Thai Airways has flown its inaugural commercial passenger flight from Brussels Airport to Bangkok since the Covid-19 pandemic. It was an occasion marked by a traditional water salute and a ceremony attended by the Belgian Prime Minister and a number of officials.
Direct non-stop route capital to capital
Operated aboard Boeing 787-8 aircraft, the flight’s duration puts just 11 hours between the two cities. The resumption of daily flights on Sunday, 1 December, means Thai and Asian visitors can now fly directly to the European capital and home of the EU. Likewise, flyers from Belgium now have a non-stop route direct from home to the Thai capital, where onward Asian connections await.
Happy to have you back @ThaiAirways 💜 As of today, the airline resumes daily direct flights between #Bangkok & #brusselsairport. This connection strengthens our intercontinental network & our role as gateway for tourism, business & cultural exchange. Read more:… pic.twitter.com/EcA56TUzdf
— Brussels Airport (@BrusselsAirport) December 1, 2024
That direct route for European tourists is a vital part of Thailand’s current tourism strategy. Thailand’s Ambassador to Belgium, and Ambassador-Designate to the EU H.E. Kanchana Patarachoke, told Travel Tomorrow earlier this year that the country “looks to Europe for high-quality tourists”, adding it’s “not the number that counts, it’s how much they spend (…) Tourists from Europe especially look for experiences and to spend more days, they want to live with the local communities and learn from them, not just go and shop.”
New visa pilot launching too
Timing-wise, the relaunch coincides with a pilot visa scheme intended to enhance Thailand’s ability to track foreign entries, demanding that Belgian nationals and those of 92 other previously visa-exempt countries, entering Thailand by land, air or sea, now apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to do so. The process is free and is valid for one entry, for one stay of up to 60 days, which can be extended by another 30 days. Visitors in possession of a valid ETA will benefit from faster immigration clearance, using QR codes at security gates.
Hailing the new Brussels to Bangkok flight and alluding to Thailand’s efforts to attract 39 million tourists in 2024 and bring in 3.5 trillion baht (€94 billion) in tourism revenue Chai Eamsiri, CEO of Thai Airways International, said the “resumption of this route highlights Thai Airways’ commitment to strengthening relations between Belgium and Thailand. It opens new opportunities in tourism, trade, culture, and investment, deepening the bond between our nations.”
Meanwhile Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport, said he was “delighted to welcome Thai Airways International back to Brussels Airport. This connection is a significant addition to the airport’s intercontinental network, serving as a major destination for both tourism and business travel. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration.”
