Thailand mulls offering free flights to vaccinated tourists
Thailand’s Tourism Ministry is considering offering foreign tourists free domestic flights to disperse tourism spending around the country.
Starting in July vaccinated tourists will be able to come to Phuket and could be ‘tempted to extend their stay after spending 10 days in Phuket if we can provide them free or discounted air tickets to other provinces," said Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.
Phuket is the first destination in the ‘sandbox’ initiative to open up specific destinations for quarantine-free stays for inoculated travellers.
Phiphat said the government hopes to attraction about 100,000 tourists in the first three months before other destinations reopen.
"We may offer free or discounted tickets, but we have to ensure tourists are confident to travel," he said.
Under the sandbox scheme travellers have to spend time in Phuket but are then able to travel elsewhere in the country subject to using a government managed tracking app.
Krabi, Samui, Pattaya, Phangnga and Chiang Mai are expected to join the sandbox scheme from the fourth quarter of this year.
Along with Phuket these six destinations generate about 80% of Thailand’s tourism revenue.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026