India and Thailand Strengthen Tourism Ties as Guwahati-Bangkok Travel Shows Steady Growth and Resilience - Travel And Tour World (2025)

Friday, April 25, 2025

India and Thailand are deepening their tourism partnership as the Guwahati–Bangkok travel corridor defies disruption and showcases exceptional resilience. Despite a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Bangkok in March 2025, flight bookings from Guwahati have remained steady, reflecting unwavering traveller confidence and robust crisis communication from Thai authorities. With no decline in passenger demand, especially ahead of the summer season, this sustained momentum highlights the strength of bilateral tourism ties and underscores how Northeast India is emerging as a vital gateway for international travel to Southeast Asia.

In a world still grappling with the aftershocks of a global pandemic and regional disruptions, the tourism corridor between Guwahati and Bangkok has emerged as a shining example of resilience, consistency, and cross-border cooperation. Despite a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Bangkok on March 28, 2025—causing widespread damage and temporary panic—traveller interest and air traffic between the two cities have remained remarkably stable.

Officials at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA) in Guwahati confirmed that no significant decline in travel bookings has been recorded since the incident. “It is the same as before. There’s no change,” an LGBIA official told Business North East, emphasizing that air traffic remains consistent and largely unaffected by the natural calamity. As summer approaches—a peak period for holiday travel—the Guwahati-Bangkok route continues to attract Indian travellers in strong numbers, reinforcing the deepening tourism ties between Northeast India and Thailand.

Bangkok Earthquake Sparks Concerns—but Not Cancellations

The earthquake that struck Bangkok late in March was both destructive and emotionally jarring. Reports from Thai media revealed significant structural damage, including the collapse of a high-rise under construction, which was widely circulated via social media and international news. Casualties were reported, and the event initially caused concern among potential travellers, especially families and solo tourists considering Bangkok as a destination.

However, those concerns have not translated into travel cancellations. According to LGBIA sources, demand for flights to Bangkok from Guwahati has not dipped. Instead, traveller confidence appears bolstered by clear communication from Thai tourism authorities and the rapid restoration of public infrastructure in Bangkok. Tourism stakeholders on both sides moved swiftly to reassure visitors that all major tourist zones remained unaffected and that travel services were operating normally.

This rapid response, combined with Thailand’s long-standing reputation for efficient crisis management, played a key role in calming nerves and preserving demand.

Guwahati: Gateway to International Travel for Northeast India

Guwahati has steadily grown into a vital hub for international travel originating from India’s northeastern states. Known for its strategic location and economic emergence, the city is often dubbed the “Gateway to Northeast India.” In recent years, the city has expanded its global connectivity through enhanced airport facilities and airline partnerships.

Among its most sought-after international destinations is Bangkok—a city that effortlessly combines rich cultural experiences, world-class cuisine, vibrant street markets, and renowned medical tourism services. The route from Guwahati to Bangkok caters to a diverse demographic of travellers, including:

• Leisure tourists seeking exotic vacations,
• Medical tourists accessing high-quality, affordable healthcare,
• Shoppers indulging in everything from luxury malls to night bazaars,
• And even wellness enthusiasts exploring spa and detox retreats in Thailand’s quieter provinces.

This growing variety of travel motivations has turned Guwahati-Bangkok into a high-demand corridor—one that reflects both aspirational travel trends and accessible international mobility for India’s northeastern populace.

Flight Connectivity: Choices That Suit Every Traveller

Flights between Guwahati and Bangkok typically cover an aerial distance of approximately 1,649 kilometers. While the journey time varies between 10 to 15 hours depending on route and layovers, direct options have significantly improved the travel experience. Thai AirAsia currently operates direct services on this route, cutting down overall travel time and offering budget-friendly fares.

For those preferring other scheduling options or airlines, IndiGo and Air India Express provide connecting services through cities like Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad. Altogether, there are about 35 weekly flights between Guwahati and Bangkok, serviced by at least eight different carriers. This broad availability guarantees flexible travel times, competitive ticket prices, and increased accessibility for all types of travellers.

Airfare Dynamics: Budget Travel Without Sacrifices

One of the strongest reasons for the enduring appeal of the Guwahati-Bangkok route is affordability. With airfare for one-way journeys starting as low as ₹10,784 (approximately USD 130), the route is considered one of the best-value international options for Indian travellers. Round-trip fares often come with bundled offers, seasonal discounts, and promotions targeting group travellers or families.

