Global Travel News
THAI Unveils 2025 Asian Travel Insights at THAI Talk
The event featured executives from leading business partners including Mastercard, YouTrip, Doi Tung, and Kanvela Chocolate, as well as popular travel influencers from the “Where Do We Go” page and the “Loi Story” channel. They shared Asian travel experiences, highlighted interesting new destinations, and revealed travel preparation tips for more enjoyable trips.
Tokyo, Singapore, and Shanghai Lead 2025’s Most Popular Cities
Mr. Kittiphong Sansomboon, THAI Chief Commercial Officer, revealed, “Based on Thai passenger statistics from January to July 2024, the top 5 routes from Bangkok to Asia were Tokyo (Narita), Hong Kong, Osaka, Singapore, and Korea (Seoul). In 2025, Tokyo remains the champion while Singapore and Shanghai climbed to second and third place, replacing Hong Kong and Osaka. Seoul, South Korea, still ranks in the top 10.”
“Routes showing interesting growth include Colombo, Sri Lanka, which saw over 100% increase in Thai travelers, while Shanghai, China, experienced over 80% passenger growth. In 2025, THAI increased flights on multiple routes to accommodate new demand, such as Shanghai, Colombo, and Denpasar (Bali).”
Guangzhou Gains Momentum as 2025 Hotspot
Mr. Kittiphong Sansomboon continued, “The rising star is Guangzhou, China, which is one of the routes where Thai tourist has increased compared to last year. Thais don’t just go shopping there, but are also interested in museums, history, sightseeing, and trying the diverse street food options available. This popularity has grown even more following China’s visa-free measures, which have made travel much more convenient.”
China represents a hidden gem for Thai travelers, offering a complete package with affordable costs and attractions of every type. From natural scenery, history, and culture to the famous theme park like Disneyland, it appeals to those seeking unique experiences different from Japan or Korea. Additionally, THAI serves major cities throughout China to provide maximum convenience and the best travel experience for passengers.
Thai Travelers Shift to “Full-Service”, All-Inclusive Flight Experience
“Current Thai travelers prioritize convenience more than ever, preferring full-service flights where one payment covers all their needs. THAI meets passenger demands for comfort throughout their journey, whether through wide-body aircraft, spacious cabins, modern in-flight entertainment systems, and premium meals meticulously crafted for all cabin classes of service.
All Airbus A320 aircraft have been upgraded with Royal Silk Class seats that recline more comfortably to serve premium travelers who prioritize comfort even on short-haul routes. THAI is committed to creating smooth, valuable travel experiences with attention to every detail. We’ve also increased flight frequencies and designed schedules to match traveler lifestyles, such as overnight departures that arrive in the morning for full-day exploration, or morning flights arriving in the afternoon perfect for hotel check-in timing. This suits both working people who want to save vacation days and families traveling with children or elderly passengers who need comfort, emphasizing THAI’s commitment to seamless, value-driven travel,” concluded Mr. Kittiphong.
YouTrip Reveals 2025 Travel Trends: New-Gen Travelers Embrace “Cut the Cost, Not the Holiday” Mindset
Ms. Juthasree Kuvinichkul, Founding Partner, YouTrip Thailand, stated, “In the first half of 2025, international travel among Thais grew by 45% compared to last year, reflecting how overseas travel has become a lifestyle priority. But to match desire with practicality, travelers are adopting a smarter approach by opting for Asia destinations that offer the same luxury experience as long-haul trips at a fraction of the price. We’re also seeing Thais become more financially savvy, with a 25% increase in travelers monitoring exchange rates and pre-exchanging currencies to lock in favourable rates and stretch their budgets further.
Another clear trend is the rise of the digital-age traveler. From using AI to plan itineraries to making seamless payments with multi-currency wallets like YouTrip, smartphones have become the ‘new passport’ that powers every journey. Features such as real-time spend notifications and the ability to lock or unlock cards instantly in-app are no longer add-ons, but essentials that give travelers confidence and convenience throughout their trips.”
“Good Taste for a Good Cause” Campaign Brings Thai Products Worldwide
Another event highlight was revealing the vision behind the important “Good Taste for a Good Cause” campaign reflecting THAI’s sustainability commitment. Mr. Wit Kitchathorn, THAI Director of Customer & Marketing, said, “THAI’s in-flight service not only impresses global travelers with outstanding taste and quality, but also supports Thai agriculturers and entrepreneurs through selecting high-quality local ingredients to deliver both good taste and social value while reflecting Thai identity we proudly present. THAI partners with quality Thai brands with clear positions in elevating Thai ingredients to international standards – including Thai coffee from Doi Tung and premium chocolate from Kanvela Chocolate. We also have THAI’s own rice crackers from the concept that in-flight snacks must be quality Thai products. Under the theme ‘Thai rice, Global Vibe’. We use three Thai rice varieties: jasmine rice from Buriram, Kor Khor 6 sticky rice from Chiang Rai, and white rice from Pathum Thani, offering flavors appealing to global passengers. Currently we support farmers by ordering 100 tons of rice monthly and continuously create excitement with new flavors.”
THAI proudly strengthens the partnerships with exceptional Thai brands, bringing the true taste of Thailand to international skies. Kanvela Chocolate creates distinctive craft chocolates using Thai-grown cacao, masterfully combining traditional Thai dessert elements with tropical fruits. Its signature soft mung bean crepe chocolate, featuring rich notes of mung bean, coconut, and toasted sesame, is exclusively served in Royal First class. Doi Tung has developed the sophisticated Black Silk Blend, a premium drip coffee that weaves together dark chocolate and caramel notes for an exceptionally smooth finish. This signature blend is served in both Royal First and Royal Silk cabins, while its new Royal Highland Single Origin coffee is now available across all classes and flights.
Super Deal with Mastercard to Asian Routes
Beyond premium service and comfortable travel, THAI has partnered with Mastercard to offer an exceptional promotion: a 2,000 baht discount per seat for round-trip bookings from Thailand to all Asian destinations via Thai Airways channels when paying with Mastercard using code “MCTHASIA”.
- Book: Now through September 30, 2025 (terms and conditions apply)
- Travel: Now through December 31, 2025
- Routes: Departures from Bangkok and all Thailand domestic routes including Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hat Yai, Khon Kaen, and more to all Asian destinations such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and many more
THAI encourages travelers to discover new destinations with comprehensive full-service convenience, combining exceptional value and comfort while supporting sustainable practices that benefit Thai communities.
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