Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recently welcomed the first flight of Air Arabia’s new direct route from Sharjah, UAE, to Krabi, Thailand. This new connection is expected to boost tourism from the Middle East to southern Thailand, especially during the upcoming holiday season. The flight, departing Sharjah on November 28, 2025, and arriving in Krabi the next day, will provide travelers from the Middle East and North Africa easier access to Thailand beyond the capital and popular destinations like Phuket.
With this new route, Air Arabia will offer approximately 5,220 extra seats per month. This expansion provides more opportunities for tourists to explore Thailand’s scenic beaches, cultural sites, and wellness destinations. Officials from TAT, including Sasithorn Kittidhrakul, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of the Interior, and Angkul Seelatewakul, Governor of Krabi Province, attended the welcome ceremony for the inaugural flight. The launch is part of TAT’s Airline Focus Strategy, which aims to attract high-spending and quality tourists from the Middle East who are interested in luxury, family, and wellness travel experiences.
The Middle Eastern tourism market has shown great potential for Thailand. Countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, have contributed to a growing number of international visitors. From January to November 2025, Thailand welcomed 728,340 tourists from the Middle East, who stayed an average of 10 days and spent around 100,000 baht per trip. With the new Sharjah-Krabi route, TAT expects the number of Middle Eastern visitors to rise to 850,000 by the end of the year.
This new service is not only a boost for tourism, but it will also positively impact Krabi’s local economy. Hotels, restaurants, spas, adventure and wellness tourism businesses will benefit from increased tourist arrivals. More visitors will create new jobs and encourage investment, supporting TAT’s “Value over Volume” strategy. This approach focuses on sustainable economic growth rather than merely increasing tourist numbers.
The new route also aligns with Thailand’s BCG economy (Bio-Circular-Green), emphasizing sustainable tourism development. By promoting environmentally and socially responsible tourism, Thailand continues to position itself as a premium global travel destination. The Sharjah-Krabi flight demonstrates confidence in Thailand’s tourism infrastructure, high service standards, and ability to support international visitors.
By connecting the Middle East directly to southern Thailand, this new route also strengthens the country’s position as a regional hub for quality tourism. It helps diversify the country’s tourism offerings and reinforces Thailand’s commitment to attracting high-value visitors from across the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe. The launch of this route is expected to enhance Thailand’s economy, promote local businesses, and support sustainable tourism practices that balance environmental, social, and economic needs.
Overall, the Air Arabia direct flight from Sharjah to Krabi is an important development in Thailand’s tourism sector. It provides greater convenience for travelers, supports the local economy, and positions Thailand as a key destination for luxury, wellness, and family tourism from the Middle East. TAT’s focus on attracting quality visitors ensures that the tourism sector continues to grow in a sustainable and responsible manner, benefiting both tourists and local communities.
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