According to travel agents operating in Assam and nearby states, savvy travellers can further reduce costs by:

• Booking at least 30–45 days in advance,
• Flying mid-week rather than weekends,
• Choosing shoulder seasons (March–April and September–October) to avoid peak pricing.

The low-cost accessibility of this route has made international vacations more achievable for middle-income families, young couples, and even first-time passport holders from India’s Northeast.

Tourism Infrastructure in Bangkok: Open and Fully Operational

Thailand’s Tourism Authority acted swiftly following the earthquake, issuing public advisories assuring international travellers that operations remained uninterrupted across the country’s major tourism zones. Despite the damage to certain residential and commercial structures in Bangkok, none of the primary tourist sites—including the Grand Palace, Chatuchak Market, or the Chao Phraya Riverfront—were affected.

Hotels, transportation systems, and hospitality services are operating as usual. As a result, Indian tourists arriving in Bangkok can expect business-as-usual experiences—from luxury stays to street food trails.

Medical tourism, a key sector driving India-Thailand travel, also remains unaffected. Hospitals in Bangkok continue to serve international patients with their usual standards of care, attracting a steady stream of Indian visitors seeking treatments in areas such as orthopedics, fertility, dental care, and cosmetic procedures.

Regional Impact: A Win for Northeast India

The success of the Guwahati-Bangkok route goes beyond just travel. It signifies the growing role of Northeast India in shaping the country’s international engagement strategy. Tourism experts and regional policymakers have noted that strong outbound travel from this region enhances economic activity, boosts employment in the travel sector, and encourages infrastructure investment.

Furthermore, Thailand has acknowledged the strategic importance of this growing travel link between the two nations. The Thai consulate has supported outreach efforts in Northeast India, promoting Bangkok not just as a tourist destination but as a cultural and commercial ally.

Such diplomatic and economic synergy has helped turn what was once a niche route into a powerful conduit of people-to-people exchange, fostering cultural ties and business opportunities.

Resilience as a Model for Future Growth

The Guwahati-Bangkok corridor is also a model of tourism resilience. With the memory of COVID-19 disruptions still fresh, tourism boards and airline operators now place immense value on routes that can weather unexpected shocks—be they health-related, environmental, or geopolitical.

In this context, the stable performance of this route after the Bangkok earthquake stands as a testament to:

• Effective crisis communication by Thai authorities,
• Strong infrastructure readiness in both Guwahati and Bangkok,
• And the unwavering curiosity and confidence of Indian travellers.

True tourism resilience goes beyond mere recovery—it lies in sustaining traveler confidence, ensuring consistent service, and responding swiftly to challenges. The Guwahati–Bangkok route exemplifies all these qualities.

Future Opportunities: What Lies Ahead

Looking ahead, the tourism relationship between India and Thailand still holds vast untapped potential. Emerging opportunities for cooperation and enhanced services are set to shape the next phase of growth in the coming years.

• Increased Direct Flights: Thai and Indian carriers are in talks to expand direct routes between more cities in Northeast India and Thai destinations beyond Bangkok, such as Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Krabi.
• Travel Bubbles and Visa Ease: Discussions about easing visa rules for Indian travellers, including potential visa waivers or e-visa expansions, are underway—measures that could significantly boost footfall from emerging Indian cities.
• Cultural Exchange Programs: Universities, art councils, and cultural ministries are exploring deeper bilateral programs to encourage student exchange, culinary workshops, music festivals, and craft exhibitions between the two countries.
• Medical and Wellness Tie-Ins: Thailand’s advanced wellness and rehabilitation centers are developing Indian-specific packages combining Ayurveda, detox, Thai massage, and yoga, aimed at long-stay travellers from India’s metro and Tier 2 cities.

These potential upgrades will further solidify Guwahati’s reputation as Northeast India’s international travel hub while deepening India–Thailand bilateral engagement through tourism.

India and Thailand are reinforcing their tourism partnership as the Guwahati–Bangkok route remains stable and in demand, even after Bangkok’s recent earthquake, proving the strength and resilience of cross-border travel ties.

A Route Forged in Strength

India and Thailand continue to strengthen their people-to-people ties, with the Guwahati-Bangkok air corridor standing at the heart of this dynamic relationship. In the wake of the March 2025 earthquake, what could have become a reason for retreat has instead emerged as proof of resilience, trust, and shared determination to keep travel flowing and cultures connected.

As air travel returns to pre-pandemic rhythms and tourism takes on a new shape—grounded in sustainability, wellness, and cultural engagement—the steady momentum of the Guwahati-Bangkok route showcases how thoughtful partnerships can weather any storm.