Thailand is setting the stage for a massive domestic travel revival starting July 1, 2025, with the launch of a government-backed hotel subsidy campaign offering up to ฿3,000 per night. The initiative, named “Tiew Thai Kon La Krueng” (เที่ยวไทยคนละครึ่ง – “Travel Thailand, Half-Half”), is designed to stimulate local economies, increase hotel occupancy, and support thousands of tourism-dependent businesses still recovering from economic headwinds.
Spearheaded by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and supported by Krungthai Bank, the campaign offers deep discounts and spending credits to Thai nationals who choose to travel within their own country. With over 34,000 tourism-related businesses registered and 500,000 travel entitlements available, the campaign promises to bring renewed energy to both popular tourist destinations and lesser-known provincial towns.
Massive Industry Participation
As of 30 June 2025, a remarkable 34,005 tourism businesses — including hotels, homestays, restaurants, spas, and artisans — have registered through the official government portal partner.tat.or.th, signaling widespread industry buy-in.
Roughly 6,400 businesses have already passed the necessary verification checks, with thousands more under review. These assessments, managed in partnership with Krungthai Bank, ensure that only legitimate and qualified participants are included — providing confidence to both consumers and industry stakeholders.
“This campaign represents a nationwide effort to not only reignite travel but to rebuild trust and quality across Thailand’s tourism sector,” said a TAT spokesperson.
What Travelers Can Expect
The program officially opens for bookings on 1 July 2025 at 8:00 AM, with the first eligible travel dates beginning 4 July. Participants must register using the Amazing Thailand mobile app or through the official website, and verify their identity using the government’s ThaID application, which includes biometric authentication.
Here’s how the benefits break down:
| Benefit Category | Weekday (Mon–Fri) | Weekend & Holidays |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation Grant | 50% subsidy (up to ฿3,000/night) | 40% subsidy (up to ฿3,000/night) |
| Local Spending Credit | ฿500 voucher per booking | ฿500 voucher per booking |
Participants must be Thai nationals aged 18 or older with a valid 13-digit national ID issued by the Ministry of Interior. After registration and payment, benefits become active three days later, with all travel and usage required by the final check-out date of 31 October 2025.
More Than Just Hotels
What makes this campaign particularly powerful is its broad impact across multiple sectors. Beyond hotels and resorts, eligible participants include:
Local eateries and cafes
OTOP (One Tambon One Product) craftspeople and artisans
Transportation providers
Wellness centers and spas
This multi-sector involvement is expected to generate a ripple effect across the entire domestic tourism chain, helping not just big-city operators, but small businesses in rural and secondary cities often overlooked in traditional travel campaigns.
A Model for Inclusive Tourism?
While international arrivals remain a key focus for Thailand’s long-term tourism strategy, the “Tiew Thai Kon La Krueng” campaign highlights the power of domestic travel as a stabilizing force.
Experts note that the tiered structure — with greater weekday support to distribute traffic away from weekends — reflects a more sustainable, experience-focused tourism model. By incentivizing off-peak travel and highlighting secondary cities, the program is also expected to reduce pressure on Thailand’s most crowded destinations, such as Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Bangkok.
The Road Ahead
As the country looks ahead to the final quarter of 2025, many in the industry are watching closely to see how the public responds. Early signs are promising. Within hours of the announcement, social media lit up with Thais sharing travel plans, budget hotel finds, and dream destinations they’d previously put on hold.
“Tiew Thai Kon La Krueng is not just about subsidies,” said a Bangkok hotelier. “It’s about reigniting our collective love for this country — from the mountains of Nan to the islands of Trang.”
If the momentum holds, Thailand’s campaign may become a blueprint for other countries seeking to stimulate domestic travel through smart, inclusive, and digitally enabled programs.
