TAT Welcomes Belavia's First Minsk-Bangkok Flight
Tourism Authority of Thailand welcomes Belavia's inaugural scheduled flight from Belarus, with Phuket route launching October 29 to boost winter tourism.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Belavia launches its first scheduled direct flight service from Minsk to Bangkok.
- Twice-weekly Minsk-Phuket scheduled flights to commence on October 29, 2026.
- Belarusian passport holders are eligible for a 15-day Visa on Arrival in Thailand.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has extended a warm welcome to Belavia Belarusian Airlines for operating its inaugural non-stop flight from Minsk to Bangkok. Flight B2 799 marked the airline's first scheduled service to Thailand following previous charter operations, touching down at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 17.05 hrs on October 26, 2026, establishing a reliable direct air link between Belarus and key Thai destinations.
A delegation led by Ms. Suladda Sarutilavan, Executive Director of the Europe Region, along with TAT executives, airline representatives, and tourism partners, gathered at Suvarnabhumi Airport to present commemorative souvenirs to arriving passengers and crew. The service is operated using an Airbus A330-200 aircraft equipped with 281 seats, consisting of 18 Business Class and 263 Economy Class seats.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Ms. Suladda stated that Belavia's transition from charter operations to scheduled services creates valuable new opportunities for Thailand within the Belarusian market. With direct connections to both Bangkok and Phuket, visitors can easily combine coastal attractions with cultural, wellness, and nature-based experiences. Eastern Europe remains a key target market under TAT's 2027 Rebalance Market Portfolio strategy to attract long-stay visitors with diverse travel interests.
In addition to the weekly Bangkok service operating every Sunday, Belavia will introduce twice-weekly scheduled flights between Minsk and Phuket starting October 29, 2026. This expansion adds approximately 2,248 inbound seats per month, building on earlier charter flights operated to U-Tapao and Phuket airports in January 2026 before their seasonal suspension.
"With direct flights to Bangkok and Phuket, travellers can easily combine the country's coastal attractions with cultural, wellness and nature-based experiences."
Ms. Suladda Sarutilavan
Belarusian passport holders qualify for Thailand's Visa on Arrival scheme, permitting stays of up to 15 days. This policy supports an average stay of 15 days, nearly double the general eight-day average for international travelers. Visitors typically plan winter holidays around 140 days in advance, with peak travel periods spanning December to January, May, and September to October, focusing on beach holidays, wellness, and soft adventure activities.
Belavia's launch of scheduled flights highlights TAT's ongoing long-haul market diversification strategy, moving charter routes into dependable scheduled corridors. This shift secures stable seat capacity ahead of the winter season, aligning directly with Thailand's high-value tourism framework aimed at increasing average length of stay and spreading economic benefits across major destinations like Bangkok and Phuket.
As an emerging long-source market, Belarus recorded 32,179 arrivals in 2025, marking a 56.48 percent increase from 2024. Between January 1 and October 24, 2026, Thailand welcomed 23,769 Belarusian visitors, with full-year arrivals projected between 30,000 and 35,000.
Source: TAT Newsroom
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