A woman in a colorful skirt and sunhat with arms raised, standing on a tropical beach in Thailand, facing traditional longtail boats anchored in turquoise water surrounded by limestone cliffs.

Asia

Why Thailand should be on your 2025 travel list

On May 6, 2025, the Thai Cabinet officially endorsed the bold new tourism strategy called the “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025.” Developed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in collaboration with multiple ministries and private sector partners, this campaign is a wide-reaching effort to boost Thailand’s appeal as a global destination.

The plan lays out key focus areas that essentially roll out the red carpet for international visitors.

Here’s what this means for you as a tourist and why Thailand should be high on your list this year.

1. More flights, better connections, lower costs

Getting to Thailand is about to become a lot smoother as the aviation sector is one of the campaign’s core focuses. You can expect an increase in flight options and routes as Thailand works with airlines to reduce service fees and add more landing slots. This could open up lesser-known gems like Chiang Rai or Trang while making flights to Thailand more frequent and affordable.

2. More accommodation options

The government plans to raise standards across Thailand’s hospitality industry, promoting national certifications like Thai Homestay and improving how small hotels show up on booking platforms. That means you may soon find more unique and quality-assured places to stay.

3. Special discounts and tax perks for international tourists

Retail therapy could get a lot more rewarding. Thailand is looking to introduce exclusive shopping discounts, multi-currency VAT refund systems, and a nationwide cashless tourism platform. These updates are expected to make spending and saving easier for foreign visitors.

4. Special tourist passes for easier local travel

Getting around might become simpler, too. Thailand is expected to improve connectivity between buses, trains, ferries, and air routes, especially to less-visited destinations.

One exciting highlight is the planned “Amazing Pass 1-Day Bangkok”, which could give you unlimited travel within the capital for a flat fee.

5. Round-the-clock tourist help

Thailand is doubling down on making tourists feel safe and supported. The plan includes tourist assistance centres in all 77 provinces, a 24-hour multilingual hotline, and hospitality training for local volunteers. Foreign language interpreters are also expected to be more available at key destinations.

6. Simplified visas and possible long-stay options

Thailand is exploring visa exemptions, reduced fees, and easier online applications, along with potential long-stay and business visa programs. While the details are still being finalised, the direction points toward a more traveller-friendly visa process, especially for repeat or long-term visitors.

Bigger and better festivals, events, and nightlife attractions

The new campaign plans to expand events like Songkran (Thai New Year) and introduce new international-standard festivals. Attractions like museums and national parks may also have extended hours to give visitors more time to explore.

Watch out for the “7 Months 7 Wonders” series.

8. More multilingual tour guides and tourist SIMs

There will be more tour guides for major languages, including French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and more. Additionally, telecom providers may begin offering “Tourist SIM cards” with affordable data plans and perks.

So, what does this mean for you as a tourist?

This campaign means that Thailand is working to make sure your visit is seamless, memorable, and full of value. While not every update will happen overnight, the direction is clear.

And if you’re planning a trip soon, now’s a good time to start watching for announcements, promos, and new flight routes because 2025 might just be Thailand’s biggest tourism year yet.