Thai Airways, Thai Vietjet Air to boost Malaysia–Thailand connectivity, new Bangkok–KL route planned

Tiong engages with Thai Airways and Thai Vietjet Air to enhance Malaysia–Thailand flight connectivity and explore new route development. Photo credit: Facebook/Dato Seri Tiong King Sing

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, April 12: Efforts to strengthen air connectivity between Malaysia and Thailand are set to gain momentum, with a new direct route between Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur expected to be launched in August this year.

Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the proposed route, to be operated by Thai Vietjet Air, will connect Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport directly to Kuala Lumpur, with flight frequency to be increased progressively based on market demand.

“There is also potential for expansion to up to two flights daily in the future,” he said in a Facebook post following his working visit to Bangkok, where he met separately with representatives from Thai Airways and Thai Vietjet Air.

Tiong noted that the introduction of the new route is expected to further enhance direct connectivity between the two countries while offering more flexible travel options for passengers.

Citing data from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), he said Thailand remains a key tourism market in the region, generating between 10 and 20 million tourists annually. However, Malaysia still has significant room to capture a larger share of this market.

“At present, there are about 300 weekly flights between Malaysia and Thailand, offering more than 56,000 seats. Despite this, there remains considerable potential for further expansion based on overall demand,” he said.

On route development, Tiong proposed that collaboration should not be limited to Kuala Lumpur as the sole entry point, but gradually expanded to include Sabah and Sarawak to create a multi-gateway concept.

He also suggested strengthening direct connectivity between northern Thai cities such as Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai with Malaysia, noting their strong cultural, religious, and natural tourism appeal.

“Improved air links to these destinations can help stimulate broader two-way tourist flows,” he added.

Meanwhile, Thai Airways indicated that demand for the Bangkok–Kuala Lumpur route remains stable, with healthy load factors reflecting a strong market foundation. As a full-service carrier, it is well positioned to cater to premium travellers, business passengers, and long-haul transit markets.

On the promotional front, both sides agreed to align route planning with marketing strategies. Tourism Malaysia will enhance cooperation with airlines and travel agencies through joint promotions and tourism product development to strengthen market demand.

Tiong emphasised that air routes are not merely transport links but also a critical foundation for facilitating the movement of people, capital, and tourism spending.

“Through continuous collaboration with regional aviation industry players, Malaysia will further strengthen its role as a hub within the Southeast Asian aviation network, while driving more sustainable growth in bilateral tourism,” he said. — DayakDaily