Bangkok, 9 October 2026 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) today welcomes Thai Vietjet Air’s inaugural flight VZ681 from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, marking the launch of the airline’s first direct Malaysia route. The new daily service adds travel choice for Malaysian visitors and supports continued demand from one of Thailand’s leading international markets.
TAT is holding a welcome reception for arriving passengers at Suvarnabhumi Airport, led by Mr. Kittipong Prapattong, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing, Asia and South Pacific, along with TAT executives and representatives from public and private sector partners. Among arriving passengers is Mr. Pinyot Pibulsonggram, Vice President of Commercial and Customer, Thai Vietjet Air.
Mr. Kittipong said, “Malaysia is a major market for Thailand, with air and land access both playing important roles in supporting travel between our two countries. This new daily Kuala Lumpur–Bangkok service gives Malaysian travellers another convenient option, particularly for independent travellers, families, younger visitors and repeat travellers seeking short-haul holidays. Together with our established land gateways in southern Thailand, expanded air connectivity enables visitors to choose journeys that suit different travel patterns and explore more destinations across the country.”
Flight VZ681 operates daily from Kuala Lumpur at 15.15 Hrs., arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 16.30 Hrs. The return flight VZ680 departs Bangkok at 11.00 Hrs. and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 14.10 Hrs. Both services are operated by Boeing 737-8 aircraft with 189 seats. The inaugural Kuala Lumpur–Bangkok flight recorded 171 booked seats, representing a 90 per cent load factor on each sector.
The route supports demand among Malaysian travellers visiting Thailand for holidays, family trips, shopping, health and wellness, culture and local experiences. The market is characterised by a high proportion of independent and repeat visitors, with Bangkok and southern destinations among the principal areas of interest.
Malaysia recorded 3,006,730 arrivals to Thailand from 1 January to 7 October 2026. Malaysian travel patterns reflect the proximity and strong connectivity between the two countries, with visitors entering Thailand by air and land. Key destinations include Songkhla, Bangkok, Narathiwat, Yala, Phuket, Krabi and Satun, while opportunities extend to destinations including Phang-nga, Surat Thani, Chiang Rai, Rayong and Kanchanaburi.
TAT’s Kuala Lumpur Office continues to work with airlines, travel agents, tourism operators, media and other partners in Malaysia to convert travel interest into bookings, encourage repeat visits and introduce visitors to a wider range of Thai destinations and experiences.
Building on the new service, TAT and Thai Vietjet Air will organise an Agent Fam Trip from 12–16 October for representatives of 12 leading Malaysian travel companies. The Bangkok–Ayutthaya–Nakhon Pathom–Samut Songkhram programme will introduce participants to tourism products and experiences for development into Malaysian travel programmes, while providing updated first-hand destination information for the market.
