Thailand, India explore Chiang Mai flights, stronger transport links
The proposal was
discussed during a meeting between Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and
Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn and Indian Ambassador Puneet
Agrawal, where both sides reviewed opportunities to expand air services,
shipping connections and regional transport cooperation.
A direct air link between
Chiang Mai and India is among the routes under consideration. Thai authorities
said the service would improve travel convenience for Indian visitors while
helping spread tourism beyond Bangkok to northern Thailand.
Thailand welcomed more
than 1.05 million Indian tourists between January and May this year, an
increase of nearly 8 percent from the same period in 2025, highlighting the
continued growth of the Indian market.
The two countries also
discussed enhancing maritime trade by making greater use of existing agreements
linking Thailand’s Ranong Port with the Indian ports of Chennai, Visakhapatnam
and Kolkata. The initiative aims to improve cargo movement and logistics
between Thailand and South Asia.
Progress on the proposed
India–Myanmar–Thailand Motor Vehicle Agreement was also reviewed as part of
efforts to improve regional road connectivity.
