Thailand’s inbound flights forecast to rise 5.8% as domestic fare cuts begin

Scheduled international flights to Thailand are expected to rise 5.8% year on year in the fourth quarter of 2026, according to the Kasikorn Research Center, with Bangkok and Phuket remaining the country’s main international flight hubs.

The projected growth is more than double the 2.5% increase forecast worldwide. Flights from Europe are expected to increase by 28.6% and those from China by 21.6%, supporting travel during the year-end period.

However, flights from India, Russia and South Korea are forecast to fall by 4.6%, 22.5% and 20.5%, respectively. The research centre said Thailand’s growth was trailing Vietnam, Malaysia and China, increasing competition for international tourists.

The uneven trends could affect how the tourism recovery is distributed, as international flights remain concentrated in Bangkok and Phuket. Geopolitical risks, flooding in some areas and high jet fuel costs could also affect airlines’ decisions on adding or reducing routes.

Separately, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has launched the “Fly Everywhere in Thailand, Heal Your Heart on Every Trip” campaign under the Domestic Stimulus programme. Seven airlines will offer Thai travellers B500 off each regular-priced domestic flight, with discounts of up to B1,000 for a return journey.

Bookings open on 15 October 2026 and close on 15 December, while travel is valid until 15 January 2027. The discount is available on a first-come, first-served basis, requires no registration and uses the promotional code “FLYTODOM”. Outbound and return flights must be booked separately to receive the discount for both.

The TAT expects the scheme to generate at least B156.0735 million in tourism revenue by encouraging domestic travel and spending across transport, accommodation, restaurants, attractions and related services.