BANGKOK, Thailand – The Thai government is moving forward with plans to revive the direct international flight route between Hua Hin and Kuala Lumpur as part of efforts to upgrade transport infrastructure and strengthen the country’s tourism sector. Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Pertwiwattana said the initiative is part of a broader policy to enhance Thailand’s tourism cities and stimulate regional economic growth through improved air connectivity. She said the Ministry of Transport, Department of Airports, Thai AirAsia, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) are working together to prepare for the reinstatement of the route, with further plans to expand additional international connections in the future.
Deputy Transport Minister Pattarapong Pattaraprasit has been closely monitoring the upgrading of Hua Hin Airport, following an on-site inspection on May 28. Authorities are currently addressing technical runway limitations to meet Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) safety standards, in preparation for full international operations. On July 3, the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports also participated in a “Market Insights and Customer Insights Workshop” in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan province, attended by more than 100 tourism and service operators. The workshop focused on assessing tourism potential, airport readiness, product development, and foreign visitor demand in order to better align local offerings with international markets.
Officials noted that before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hua Hin–Kuala Lumpur route operated successfully, recording over 1,000 flights and serving approximately 130,000 passengers. The government said the revival of the route represents a key step in reconnecting Hua Hin with international markets and increasing tourist arrivals. “The government aims to elevate Hua Hin into a high-quality international tourism city through transport infrastructure development, expanded air connectivity, and stronger public-private collaboration,” Lalida said. She added that the initiative will help distribute income to local businesses and enhance Thailand’s competitiveness as a global tourism destination. (TNA)
