thailand's campaign proves successful, there is potential for its extension, and it could inspire other nations to adopt similar models to stimulate their own tourism industries.