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Skift
27-06-2025
- Business
- Skift
Why Is Thailand Funding 50% of Domestic Trips, and What's at Stake?
What may have been a bold move to jumpstart the tourism sector, the Half-Half Thai Travel scheme now feels more like a lifeline, as Thailand comes to grips with the uncertainties shaping global travel. Thailand's highly-anticipated domestic tourism program, the "Travel Thailand Half-Half" scheme, has been pushed back to July 1. A surge in demand caused the system to crash during the initial rollout this week, prompting the government to delay public registration until July 1. The scheme, designed to boost domestic tourism during the off-season, is launching at a time when Thailand is scaling back its broader ambitions for international tourism in 2025. The government now expects to generate THB 2 trillion ($60 billion) from foreign tourists next year, down from an earlier target of THB 2.3 trillion ($69 billion). What the Scheme Offers? The Half-Half campaign targets domestic travelers and offers 500,000 entitlements. Each eligible Thai citizen can register for up to five rooms or five nights per person, with at least two nights in secondary cities. Only Thai nationals aged 18 and up can register starting July 1. ID verification is required through the Thai ID system. Travel benefits can be used from July 4 to October 31. Once the accommodation has been booked, it cannot be canceled, but the check-in date can be postponed. 'The postponement of the stay must be in accordance with the conditions set by the project,' the notice reads. For weekday stays, the government will cover 50% of room costs, up to THB 3,000 ($92) per room per night. On weekends and holidays, the support drops to 40%, not exceeding THB 3,000. Every registrant also receives a THB 500 ($15) digital coupon per night, per room to spend at listed restaurants, attractions, or shops. Why the Government Is Betting on Domestic Travel The Half-Half scheme is part of a wider THB 115 billion ($3.5 billion) stimulus plan approved by the Thai Cabinet, of which THB 10 billion ($307 million) has been set aside for tourism. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) receives THB 1.76 billion ($54 million) from this budget to run the Half-Half initiative. TAT estimates the program will bring in 2.67 million domestic trips and generate over THB 35 billion ($1 billion) in spending. It's also expected to support about 40,000 jobs between July and October. To help the tourism sector get back on its feet following the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2020 Thailand launched the "Rao Tiew Duay Kan" (We Travel Together) scheme. Through this, the government offered Thai citizens discounts of up to 40% on hotels, domestic flights, and meals at participating businesses. On June 24, people rushed to sign up for travel benefits through the website and the Amazing Thailand app. The volume was more than the system could handle. It also led to a trending hashtag on social media, as many voiced frustration over the lack of clarity and planning. Confusion stemmed from a statement by Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong, who indicated that public registration would begin on the evening of June 24. In response, the Deputy Government Spokesperson Anukool Pruksanusak clarified that only business registrations had opened and would continue till June 30. Public registration, he said, would start on July 1 at 8:00 AM. Successful applicants will be able to utilize their travel benefits from July 4 to October 31. TAT confirmed that a wide range of businesses are eligible to participate, including restaurants, souvenir shops, One Tambon One Product outlets, tourist attractions, spas, car and boat rentals, and accommodations. Thailand's Tourism Prospects Behind this local effort is a more cautious view of Thailand's global tourism prospects. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong acknowledged that changing global dynamics are forcing the country to reassess its outlook. Thailand's earlier tourism target of 39 million foreign arrivals has also now been adjusted downward to 35.5 million visitors. While Thailand still hopes to reach THB 3.5 trillion ($105 billion) in total tourism revenue in 2025 which is a mix of domestic and international earnings, the government has now been told to focus squarely on ensuring that at least THB 2 trillion comes from foreign visitors. 'Anything beyond that would be a bonus,' Thienthong said. The revised target comes amid regional security concerns, softening demand, and slower-than-expected returns from key markets, most notably China. Chinese tourists once made up the largest share of visitors to Thailand. But their return has been slower and patchier than hoped. From January 1 to June 8, Thailand recorded more than 15 million international arrivals, according to government data. Yet that total is nearly 3% below the same period last year.
Al Jazeera
11-06-2025
- Al Jazeera
Body of Thai captive killed in Gaza returned home
NewsFeed Body of Thai captive killed in Gaza returned home The body of Thai farmworker Nattapong Pinta, who was kidnapped by Hamas from Israel on Oct. 7 and later killed in captivity, was returned to Thailand. He was one of 31 Thai farmworkers taken to Gaza. At least 45 Thai nationals have died in the conflict.
Malay Mail
14-05-2025
- Malay Mail
PGA detains four for illegal border crossing in Kelantan, boatman escapes; two test positive for meth
KOTA BHARU, May 14 — The 18th Battalion Senoi Praaq unit of the General Operations Force (PGA) detained four people believed to have entered Malaysia illegally through the Tok Awang Belulang illegal jetty during Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan last Monday. PGA Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said in the 3.15 pm operation, PGA personnel conducting patrols detected the group, but the boatman fled upon realising the presence of the authorities, leaving his passengers at the riverbank. 'One of the suspects is a 30-year-old local man, while the other three, including two women, are Thai nationals in their 20s believed to have entered the country without valid documents,' he said in a statement today. He said the four were brought to the Pasir Mas District Police Headquarters (IPD) for further investigation. Nik Ros Azhan added that initial urine tests showed the two male suspects tested positive for methamphetamine. — Bernama
Malay Mail
06-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Three shot dead in police raid on 4x4 theft syndicate hideout in Kedah
KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 — Police shot dead three men believed to be part of a four-wheel drive vehicle theft syndicate during a raid at a homestay in Taman Sejahtera, Sik, last Thursday. According to Sinar Harian, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the 2.30am raid followed intelligence on a syndicate stealing vehicles in Melaka, Selangor, Pahang, and Perak for cross-border smuggling. He said the three suspects, aged between 35 and 37, responded aggressively by firing shots at police and attacking with a machete. Police returned fire in self-defence, resulting in all suspects suffering fatal injuries at the scene. A subsequent search uncovered two pistols, several bullet casings and a machete believed to have been used by the suspects. Mohd Shuhaily said all three men were from Negeri Sembilan and had prior criminal records involving vehicle theft and drug-related offences. During the raid, police also found a Honda CR-V reported stolen in Petaling Jaya in April. A search of the vehicle revealed 26 fake licence plates and various tools used for car theft. The syndicate, active since 2023, is believed to be responsible for 73 cases of 4x4 vehicle theft, chosen for their ease of smuggling through illegal border routes. Later that same day, a joint operation involving Malaysian and Thai authorities in Songkhla led to the arrest of four Thai nationals believed to be vehicle couriers, while efforts continue to locate the syndicate leader and remaining members.
