The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is delighted to announce the arrival of SCAT Airlines’ first direct charter flight from Almaty to Surat Thani, which landed early this morning at Surat Thani International Airport. The aircraft was welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute as it approached the gate.
This inaugural service was celebrated with a reception led by Thai tourism officials, including TAT Deputy Governor for Domestic Market, Miss Somradee Chitchong.
Notable among the passengers was H.E. Mr. Chatchawan Sakornsin, the Thai Ambassador to Kazakhstan, who flew in to commemorate the launch.
“SCAT Airlines’ new Almaty-Surat Thani flight will cater to the increasing numbers of travellers from Kazakhstan, while presenting more options for visitors from the CIS and Russia,” Mrs. Chiravadee Khunsub, TAT Executive Director for Europe Region, said.
“As well as exploring the jungle-clad inland hideaways of Surat Thani and the famous islands of Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao in the Gulf of Thailand, beach goers can maximise the trip with visits to the Andaman coastline including the scenic beach resorts of Krabi and Phang-Nga.”
SCAT Airlines, based out of Shymkent International Airport in Kazakhstan, has planned a total of 13 flights on this route from May to September, utilizing their 220-seat Boeing 737-Max aircraft.
This new connection was established through a strategic collaboration between the TAT and Selfie Travel, a prominent tour operator based in Shymkent, Kazakhstan. Selfie Travel is extending its services to Surat Thani, leveraging the airport’s facilities and Thailand’s distinct appeal as a summer destination for tourists from Kazakhstan, the CIS, and Russia.
Mrs. Chiravadee added “TAT is leveraging SCAT Airlines’ Almaty- Surat Thani route by promoting Thailand as a year-round destination, while reiterating the visa exemption for Kazakhstani tourists as well as the upcoming Thailand-Kazakhstan mutual visa-free policy.”
Under the current visa waiver program, set to expire on August 31, 2024, tourists from Kazakhstan are permitted to visit Thailand for no more than 30 days for tourism purposes.
The reciprocal visa-free policy between Thailand and Kazakhstan will take effect 30 days after both countries finalize their respective legal procedures, following the agreement signed on April 23, 2024.
Upon implementation, citizens of both nations holding passports valid for at least six months will be able to enter, leave, transit through, and stay temporarily in the other’s territory for up to 30 days per entry, not exceeding 90 days within a six-month period.
Kazakhstan represents one of Thailand’s rapidly expanding tourist markets and is the second largest in the Commonwealth of Independent States, trailing only Russia. From January 1 to May 16, 2024, Thailand welcomed approximately 99,572 Kazakhstani visitors. The total number of visitors for the year is projected to reach 220,000, marking a significant increase from last year’s 172,282 arrivals, a 190% growth from the previous year.
The post TAT Rejoices as SCAT Airlines’ First Direct Flight From Almaty to Surat Thani Arrives with Ceremonial Water Cannon Salute appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
