Bangkok, 4 September 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) welcomed the inaugural Riyadh Air service from Riyadh to Bangkok on 3 September, strengthening access from a key high-value long-haul market and supporting TAT’s efforts to grow quality travel demand from Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East. Launch activities continued that evening with the “TAT x Riyadh Air – A New Era of Travel Gala Dinner 2026” in Bangkok.
The flight was welcomed at Suvarnabhumi Airport by Mr. Phattrapong Phattraprasit, Deputy Minister of Transport; Mr. Pasakorn Rangsiwatanasak, Secretary to the Minister and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports; Mrs. Chiravadee Khunsub, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa; Mr. Kittipong Kittikachorn, General Manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport, Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited; and Mr. Tony Douglas, Chief Executive Officer of Riyadh Air.
The inaugural flight departed King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh at 22.15 Hrs. on 2 September and arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 10.35 Hrs. on 3 September. H.E. Mr. Abdulrahman Abdulaziz Alsuhaibani, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Thailand, travelled on the inaugural service, reflecting closer tourism and transport cooperation between the two countries.
Mrs. Chiravadee Khunsub, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa, said, “The Riyadh–Bangkok service adds direct capacity at an important time for TAT’s development of Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East. It gives travellers more convenient access to Bangkok and destinations across Thailand while helping TAT and our partners reach high-value family, luxury, wellness and medical segments more effectively. Stronger direct connectivity is central to converting market potential into sustained visitor growth and wider tourism benefits.”
The Riyadh–Bangkok service is Riyadh Air’s 14th route and is operated by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft with 290 seats. The airline initially operates three flights per week, departing Riyadh every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and Bangkok every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, before increasing to seven weekly flights in October 2026. At the initial frequency, the route adds approximately 3,840 inbound seats per month to Thailand while supporting broader tourism, trade, investment and economic links between the two countries.
Later on 3 September, Riyadh Air hosted the “TAT x Riyadh Air – A New Era of Travel Gala Dinner 2026” at The Athenee Hotel, Bangkok, extending the inaugural flight celebrations and reinforcing tourism cooperation between Thailand and Saudi Arabia. H.E. Mr. Abdulrahman Abdulaziz Alsuhaibani opened the event, with Mr. Tony Douglas and Mrs. Chiravadee Khunsub joining the programme and welcoming tourism industry participants.
The Middle East is a strategically important long-haul market for Thailand, with strong spending potential and July to September a key outbound travel period. Travellers seek destinations offering nature, leisure, wellness, family experiences and established visitor services, areas where Thailand is well positioned through its diverse tourism offering, health and wellness sector and Muslim-friendly facilities.
Saudi Arabia is among the region’s highest-potential markets. Visitors typically stay around 10–12 days and spend approximately 110,000 Baht per person per trip, with strong interest in shopping, beaches, nature, Thai cuisine, medical services and wellness. Family travel is particularly significant, while demand is increasingly extending beyond Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya to Krabi, Phang-nga, Ko Samui and Chiang Mai.
Thailand has recorded 121,907 arrivals from Saudi Arabia in 2026 to date, compared with 142,774 during the corresponding period in 2025, a decrease of 14.62%. TAT is working to rebuild momentum through stronger air connectivity, including the new Riyadh Air service, alongside Muslim-friendly products and services such as halal dining and visitor facilities, and targeted marketing through digital platforms and online travel agencies.
