SCAT Airlines Strengthens Kazakhstan-Thailand Relations With Groundbreaking Direct Service From Shymkent To Bangkok Set To Boost Regional Travel And Economic Growth

Published on December 17, 2025

SCAT Airlines has launched a groundbreaking direct flight between Shymkent and Bangkok, marking a significant step in enhancing air connectivity and fostering stronger ties between Kazakhstan and Thailand. This new route, which operates twice a week, will boost tourism, business, and cultural exchanges, while also strengthening Kazakhstan’s position as a key transport hub in Central Asia and Thailand’s role as a central hub in Southeast Asia. By linking Shymkent, a major cultural and industrial center in southern Kazakhstan, with Bangkok, one of the world’s most visited cities, the new service opens up a wealth of opportunities for both nations.

SCAT Airlines has launched a new direct flight between Shymkent and Bangkok, strengthening air connectivity and fostering deeper ties between Kazakhstan and Thailand. The new service marks a significant milestone in improving travel between the two countries and is expected to boost tourism, business, and cultural exchanges.

On December 16, the airline celebrated the inaugural flight of this route, which is now the 23rd weekly direct flight between Kazakhstan and Thailand, setting a new record. The introduction of this new link reflects the increasing collaboration between the two nations in areas such as tourism, trade, and investment. This direct connection between Shymkent, Kazakhstan’s third-largest city, and Bangkok, one of the world’s most visited cities, is a pivotal development in the expansion of air travel between Central Asia and Southeast Asia.

Operating twice a week, this new route not only enhances travel options but also opens up opportunities for logistics, air cargo, and investment cooperation. It solidifies Kazakhstan’s position as a key transport hub, bridging East and West, while boosting Thailand’s role as a central hub in Southeast Asia. By linking Shymkent and Bangkok, SCAT Airlines makes it easier for passengers to travel between these two dynamic regions, driving growth in both tourism and business sectors.

Shymkent is an important industrial and cultural center in southern Kazakhstan. Its connection with Bangkok provides new opportunities for visitors to explore both cities, fostering greater tourism flow. SCAT Airlines’ decision to launch the new route highlights the importance of enhancing air links to stimulate economic development in both countries. The airline plans to further expand the route network, strengthening regional connectivity and opening up new opportunities for collaboration between Kazakhstan and Thailand.

The addition of the Shymkent-Bangkok route is part of SCAT Airlines’ broader expansion strategy. The airline plans to turn Shymkent into a regional aviation hub, extending its network to several key regions, including Europe, Russia, the South Caucasus, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, the Asia-Pacific region, and the Middle East. SCAT aims to grow its fleet from 2027 to 2030 and increase the frequency of its Bangkok flights to four per week by the end of 2026. The airline also recently opened a new passenger terminal in Shymkent, signaling its commitment to improving infrastructure and expanding capacity for both domestic and international flights.

SCAT Airlines is not only focusing on this new route to Bangkok but also increasing its network across various regions. In 2025, the airline added new destinations, including Budapest, Krasnoyarsk, Munich, Prague, and Tbilisi, and has plans to extend its reach to Austria, Azerbaijan, India, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Russia, and the Czech Republic in the near future. This growth strategy underscores SCAT’s commitment to expanding its footprint and providing travelers with more options for international travel.

Thailand, known as the Land of Smiles, will benefit from this new route by attracting more Kazakhstani tourists, thanks to the ease of travel between the two countries. Over 170,000 Kazakhstani nationals visited Thailand in 2024, and this number is expected to grow in 2025, especially with the visa-free travel agreement between the two nations. The new route will also encourage Thai travelers to visit Kazakhstan, learn about its rich culture, and experience its unique tourism offerings. The exchange of people, culture, and ideas is expected to foster stronger bilateral relations between the two countries.

Aviation plays a critical role in connecting nations and building relationships, and the Shymkent-Bangkok route will facilitate mutual learning and understanding between Kazakhstan and Thailand. The enhanced connectivity is expected to contribute to the cultural, educational, and economic development of both countries. Tourism will flourish, creating more opportunities for businesses and local communities in both nations. As more travelers take advantage of this new route, it will open up further avenues for collaboration and growth in various sectors.

SCAT Airlines, one of Kazakhstan’s oldest carriers, has a wealth of experience in the aviation industry. With a fleet of 36 aircraft and terminals in Shymkent and Taraz, the airline is well-positioned to expand its operations further. As the airline continues to grow, its commitment to improving air travel connectivity will help both Kazakhstan and Thailand establish even stronger bonds in the years to come.

SCAT Airlines has launched a new direct flight between Shymkent and Bangkok, enhancing air connectivity and fostering stronger tourism, business, and cultural ties between Kazakhstan and Thailand. This new route will expand travel options and open up new opportunities for collaboration between the two nations.

Currently, 23 weekly flights are operated between Kazakhstan and Thailand, with SCAT Airlines, Air Astana, and Thai AirAsia X contributing to this robust air connection. The launch of the Shymkent-Bangkok route further solidifies the strong air links between the two nations and strengthens the foundation for future growth in tourism, business, and cultural exchanges.