Thailand deepens Indonesia travel links with TransNusa and Traveloka partnerships
New agreements signed in Jakarta target stronger Jakarta-Bangkok and Bali-Phuket air routes and wider digital promotion for Indonesian travellers.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) signed two separate Memorandums of Understanding in Jakarta on 4 August 2026, one with the Indonesia-based carrier TransNusa Airlines and one with the Southeast Asian travel platform Traveloka. The ceremony took place at Fairmont Jakarta and was witnessed by Thailand's Prime Minister, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, and Mr. Hashim Djojohadikusumo, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and Energy and Chairman of the Advisory Board at KADIN Indonesia.
The agreements were signed by Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor; Datuk Bernard Francis, Aviation Group Chief Executive Officer of TransNusa Airlines; and Mr. Albert, Co-founder of Traveloka. Their shared aim is straightforward: expand air access, sharpen digital marketing, and bring more Indonesian visitors to destinations across Thailand, while supporting closer cooperation within ASEAN.
"Indonesia is an important ASEAN market for Thailand, supported by close cultural ties, convenient travel and growing demand for diverse tourism experiences," Ms. Thapanee said. She linked the deals to TAT's Partnership 360 strategy, which combines air access, digital reach and market insight, and to the global "Healing is the New Luxury" campaign that points travellers toward both established and emerging destinations.
The TransNusa agreement focuses on tourism promotion, travel product development and stronger air links between the two countries. Activities will run through tourism fairs, promotional campaigns, digital content, workshops and familiarisation trips, tied to the "Feel All the Feelings - Visit Thailand, Feel Every Emotion" campaign. Two routes are singled out for attention: Jakarta to Bangkok, and Bali to Phuket.
The Traveloka partnership takes a digital path. It will use the platform's reach, distribution and market intelligence to promote destinations and experiences across Thailand, and it will help communicate tourism policies, entry requirements and safety measures to travellers, with data privacy and security safeguards in place. The work also supports TAT's Sustainable Tourism Goals by raising awareness of responsible travel.
The numbers give the deals context. Between 1 January and 31 July 2026, Thailand welcomed 376,337 Indonesian visitors, who stayed an average of six nights. Their leading interests included Thai cuisine, historical sites, community-based tourism, wellness experiences and beaches. TAT has set a target of 890,000 Indonesian visitors for the full year.
For a traveller planning a trip, the practical effect is more choice and clearer information before departure. Easier flights on the Bali-Phuket link, along with promotion through a familiar booking platform, make it simpler to reach the islands and to arrive already knowing which entry rules and local guidance apply. Much of that planning now happens on a phone, well before the flight lands.
Ground transport is part of the same picture. Once visitors reach Phuket, Bangkok or the islands, many want a scooter, a motorbike or a car to explore at their own pace. This is where Balm Rentals fits in. It is a single marketplace where travellers can compare legal, verified rental providers, see the price, deposit and conditions before they pay, and read everything in their own language through an iOS or Android app. The service is built to add convenience alongside local rental operators and the wider industry's digital efforts, not to replace them.
As air links and digital tools between Thailand and Indonesia move closer together, arranging that last step of the journey in advance becomes easier. For Indonesian travellers heading to Phuket or Bangkok, that can mean less to sort out on arrival and more time to enjoy the trip.