FETTA Proposes 14-Billion-Baht Relief Package to Protect Thailand Tourism

A Bold Proposal to Shield Tourism

The Federation of Thai Tourism Associations (FETTA) has formally proposed a comprehensive 14-billion-baht relief package to the Thai government. The proposal aims to protect the country's tourism industry from the mounting challenges posed by global oil price volatility and rising fuel costs throughout 2026.

Thailand's tourism sector is worth approximately 2.7 trillion baht, accounting for around 13% of national GDP and supporting roughly 4 million jobs. With geopolitical tensions continuing to drive uncertainty in global energy markets, FETTA argues that decisive government intervention is needed to keep the industry competitive. The wider impact of the Middle East conflict on Thailand's flight prices and airfare has already been documented, and FETTA's proposal is a direct response to those pressures. Thailand's tourism growth target for 2026 hangs in the balance if fuel costs are not addressed.

What the Package Includes

The proposed relief package contains several key components:

Aviation Support (1 Billion Baht) A dedicated budget covering approximately 1,000 flights per quarter over three quarters, providing 350,000 baht per flight in operational support. This aims to prevent airlines from passing volatile fuel costs directly on to travelers through higher ticket prices. Thai carriers have already warned that a fuel surge could undermine the tourism boom, and Thai Airways has already announced a 10–15% fare hike to cover rising costs. A separate proposal to cut jet fuel excise tax is running in parallel.

"One Million Bus Trips Across Thailand" Campaign (10 Billion Baht) The flagship component of the proposal would fund cross-regional bus tourism itineraries visiting local communities. Groups of 20 or more travelers on 3-day, 2-night trips would receive a subsidy of 10,000 baht per bus, with a target of reaching 1 million participants. This directly supports Thailand's domestic tourism push that the TAT has been promoting throughout 2026.

Joint Operations Centre FETTA has also proposed establishing a monitoring centre involving the government, private sector, and academics to integrate data and track the situation in real time. A similar TAT crisis monitoring centre was established in March 2026 to handle the broader energy and geopolitical fallout.

Airlines Already Taking Action

Alongside the FETTA proposal, the Airlines Association of Thailand (AAT) has been pushing for a temporary reduction in the excise tax on jet fuel for domestic flights. Major carriers including Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, and Nok Air have collaborated on a special airfare scheme for the upcoming Songkran festival, aiming to add extra flights and reduce maximum ticket prices by up to 30%. A full breakdown of Songkran 2026 airline discount flights is available for travelers planning their trip. Over 1,000 flights were reportedly at risk of cancellation due to the Gulf crisis, as detailed in the Aerothai cancellations report.

What This Means for Travelers

If approved, the relief package could help keep Thailand travel affordable despite global fuel price pressures. The Songkran airfare discounts are already confirmed, making April 2026 a potentially excellent time for budget-conscious travelers to explore the country. For visitors planning trips later in 2026, the broader relief measures could translate into more competitive pricing across domestic flights and tour packages. Travelers worried about rising costs in Thailand due to the Middle East crisis should keep an eye on how these proposals develop.

In the meantime, foreign hotel investment continues to pour in — 12 billion baht in hotel deals in 2026 signals that long-term confidence in Thai tourism remains strong. And for a broader look at Thailand's economic tourism ambitions, the government's 3-trillion-baht Amazing 5 economy target remains a driving force behind both policy and investment decisions. Those planning a trip can also check the best time to visit Thailand and get a sense of how much two weeks in Thailand costs in 2026.