TransNusa's Bali–Phuket flight, launched on 9 September 2026 at four a week, is due to go daily from 3 October. It is the second new Indonesian route into Thailand in two months, after the airline's twice-daily Jakarta–Bangkok service from 6 August. This briefing, from a Thailand DMC for travel agents, sets out where the Indonesian market stands in 2026, what the new flights change and how to build a programme for an Indonesian client.
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The numbers, and what is holding them back
Thailand received 787,524 Indonesian visitors in 2025, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand has set a 2026 target of 890,000. The year is running behind that pace: 429,778 Indonesian arrivals were recorded from 1 January to 7 September 2026, as reported by Nation Thailand.
The reason given is the currency. The rupiah has weakened by more than 7 per cent against the baht, and Indonesian arrivals fell 23.2 per cent in the first seven months of the year. For an agent that means a price-sensitive client in 2026: the same programme costs an Indonesian traveller noticeably more than it did a year ago, so value and clear inclusions matter more than usual.
TAT's own profile of the market helps with the rest. Indonesian visitors stayed an average of six nights; 84.70 per cent travelled independently rather than on a group tour, and 52.86 per cent were repeat visitors. The five leading destinations were Bangkok, Songkhla, Chon Buri, Phuket and Krabi.
What the new flights change
Jakarta–Bangkok, twice daily. TransNusa began flying Jakarta to Suvarnabhumi on 6 August 2026, two days after TAT signed memoranda of understanding with the airline and with the travel platform Traveloka in Jakarta, during the Prime Minister's official visit to Indonesia. Our ASEAN short-haul routes briefing covers that launch.
Bali–Phuket, nonstop. The Bali service is the more useful one for leisure business. Flight 8B541 leaves Denpasar at 11.30 and reaches Phuket at 14.35 on an Airbus A320, and the first flight arrived full, with 174 passengers. It started on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and is scheduled to become daily from 3 October. Confirm the operating days for your client's dates with the airline before you fix the ground arrangements.
What differs about an Indonesian file
- Short and repeat. Six nights is the norm, and half the market has been before. A first-timer's Bangkok-and-beach circuit suits fewer of these clients than a single region done properly, or a second-visit programme built around something new.
- Muslim-friendly by default. Many Indonesian travellers will want halal meals and time for prayer. Our Muslim-friendly Thailand briefing sets out where that is easy and where to brief the client, and your Thailand DMC can build meal stops and prayer breaks into each day.
- The south as well as Bangkok. Songkhla is the market's second destination, and much of that travel overlaps with the Malaysian border market. Our Malaysia market briefing covers the same corridor.
- Food, culture and spa. Thai food, historical sites, community-based experiences, spa treatments and beach activities top the market's stated interests, so a programme that fits all five into six nights is the natural shape.
How to build the programme
Start from the arrival airport. A Jakarta client lands at Suvarnabhumi; a Bali client lands in Phuket and can stay on the Andaman coast without touching Bangkok. Our Phuket and Bangkok guides cover the areas and hotel styles at each end, and the Songkhla guide covers the south.
Keep the arithmetic visible. With the rupiah weaker, a clear quote with every transfer and meal stated beats a lower headline price with extras. Ask your Thailand DMC to quote the full programme on one file, including our Thailand DMC transport team for airport meetings and road transfers.
Check the entry rules. Indonesian passport holders can stay up to 30 days for tourism without a visa under the rules in force since 15 September 2026. Confirm the current rules for each client's passport before booking.
For the other short-haul markets, see our source markets page, and for the full range of ground services, our Thailand DMC services.
Frequently asked questions
How many Indonesian visitors does Thailand receive?
787,524 in 2025. For 2026 TAT has set a target of 890,000, and 429,778 Indonesian arrivals were recorded from 1 January to 7 September.
Is there a direct flight from Bali to Phuket?
Yes. TransNusa has flown Bali to Phuket nonstop since 9 September 2026, at first four times a week, and the service is scheduled to become daily from 3 October. Confirm the operating days for the client's dates.
How long do Indonesian visitors stay in Thailand?
An average of six nights, according to TAT. Most travel independently and about half are repeat visitors, so plan a focused programme rather than a long circuit.
Why are Indonesian arrivals down in 2026?
The main reason reported is the exchange rate: the rupiah has weakened by more than 7 per cent against the baht, and arrivals fell 23.2 per cent in the first seven months of the year.
Do Indonesian clients need a visa for Thailand?
Not for a normal holiday. Indonesian passport holders can stay up to 30 days for tourism without a visa. Check the current rules for each client before booking.
