Two Thai-registered airlines will give a further boost to Thai arrivals in Taiwan, an emerging destination among Thai travellers.
With the debut of Bangkok-Taipei flights by Thai Lion Air (TLA) and Bangkok-Kaohsiung service by THAI Smile, Thai arrivals to the island republic may set the pace for Southeast Asia next year.
Thai visitors to Taiwan so far this year number 200,000 and are likely to reach 380,000 by year-end, up from nearly 200,000 last year.
"Thailand is expected to become our largest source market in Asean next year to overtake Malaysia," said Tony Wu, director for the Asean region at the Taiwan Tourism Bureau.
Malaysia led Asean arrivals to Taiwan with 500,000 last year, followed by Singapore with 430,000, according to Mr Wu.
The fast-growing number of Thai visitors to Taiwan has been primarily driven by a visa-waiver programme for Thais that began in August 2016.
Speaking in Bangkok, Mr Wu voiced confidence that the Taiwanese government would continue to renew the visa waiver, now being given on a yearly basis, and eventually make it a permanent policy.
Low-cost carrier TLA is the latest airline to link Bangkok with Taipei, joining five others already plying the route.
TLA is to launch regular daily flights on Oct 20 using the Boeing 737-800 and 737-900ER series.
THAI Smile, the regional airline wholly owned by Thai Airways International, yesterday confirmed the introduction of daily service between Bangkok and Kaohsiung, starting Oct 1.
TLA chief executive Aswin Yangkirativorn said its low fares to Taipei, starting from 2,955 baht one-way all inclusive, will let it achieve a high load factor.
Bangkok-Taiwan is already served by EVA Air, China Airlines, THAI, THAI Smile and NokScoot.