Bangkok, 26 October 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) welcomed Belavia Belarusian Airlines’ inaugural non-stop flight from Minsk to Bangkok, marking the airline’s first scheduled service to Thailand following its earlier charter operations. The new weekly route to Suvarnabhumi Airport will be joined by twice-weekly Minsk–Phuket flights from 29 October, establishing regular direct connections from Belarus to two of Thailand’s leading destinations.
The inaugural flight B2 799 arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 17.05 Hrs., where passengers and crew were presented with commemorative souvenirs by a delegation led by Ms. Suladda Sarutilavan, Executive Director Europe Region, together with TAT executives, representatives of the airline, plus airport and tourism partners.
Ms. Suladda said, “Belavia Belarusian Airlines’ move from charter flights to scheduled services creates valuable new opportunities for Thailand in the Belarusian market. With direct flights to Bangkok and Phuket, travellers can easily combine the country’s coastal attractions with cultural, wellness and nature-based experiences. Eastern Europe remains a priority market for new long-haul opportunities under TAT’s 2027 Rebalance Market Portfolio strategy, and these routes provide a strong foundation for attracting visitors who favour longer stays and varied experiences.”
Belavia Belarusian Airlines operates the Minsk–Bangkok service every Sunday using an Airbus A330-200 with 281 seats, comprising 18 Business Class and 263 Economy Class seats. Flight B2 799 departs Minsk at 03.10 hrs and arrives in Bangkok at 17.05 hrs, with the return flight departing Bangkok at 19.05 hrs and arriving in Minsk at 01.50 hrs the next day.
Apart from direct flight to Bangkok, from 29 October, Belavia Belarusian Airlines will also launch twice-weekly scheduled Minsk–Phuket flights using the same aircraft type, adding approximately 2,248 inbound seats per month. The scheduled services follow the airline’s earlier charter operations to U-Tapao Rayong–Pattaya International Airport and Phuket International Airport, introduced in January 2026 and subsequently suspended during the off-season.
Belarusian passport holders are eligible for Thailand’s Visa on Arrival (VOA), permitting stays of up to 15 days. This leads to their average stay in Thailand to 15 days, nearly twice the eight-day average for overseas travel generally. Belarusian visitors generally plan winter holidays around 140 days in advance, with tour packages playing an increasingly important role. Peak travel periods are December–January, May and September–October, while preferred destinations include Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya, with growing interest in beach holidays, wellness, sports and soft adventure activities.
Belarus is an emerging long-haul source market for Thailand. In 2025, arrivals reached 32,179, an increase of 56.48 percent over 2024. From 1 January to 24 October 2026, Thailand welcomed 23,769 Belarusian visitors, up 1.25 percent year on year, with full-year arrivals projected at 30,000–35,000.
