BANGKOK - Thailand is likely to delay its proposed 4 billion baht domestic travel subsidy until the 2027 low season.

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said on Sept. 16 that officials were leaning toward starting Thai Tiew Thai Plus around April 2027 rather than during the year-end and early-2027 high season. He said subsidising travel when demand was already strong could reduce the programme’s additional economic impact.

The latest working plan retains a proposed budget framework of about 4 billion baht for one million entitlements. Accommodation support would be 1,500 baht per night for up to five nights.

Digital tourism vouchers would operate on a 50:50 co-payment basis, with government support of up to 1,500 baht per day in major destinations and 2,000 baht per day in secondary destinations. The scheme has not received final Cabinet approval, so its operating dates and conditions remain subject to change.

The revised timing under consideration marks a significant shift from the government’s earlier plan. In an outline published on Sept. 14, Surasak had proposed accommodation support of up to 2,000 baht and travel periods from November through February, with a break over the New Year peak. Cabinet consideration had then been expected on Sept. 22.

Surasak said the proposal no longer needed to be rushed to Cabinet during September. Officials intend to consult tourism businesses again and settle the programme’s start and end dates before seeking formal approval.

The rethink comes as Thailand continues to contend with weaker international tourism figures.

Bloomberg reporting carried by The Business Times said the country received 21.7 million foreign visitors through Sept. 12, down 3.4% year on year, while international visitor spending fell 1.9% to 1.06 trillion baht. Domestic trips by Thai travellers were up 2%.

Further consultation with tourism businesses will determine the programme’s final timing. “Once the exact start and end dates are settled, it will be submitted to Cabinet for approval and formally launched,” Matichon quoted Surasak as saying in Thai.