Thai Times

Covering the Thai Renaissance
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026

Indian Arrivals Surge to 1.5 Million This Year Thanks to Visa-Free Policy

The waiver, effective from November 10 through May 10, 2024, has increased daily Indian visitors from 4,000 to between 5,000 and 5,500. The TAT has leveraged marketing efforts in New Delhi and Mumbai, targeting groups like corporate, golf, and wedding tourists to continue this growth.

Phuket welcomed the first Air India flight from New Delhi, marking the start of a four-times-weekly service, set to expand to daily in January. This boosts flight capacity nearly to pre-pandemic levels, with Indian travelers already contributing an average of 39,500 baht each.

Most visitors are independent travelers, frequenting destinations such as Bangkok and Phuket. India now ranks as Thailand's third largest tourist source. With Air India increasing its flights, Phuket expects even more Indian tourists, building upon the 235,070 who have visited this year.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Thai Baht Leads Regional Decline as Asian Currencies Trade Mixed
Sri Lanka and Thailand Introduce Fuel Controls as Middle East War Disrupts Oil Supply
Thailand Urges Businesses to Hold Prices as Diesel Subsidy Review Looms
Thailand Launches ‘Healing Journey Thailand’ Campaign to Promote Wellness Travel
Thailand and Laos Mark Seventy Five Years of Diplomatic Ties Celebrating Mekong Friendship
MTech Reaffirms Longstanding Partnership with Alimak to Support Industrial Development in Thailand
Thailand Showcases Film Industry Strength at Hong Kong FILMART 2026
Thailand Activates Tourism Crisis Plan as Middle East Conflict Threatens Travel Flows
Thailand Confirms Oil Exports to Laos Will Continue Despite Global Energy Uncertainty
Thailand Considers Reviving Free Domestic Flight Incentive to Boost Tourism
Thai Parliament to Vote Thursday on Next Prime Minister Following National Election
Thailand Orders Return of 284 Tonnes of Illegal Electronic Waste to the United States
Rescued Thai Sailors Return to Bangkok After Cargo Ship Attack Near Strait of Hormuz
Rescued Thai Sailors Return to Bangkok After Cargo Ship Attack Near Strait of Hormuz
Thailand Moves to Digitally Consolidate National Disease Surveillance System
Vietnam Warns of Possible Flight Cuts as Jet Fuel Supply Tightens After Regional Export Restrictions
Thailand Parliament Opens New Session Amid Debate Over Barcodes on Election Ballots
Fuel Curbs Spread Across Asia as Hormuz Crisis Sparks Energy Supply Fears
Thailand Parliament Opens New Session Amid Debate Over Barcodes on Election Ballots
Twenty Thai Sailors Set to Return Home as Search Continues for Three Missing After Strait of Hormuz Attack
Thai Trade Office in New York Sees Opportunity for Exporters in US Section 301 Tariff Exclusions
Thailand Refiners Outline Four Measures to Shield Economy From Potential Oil Supply Shock
Thailand Seeks Larger LNG Supply From US Producer Cheniere to Strengthen Energy Security
Heat Intensifies Across Upper Thailand as Rainfall Declines While Southern Provinces Face Ongoing Storms
Thailand Calls for Durable Ceasefire and Urges Cambodia Not to Escalate Border Dispute
MotoGP 2026 Thailand Grand Prix: Full Weekend Schedule and How Fans Can Watch the Season Opener
Why the International Court of Justice Struggles to Resolve the Thailand–Cambodia Border Dispute
Why the International Court of Justice Struggles to Resolve the Thailand–Cambodia Border Dispute
From Bangkok to Istanbul: Real-World Locations Behind ‘The Night Agent’
Thailand’s Oil Product Sales Stay Above One Million Barrels Per Day in January
Thailand’s Finance Ministry, Central Bank and IMF Highlight Strong Progress in Economic Reforms
Thailand’s Rice Farmers Hit as Iran Conflict Disrupts Key Middle East Export Routes
OECD Tax Guidance Update Raises New Questions for Remote Workers and Employers in Thailand
Legal Advisers Urge Early Planning for Thailand’s 2026 Permanent Residency Applications
Jewish Life in Thailand: Fourteen Insights Into a Small but Historic Community
Jewish Life in Thailand: Fourteen Insights Into a Small but Historic Community
Asian Energy Security Tested as Strait of Hormuz Disruption Threatens Oil Supplies
Iran Sets Three Conditions for Ending Regional War as Diplomatic Efforts Intensify
Thailand Bolsters Energy Security as Oil Reserves Reach 98 Days and Officials Explore Russian Supply Talks
Thailand Bolsters Energy Security as Oil Reserves Reach 98 Days and Officials Explore Russian Supply Talks
Central Retail Plans Up to $560 Million Expansion Across Thailand and Vietnam
Thailand Warns Growth Could Be Cut in Half if Middle East Conflict Persists for Three Months
Thailand Launches DITP EXPO 2026 to Propel Local Businesses onto the Global Stage
Thailand–Europe Flights Continue Despite Middle East Conflict as Airlines Reroute Around Restricted Airspace
Summer Storm System Expected to Strike 48 Thai Provinces Including Bangkok
Summer Storm System Expected to Strike 48 Thai Provinces Including Bangkok
Thailand Advancing Toward Southeast Asia’s Premier Medical Hub
Thailand Advancing Toward Southeast Asia’s Premier Medical Hub
MJets Appointed as Gulfstream Business Jet Sales Representative in Thailand
Thailand Demands Apology From Iran After Cargo Ship Struck in Strait of Hormuz
×