Indian Travel to Thailand Soars Amid Visa-Free Regime

Indian Travel to Thailand: Between April and June 2024, a significant 1.16 million passengers traveled between India and Thailand on direct flights, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This increase in travel underscores the growing popularity of Thailand as a destination for Indian tourists.

Visa-Free Policy Boosts Tourism

Thailand, traditionally known for its tourism sector, has further attracted Indian visitors by adding them to the “visa-free” category starting November 10, 2023. This policy was initially set to last until May 2024 but has been extended until November 11, 2024. The move has been echoed by Malaysia, which has also implemented a similar policy. With Indian airlines expanding routes to Central Asia, Indian travelers now have more options than ever.

Current Trends and Comparisons

For the year 2023, Thailand saw 1.62 million Indian tourists, a decrease from 1.9 million in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the first half of 2024 has already seen 1.04 million Indian tourists visiting Thailand, putting the country on track to surpass pre-COVID numbers. India is now the fourth-largest source of tourists for Thailand, following Malaysia, China, and South Korea.

Air Travel Expansions

According to Cirium, an aviation analytics company, airlines have significantly increased their flight frequencies between India and Thailand. In November 2024, there will be 355 weekly flights, an increase from the previous year when the visa-free policy was introduced. This expansion includes 64,880 seats available each way. Indian carriers will operate 145 weekly flights, while Thai carriers will run 185 weekly flights. Notably, Thai Airways, IndiGo, and Thai AirAsia are the top three airlines serving this route.

New Routes and Carrier Strategies

Air India has expanded its routes to include Phuket, catering not only to Indian travelers but also European tourists with layovers in Delhi. Thai carriers are also seeking to attract Indian passengers traveling to destinations in America, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, and China via Bangkok. Thai Airways and Air India, both members of the Star Alliance, are enhancing connectivity.

Future Prospects

Despite ongoing competition from China, which maintains three times as many flight frequencies to Thailand as India, the increasing number of Indian travelers suggests a bright future for tourism between the two countries.

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The visa-free regime is expected to continue beyond November, potentially boosting travel further. This positive trend is beneficial for airlines and highlights Thailand’s appeal as a convenient, vibrant, and affordable destination for Indian tourists.