The Tourism Authority of Thailand (Mumbai Office), in collaboration with the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), hosted the Amazing Thailand ATTA Roadshow 2026 in Bengaluru. The event was held on August 21, 2026, at Taj MG Road, Bengaluru, bringing together Thailand’s tourism stakeholders and Indian travel trade partners.
Vathanchal Chatrirath, Vice President, Association of Thai Travel Agents, spoke in an exclusive interview about Thailand’s growing appeal among Indian travellers, strengthening trade partnerships, emerging tourism opportunities, MICE and destination weddings, and efforts to deepen India-Thailand travel connections.
Thailand has been strengthening its engagement with the Indian travel trade through roadshows across key cities. Could you tell us more about the initiative, its objectives and how it has evolved over the past few years?
This roadshow has been organised for the last four years, with different Indian cities being covered each year. The primary objective is to bring tourism partners from Thailand—including DMCs, tour operators, hotels and attractions—together with local tour operators and travel partners in India. These interactions are extremely important because they help strengthen business relationships, create new partnerships and give Indian travel professionals a better understanding of the experiences and products available in Thailand. Ultimately, the aim is to generate more business between the two markets and increase the number of Indian travellers visiting Thailand.
Beyond Thailand’s well-known leisure destinations, which products and experiences are you looking to highlight among Indian travellers in the coming year?
We are particularly looking to promote MICE and incentive travel, as well as destination weddings. Thailand is one of the strongest destinations in Asia for these segments because it offers excellent infrastructure, hotels, venues and a wide variety of experiences. Destinations such as Hua Hin, Krabi, Phuket and Khao Lak are particularly attractive. Many properties are located along the beach and offer beautiful settings for weddings, corporate events, incentive programmes and other celebrations. Groups can combine business events with activities, entertainment, wellness and leisure experiences, creating a complete destination experience.
Connectivity has always been one of Thailand’s biggest strengths in the Indian market. How has air connectivity evolved, and how is this helping you tap into new Indian markets?
Connectivity has improved considerably. We now have more than 30 direct flights a day from India, connecting Thailand with several Indian cities. Importantly, connectivity is not limited to Tier I cities. Travellers from Tier II and Tier III markets are also finding it easier to travel directly to Thailand. This has made the destination much more accessible and is helping us expand our reach across India.
How has the Indian market performed so far this year, and what kind of growth are you expecting by the end of 2026?
Last year, Thailand welcomed around 2.2 million Indian visitors. This year, until August, we have received approximately 1.7 million Indian travellers. We are expecting the number to reach at least 2.7 million by the end of the year. The Indian market has been growing consistently since 2023, and we are very optimistic about its potential. More importantly, Indian travellers are not only increasing in numbers but are also becoming higher-value travellers, with their spending power increasing significantly.
There has been some uncertainty around Thailand’s visa-free entry policy for Indian travellers. Could you clarify the current situation and explain how important visa facilitation is for the Indian market?
Visa-free entry for Indian travellers has not been removed. There was some discussion about whether the policy would continue, but the final decision was to retain visa-free entry. The permitted period of stay has been reduced from 60 days to 30 days. However, this should not significantly affect Indian tourists because most Indian travellers typically spend around 10 days in Thailand, while longer holidays may extend to 15 days. Therefore, 30 days is more than sufficient for the majority of Indian visitors, and retaining visa-free entry remains a major advantage for the destination.
Indian traveller behaviour has changed considerably after the pandemic, particularly among younger travellers. What shifts are you witnessing in the profile and preferences of Indian visitors to Thailand?
We are seeing a significant increase in younger Indian travellers. After COVID-19, the mindset of many Indian consumers changed. Young Indians are increasingly prioritising experiences over material possessions. They want to travel, explore destinations, experience nightlife, participate in activities and invest in wellness and personal experiences. Thailand is well suited to this new traveller because it offers a combination of beaches, adventure, nightlife, wellness, entertainment, shopping and cultural experiences. We are seeing more young Indians choosing to spend on themselves and create memorable experiences, and Thailand is benefiting from this shift.
How important are repeat travellers for Thailand, and how are you encouraging visitors who have already experienced the traditional attractions to explore something new?
Repeat visitors are vital to Thailand. Tourism is one of the country’s biggest industries, and we have traditionally received repeat travellers from markets around the world. For Indian travellers, we want to encourage those who have already visited Thailand to return and explore different destinations and experiences. This is also why we are promoting a wider range of experiences, including wellness, MICE, weddings, adventure and other experiential products.
Looking ahead to 2027, what are your expectations for Thailand’s tourism industry, particularly in terms of the Indian market?
Tourism will continue to remain one of the most important industries for Thailand. We expect international tourism to remain strong, while individual source markets may experience fluctuations. The number of Indian visitors has increased every year since 2023, and the growth is not only in arrivals. The spending power of Indian travellers is also increasing significantly. This makes India an increasingly valuable market for Thailand. Going forward, we want to further strengthen our relationship with the Indian travel trade and focus on high-potential segments such as MICE, incentive travel, destination weddings and experience-led leisure travel. We believe Thailand has the right products, connectivity and infrastructure to welcome even more Indian travellers in the years ahead.