Published on
August 21, 2025
Thailand is launching a new thrilling program to invite foreign travelers to visit the country’s varied areas outside the typical top spots. Entitled “Buy International, Fly Domestic Free”, this initiative provides free domestic flights to travelers who purchase long-distance international flights to Thailand. The purpose is to encourage tourists to move away from the standard hotspots and uncover the unknown charms of the kingdom, while promoting tourism in less busy, more serene areas.
Thailand’s “Buy International, Fly Domestic Free” Campaign: A Push for Regional Exploration
This exclusive offer is available to travelers flying with one of six participating Thai airlines: Thai Airways, Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and Thai Vietjet. The offer runs from September to November, providing international visitors with a unique opportunity to explore more of Thailand, with a complimentary domestic return or one-way flight to another destination within the country.
Encouraging Travel Beyond Major Tourist Hubs
Thailand’s major tourist cities—such as Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai—often experience overcrowding, particularly during peak seasons. With the new initiative, the government aims to distribute tourism traffic more evenly across the country, ensuring a more sustainable and balanced growth in the tourism sector. By offering a free domestic flight, the scheme encourages visitors to discover Thailand’s quieter regions, such as secluded islands in the Andaman Sea, serene river towns in the north, or culturally vibrant cities in the northeast.
The goal is to relieve pressure on the more popular tourist hubs while simultaneously generating much-needed tourism revenue for emerging destinations. Whether it’s a hidden gem with lush rural landscapes or a heritage-rich town, Thailand’s diverse regions offer unique experiences that appeal to travelers seeking authenticity and adventure.
How It Works: A Seamless Travel Experience
Eligible tourists who have already booked their international flight to Thailand can access the complimentary domestic flight upon arrival. To qualify, travelers must have not yet arranged their internal travel within Thailand. The offer covers one return flight or a one-way domestic flight with a 20-kilogram luggage allowance.
This initiative is designed to not only give visitors the chance to explore Thailand’s hidden treasures but also ease travel planning, with free domestic flights that integrate smoothly into their vacation experience.
Inspiration from Japan’s Successful Model
The concept for this domestic flight offer is modeled after similar efforts introduced in Japan, where the country has used tourism incentives to encourage domestic travel and alleviate overcrowding in major cities. Thailand is leveraging this approach to introduce a new, more accessible way for international travelers to experience the richness of Thailand’s culture, landscapes, and local communities, all while supporting the economy of regional tourism.
A Boost to Local Economies and Sustainable Tourism
This campaign not only promotes regional tourism but also emphasizes the importance of sustainable tourism practices. By encouraging travelers to explore less-visited areas, the initiative helps balance tourism’s economic benefits and reduces the pressure on heavily visited locations.
With the convenience of free domestic flights, travelers are more likely to visit new places, such as Krabi, Koh Samui, Chiang Rai, and Surat Thani, benefiting from the country’s exceptional hospitality, culture, and natural beauty. Local businesses, hotels, and tour operators in these lesser-known areas stand to gain significantly from the influx of international tourists.
Thailand’s Tourism Growth Strategy
The “Buy International, Fly Domestic Free” campaign is part of Thailand’s broader tourism growth strategy, aiming to attract more visitors, spread the economic impact of tourism across the nation, and provide visitors with a deeper, more rewarding experience. As the country works toward post-pandemic recovery, this initiative helps boost visitor numbers and ensures that tourism benefits are distributed more equally across the country.
Thailand’s charm is undeniable, and this program makes it easier than ever to experience all its diverse regions, from bustling cities to tranquil retreats, all within one seamless travel journey.
Conclusion: A New Era for Thai Tourism
Thailand’s “Buy International, Fly Domestic Free” campaign is a visionary and forward-thinking effort to encourage sustainable tourism, foster greater regional discovery, and stimulate local economies. With the free domestic flights that are inviting international travelers to venture beyond the popular tourist hubs, Thailand is paving the way for a new travel age. This effort not only enables tourists to fully enjoy all that the nation has to offer but also disperses the positive impacts of tourism more equitably, benefiting popular and developing destinations.
