Hua hin: Reviving direct flights between Hua Hin and Kuala Lumpur will elevate Hua Hin to a world-class tourist destination and boost the regional economy. Ms. Lalida Periswiwatana, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the government is moving forward with policies to upgrade transportation and tourism infrastructure in order to enhance the potential of tourist cities and stimulate the regional economy. The Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with the Department of Airports, Thai AirAsia, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, is integrating efforts to prepare for the resumption of the Hua Hin-Kuala Lumpur international flight route, with plans to expand to other international routes in the future.
According to Thai News Agency, the Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office stated that Mr. Patarapong Pataraprasit, Deputy Minister of Transport, has been continuously monitoring the progress of upgrading Hua Hin Airport since visiting the site on May 28, 2026. The aim is to expedite the resolution of technical limitations on the runway to meet the safety standards of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, enabling full operation of international flights and enhancing air travel connectivity in line with the government's economic stimulus policy.
Ms. Lalida stated that on July 3rd, the Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, participated in the 'Market Insights and Customer Insights Workshop' in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan province. Over 100 tourism and service operators from the area attended to exchange information and determine the direction for Hua Hin's tourism development. This included presenting the readiness of Hua Hin Airport, analyzing the potential of tourism products and services, and studying the needs of international tourists, in order to develop tourism products and activities that better meet market demands.
The Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister added that, prior to the COVID-19 situation, Hua Hin Airport had previously operated direct flights on the Hua Hin-Kuala Lumpur route, which received a very positive response, with over 1,000 flights and accommodating more than 130,000 passengers. Therefore, studying the feasibility of reopening this route is considered a significant step in connecting international travel, increasing the number of foreign tourists, generating income for local businesses, and paving the way for opening new flight routes in the future.
'The government aims to elevate Hua Hin to a world-class tourist destination through the development of transportation infrastructure, expansion of air travel networks, and integrated cooperation between the public and private sectors. This will create economic opportunities, distribute income to the region, and enhance Thailand's competitiveness as a global tourist destination,' Ms. Lalida said.