Thailand teams with LOT to woo high-spending Europeans, betting Warsaw–Bangkok links can lift arrivals even as short-haul markets soften.
Why Poland and Why Now?
Thailand’s tourism chiefs are taking a very intentional swing at Europe, and Poland is first up to bat. Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool met with LOT Polish Airlines leadership in mid-August to explore launching nonstop Warsaw–Bangkok flights, with Phuket and Krabi on the wish list next. The pitch is simple: use LOT as a Central Europe gateway and funnel higher-spending travelers straight into Thailand’s biggest hubs. The meeting even had diplomatic tailwinds, with Thailand’s ambassador in the room to underline the ties.
Poland’s Rise in Thailand’s Visitor Mix
Polish demand has been one of the quiet success stories in 2024 and 2025. Last year, 180,772 visitors from Poland traveled to Thailand, up 49 percent year over year, and momentum continued into 2025 with 142,912 Polish arrivals recorded by mid-September, roughly 30 percent higher than the same stretch in 2024. Those are standout gains while other markets wobble, which is exactly why Thailand is rolling out the welcome mat in Warsaw.
Spending Power That Moves the Needle
Follow the money and the strategy makes sense. European visitors tend to spend more per trip than short-haul travelers, and Thai reports peg Polish holidaymakers at about ฿61,425 over a typical three-week stay, which works out to roughly ฿3,150 per day. For a destination focused on yield, that is the kind of spend that lights up spreadsheets.
Thailand is wisely looking for high quality customers who travel in LOT business class. Higher spenders will bring greater economic growth to the country that’s already inundated with other major carriers from the European Union. This is a new revenue opportunity for both Thailand and for LOT which can also act as a bridge between not only EU passengers but those from its North American gateways as their remains no direct flights between the US and Thailand, nor Toronto with just Vancouver being the sole destination on the continent.
LOT Polish Airlines business class passengers have mixed reviews about both the service and hard product for long haul flights. Service includes premium meals, desserts and cheeses, an amenity kit, and a lounge to utilize upon arrival at the airport.
The Economic Backdrop Helps
Poland’s economy is in decent form, with the European Commission projecting 3.3 percent growth in 2025. On income, Poland’s 2024 GDP per capita sits near 25,023 dollars, compared with Thailand’s roughly 7,345 dollars, a gap that mirrors the premium Thailand sees from long-haul European trips. Stronger wallets often translate to longer stays and bigger tabs in resort areas from Phuket to Koh Samui.
Europe Up, Totals Down
Here is the tricky part. Overall foreign arrivals in 2025 have slipped, but Europe is one of the regions bucking the trend. Thailand logged a year-to-date drop of about 7 percent in foreign visitors through late September, even as European inflows stayed resilient. That divergence explains the pivot toward long-haul markets and why a LOT link to Bangkok would be more than a vanity route.
Why LOT Matters for Bangkok’s Hub Ambitions
A Warsaw–Bangkok non-stop would shave hours off itineraries for travelers from Poland and nearby countries, and it would complement a broader rebuild of Europe–Thailand lift. Thai carriers and rivals have restored or added services from Brussels, Copenhagen, London, Madrid, Oslo, Paris, Rome, and Stockholm, giving Bangkok and Phuket more seats heading into peak season. Add in Norse Atlantic’s winter flights from Oslo and Stockholm to Phuket and the access story looks even better.
Forward Bookings Point the Right Direction
The near-term pipeline looks healthy. Industry data cited by Thai officials shows forward bookings up about 21% for the late-summer period, with Europe set to rise roughly 17% in the October to December window. That is exactly when Central Europeans chase sun and pad nights at beach resorts, which makes a LOT-fed funnel through Bangkok even more valuable.
Conclusion
Thailand is steering into yield, not just volume, and Poland fits the brief. A LOT Polish Airlines non-stop unlocks faster access from Central Europe, dovetails with recovering European capacity, and targets travelers who reliably spend more once they land. With arrivals still down in aggregate, the mix matters. If Thailand keeps stacking smart airline partnerships with focused marketing in Europe, the strategy should carry through the high season and set up a stronger 2026 for Bangkok’s aviation and tourism ambitions.
