Indian travelers are heading to Thailand in unprecedented numbers.
According to data from the DGCA, 11.6 lakh passengers traveled between India and Thailand via direct flights during the April-June quarter. In a bid to attract more tourists, Thailand, which heavily relies on tourism, added India to its “visa-free” category starting November 10, 2023, initially until May 2024. This policy has now been extended to November 11, 2024. With Malaysia offering similar benefits and Indian airlines expanding routes to Central Asia, Indian travelers have plenty of options. But, ten months into the visa-free regime, how many Indians are flocking to Thailand?
For Indians, Thailand isn’t just a popular holiday spot; it’s an easy and affordable choice due to its proximity, lively nightlife, and budget-friendly options. While 2024 figures are awaited, 1.62 million Indians visited Thailand last year, still fewer than the pre-COVID peak of 1.9 million in 2019. Thailand, which previously attracted 11 million Chinese tourists annually, is now tapping into the Indian market due to China’s slower reopening post-pandemic.
In the first half of this year, 1.04 million Indian tourists visited Thailand, positioning the country to surpass 2019 figures. India is currently the fourth-largest tourism source for Thailand, following Malaysia, China, and South Korea. Although India won’t challenge the top three, the increasing number of Indian tourists reflects a boost in international travel and the success of the visa-free initiative.
How has the aviation sector adapted to this surge?
Exclusive data from aviation analytics firm Cirium, shared with HindustanTimes.com, shows that airlines have added 81 weekly flights between India and Thailand since November, when the visa-free scheme began. By November this year, there will be 355 weekly flights between the two nations, offering 64,880 seats each way.
Sixteen Indian airports and three Thai airports are connected, with Indian airlines operating 145 weekly flights and Thai airlines handling 185. Indian carriers will provide 25,694 seats weekly, while Thai carriers will offer 38,950 seats. Thai Airways leads with 80 weekly flights, followed by IndiGo (79) and Thai AirAsia (68).
Air India, which launched Phuket flights this year, aims to serve not only Indian passengers but also European tourists with a short layover in Delhi. There is ongoing speculation that more Thai destinations will soon be linked with India.
Airlines continue to expand their routes, with Nok Air launching Mumbai flights this winter. However, SpiceJet’s financial troubles have restricted its operations, despite holding rights to more flights, and Go FIRST, which ceased operations in May last year, had a significant presence in Thailand.
Emerging hubs
Air India has expanded its Thai operations, offering more connections via Delhi. Meanwhile, Thai AirAsia and Thai Airways are looking to capture Indian traffic heading to the U.S., Japan, Australia, Indonesia, and China through Bangkok’s two airports. Both Thai Airways and Air India are members of Star Alliance, further boosting connectivity.
Final Thoughts
While China has historically dominated travel in the ASEAN region, India is fast catching up. Currently, there are three times more flights between Thailand and China than between Thailand and India, but Indian travelers are making Thailand a top destination, drawn by its beaches, street food, nightlife, and ease of travel. The visa-free regime is likely to extend beyond November, bringing more benefits to airlines, though the majority of ticket sales will still come from India.
