The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has praised the recent launch of new direct flights from Bangkok to three key Japanese cities: Sendai, Hokkaido, and Osaka. These routes are anticipated to boost short-haul travel options into Thailand and stimulate increased tourist activity from Japan, a critical market for Thailand.

TAT’s deputy governor for international marketing in Asia, Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, stated:

“These new connections from Sendai, Hokkaido and Osaka reflect the strong confidence of our airline partners in Thailand’s tourism prospects. Expanded air access is essential to sustaining travel flows from Japan, and TAT will continue working with carriers to support sustainable growth. With rising interest among younger Japanese travellers, Thailand is well placed to deliver high-quality experiences that resonate with today’s evolving travel preferences.”
Translation: These new connections enhance confidence in Thailand’s tourism; we will support growth as interest from younger Japanese travelers grows.

On December 1, Thai AirAsia X launched a four-times-weekly service from Sendai, coinciding with the arrival of over 100 youth football players for training in Thailand. This aligns with TAT’s initiative, termed Enjoy Training in Thailand, to attract sports training groups.

Meanwhile, Thai Lion Air inaugurated a three-times-weekly service from Hokkaido on the same day and a further route from Osaka starting December 2.

Japan is a vital source of tourism for Thailand, steadily contributing to revenue and travel throughout the year. As of the end of November, Thailand welcomed 985,612 Japanese tourists, marking a 4.16% increase compared to the previous year, with travelers typically spending around 39,000 Baht and staying about 6 days on average.

As Thailand aims to exceed one million Japanese visitors by year-end 2025, strengthening air connections remains paramount.