The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) plans to use part of its emergency budget to support flights into Thailand in November and December, because foreign arrivals are running behind last year. The Bangkok Post reports that the support will use criteria like the earlier Thailand Summer Blast scheme, including a minimum load factor and a preference for new routes. Explera DMC Thailand explains what is confirmed and what agents planning a charter should ask.
Explera handles ground arrangements as a Thailand DMC for travel agents. Its Thai company, Explera DMC Co., Ltd., holds TAT licence 14/05119, the Tourism Business Licence issued by the Department of Tourism, and the group is IATA TIDS-registered (96215733) and a member of ASTA (900408341). Write to b2b@explera.co.th.
What has TAT announced?
According to the Bangkok Post, TAT will put part of its emergency budget into foreign markets for the last two months of 2026. For short-haul flights, support would follow criteria similar to Thailand Summer Blast, the scheme that subsidised charter and scheduled flights earlier this year: a minimum load factor, and extra weight for routes that are new. Long-haul flights are mostly scheduled well in advance, so for those TAT plans to count the seats still unsold and run joint promotions with the airlines.
Two things have not been reported: the size of the budget and the name of the scheme. Treat both as open until TAT publishes them.
Why is TAT doing this now?
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports counted about 25.46 million foreign arrivals from 1 January to 31 October 2026, 4.59% fewer than in the same period last year. The high season is when that gap has to close, so seats are the lever TAT can still pull. Our post on hoteliers forecasting below TAT's own base case covers the annual target; this post is about the flights.
What should agents planning a charter ask?
The support goes to airlines and charter operators, not to travel agencies, so the questions go to your operator. Ask whether it has applied, or will apply, and when it expects an answer. Ask what load factor it must reach and what happens to the series if bookings fall short. Ask whether the route counts as new and which dates the support covers, since rotations that run into January may not qualify. Earlier this year, more than 200 Chinese charter flights to Thailand were cancelled when fuel costs rose, even with Summer Blast support in place. Support can make a series cheaper to run; it does not guarantee it will fly.
Build your package price without the subsidy, and treat any support as the operator's margin until it is confirmed in writing. Share the operator's answers with your Thailand DMC before you commit to rotations.
What does a Thailand DMC need from you for a charter?
Send us the arrival airport, flight times and the planned group sizes for each rotation. A charter brings a whole aircraft at once, so transfers, guides and hotel check-in have to be planned for the full load, for example on a series into Phuket. Our transport team sizes coaches to each arrival, and the rest of what we do is on our Thailand DMC services page. If the series changes after TAT's decision, a Thailand DMC that already holds the plan can adjust it quickly.
Next steps
Send your charter dates, routes and group sizes through our contact page. The trade desk replies within 24 hours.
Sources
- Bangkok Post: TAT earmarks budget for year-end foreign markets
- The Star: Thailand's foreign tourist arrivals down 4.59% on year so far in 2026
- Asia News Network: Fuel costs forced cancellation of over 200 Chinese charter flights to Thailand
Frequently asked questions
How much has TAT set aside for year-end flight support?
The amount has not been reported. The Bangkok Post says TAT will use part of its emergency budget for the last two months of 2026. Wait for TAT to publish the figure and the terms.
Can a travel agency apply for the support?
No. Support of this kind goes to airlines and charter operators. An agency planning a charter should ask its operator whether it has applied and what conditions it must meet.
What criteria will TAT use?
The Bangkok Post reports criteria similar to Thailand Summer Blast, including a minimum load factor and consideration of whether a route is new. For long-haul flights, TAT plans joint promotions with airlines on unsold seats.
Should I lower my package price because of the subsidy?
Not until the support is confirmed in writing. Price the package without it, and treat any support the operator receives as a bonus rather than a basis for the quote.
