The Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce and seven airlines, has launched a program allowing passengers to check in up to 10 kilograms of fruit for free, with free boxes available at 20 airports nationwide from 1 Sep 2026 to 31 Aug 2027, aiming to help distribute agricultural produce.
Mr. Patrapong Patraprasit, Deputy Minister of Transport, said the Ministry of Transport prioritizes developing infrastructure and transport systems as key mechanisms to drive the country's economy. The focus is on connecting travel and transport systems to be efficient, fast, and accessible to support government and ministry policies under the leadership of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn. This aims to enhance citizens’ quality of life and increase the country’s competitiveness, especially supporting the agriculture sector, a vital economic sector involving many people.
Mr. Patrapong stated, “Thai fruit is an economically valuable product with potential both domestically and internationally. However, when large volumes of fruit enter the market simultaneously, farmers often face concentrated supply, falling prices, and transport limitations. Efficient logistics management to deliver produce to consumers faster can reduce losses, preserve product quality, and increase market opportunities for farmers.”
The Deputy Minister of Transport added that this initiative integrates cooperation between the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Commerce by utilizing the nationwide airport network and air transport system as a mechanism to quickly distribute agricultural products from production areas to destinations. The Department of Airports under the Ministry of Transport is tasked to support and facilitate fruit transport through airports and coordinate with airlines and the private sector to expand distribution channels.
The Ministry of Transport, through the Department of Airports, together with the Department of Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and aviation partners, has launched a 2026 fruit management support measure to create a special fast track for fresh fruit transport via the airport network and airlines nationwide. The key goal is to expedite distribution during peak seasons with high output, reduce oversupply and price drops, and provide more options for farmers and consumers to spread produce to different regions.
Mr. Danai Ruangsorn, Director-General of the Department of Airports, explained that the fruit management support measure will run from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027. The Department of Airports has prepared free fruit packing boxes for the public and tourists at information points in 20 affiliated airports, namely:
Krabi, Udon Thani, Surat Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Phitsanulok, Sakon Nakhon, Nan, Nakhon Phanom, Roi Et, Lampang, Loei, Narathiwat, Buriram, Mae Sot, Ranong, Chumphon, and Hua Hin.
Seven airlines participating in supporting free fruit check-in under the plane, allowing up to 10 kilograms per passenger, include:
Thai Airways
Bangkok Airways
Nok Air
Thai AirAsia
Thai Lion Air
Thai VietJet Air
Easy Air
This project advancement resulted from a cooperation meeting supporting fruit distribution via airports and airlines chaired by Ms. Banjongjit Angsusingh, Advisor to the Minister of Commerce. The meeting included agency executives, Mr. Narong Arunpakmongkol, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Airports, and other relevant parties. They discussed and coordinated cooperation among government agencies, the private sector, airports, and airlines to effectively implement this measure at the Ministry of Commerce Secretariat Office's Kittiyakornworalak Room.
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