BANGKOK, Thailand – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) held a welcoming ceremony at Chiang Mai International Airport to celebrate Cebu Pacific’s inaugural direct flight from Manila to Chiang Mai, 1 November. More than 100 passengers were greeted with traditional flower garlands and commemorative gifts, marking the start of this new travel route.
The event to welcome the inaugural flight 5J874 on 30 October was attended by senior executives and representatives from TAT, alongside key stakeholders from public and private sector tourism organisations.
Ms. Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and the South Pacific, said: “This new direct service between Manila and Chiang Mai by Cebu Pacific not only strengthens the bond between the Philippines and Thailand but also offers Filipino travellers enhanced access to northern Thailand’s distinctive cultural and natural attractions. Chiang Mai is set to become a favourite destination for Filipino tourists seeking new experiences beyond the well-known cities of Bangkok and Phuket.”
Cebu Pacific now offers the most direct flights between the Philippines and Thailand, operating from Manila, Clark, Cebu, and Davao to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.
Flight details include:
– Manila to Chiang Mai: 3 flights per week (Mon/Wed/Fri) – Airbus A320
– Manila to Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi): 7 flights per week – Airbus A321/A330/A320
– Clark to Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi): 7 flights per week – Airbus A320
– Cebu to Bangkok (Don Mueang): 3 flights per week – Airbus A321
– Davao to Bangkok (Don Mueang): 3 flights per week – Airbus A321
To celebrate the launch of the new Manila to Chiang Mai route, Cebu Pacific is offering special promotional fares. In addition, it is collaborating with the TAT Singapore office to organise a media familiarisation trip for journalists and influencers from Manila. This initiative will allow them to explore Chiang Mai and its surrounding attractions, with coverage aimed at encouraging more Filipino tourists to visit northern Thailand.
According to data from Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Philippines remains a key tourism market for Thailand, with popular destinations including Bangkok, Pattaya (Chon Buri), Ayutthaya, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.
In 2023, Thailand welcomed 461,251 Filipino visitors, and between January and September 2024, over 420,812 Filipino tourists have already visited, representing a 26% increase from the previous year.
This growth reflects the increasing appeal of Thailand as a holiday destination for Filipino travellers, who rank it among their top five preferred international travel spots, alongside Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. (TAT)
