Thailand emerges as top overseas destination for long weekend vacay
Times of India | 25 January 2026
Bangkok/Kolkata: With more direct international flights than to several domestic sectors, Thailand has emerged as the most preferred overseas destination for travellers from Kolkata during the five-day Republic Day weekend. Tourism surveys show that many opted for quick, visa-hassle-free international trips over domestic holidays.
A MakeMyTrip survey found that between Jan 22 and 26, Thailand topped the list of international destinations for flyers from Kolkata, followed by the UAE, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore. Bangkok and Phuket also featured among the top five cities travelled to from the city.
"The appetite for weekend travel remains strong, with the extended Republic Day weekend presenting an opportunity for travel. Internationally, the skew towards easy-visa destinations continues to gain traction. Countries with direct connectivity to multiple cities are leading demand, with Thailand at the forefront," said Rajesh Magow, co-founder and group CEO of MakeMyTrip.
Currently, six airlines operate 36 direct flights operate weekly between Kolkata and Bangkok. "Bangkok has always been a favoured sector for airlines. The Thai VietJet, which began operations on this route at the start of this year, offers international fares cheaper than several non-marquee domestic sectors," said Anil Punjabi, chairman of the Travel Agents Federation of India (East).
According to Thai tourism data for 2024-25, India is among the top three source markets for visitors to Thailand, after Malaysia and China. "Close to 25 lakh Indian tourists visited Thailand in 2025, driven by visa-free access, increased connectivity, and its popularity as a wedding and leisure destination. At least 30% of these visitors flew from Kolkata," said a senior Thai VietJet official. The airline operates four days a week from the city, with arrivals on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, and departures on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Visa-free entry for Indian passport holders removed a key barrier, encouraging spontaneous short breaks without paperwork or long processing timelines. Currency conversion also works in favour of Indian travellers, with the rupee-to-baht exchange rate remaining comfortable at around 1 baht for Rs 3, allowing tourists to stretch budgets across shopping, dining and local experiences.
Bangkok's broad appeal — from luxury shopping at ICONSIAM to affordable night markets and floating bazaars — continues to draw visitors. Among its most photographed landmarks is Wat Arun, or the Temple of Dawn, located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. "The short ferry ride adds to the charm. As you approach Wat Arun, the view is breathtaking," said Som Bun, a tour guide. The Grand Palace, home to the Emerald Buddha, remains another major attraction.
Evenings often revolve around Chao Phraya River dinner cruises, offering Thai cuisine against the backdrop of lit up temples and bridges. "Sailing past the city lights while dining gives a completely different perspective of Bangkok," said Supriyo Mukherjee from Uttarpara, who is currently holidaying there.
On the outskirts, an open animal safari park offers a drive-through experience where animals roam freely. "Seeing giraffes and lions so close, without cages, felt unreal. It's thrilling yet family-friendly," said Rohan Mehta, who visited earlier this year. As night falls, Khaosan Road comes alive with music, street food and late-night parties. "We were there from 1 am to 3.30 am, and people were still dancing on the streets," said city-based radio jockey Kaushik Bhattacharya.