Thailand Joins Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines with New Christmas Options You Can’t Afford to Miss – Only on December 25th!

Published on December 9, 2025

Every year-end, Southeast Asian countries roll out initiatives to make holiday trips more affordable. Travelers planning to spend 25 December 2025 in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia or the Philippines can tap into a range of official promotions. These programmes combine government‑mandated discounts, state‑owned airline promotions and verified hotel deals to reduce the cost of flights, road tolls, ferries and accommodation. Below is an overview of each country’s verified deals and how they apply to Christmas Day 2025 travelers.

Indonesia – nationwide transport discounts and VAT relief

Indonesia’s government has announced a broad package of Nataru (Christmas–New Year) discounts designed to ease travel costs and boost tourism during the peak holiday period. The stimulus covers multiple modes of transportation:

• 30 % off economy‑class train fares – The Ministry of Transportation confirmed that economy‑class train passengers will receive about a 30 % discount on tickets from 22 December 2025 through 10 January 2026[1]. The discount applies to 156 regular and 26 additional trains and is expected to benefit more than 1.5 million passengers[1].
• Toll‑road discounts – To smooth highway traffic, the Public Works Ministry will reduce toll fees by 10–20 % on 22 and 23 December and again on 31 December 2025 across 26 toll road sections, including the Trans‑Java and Trans‑Sumatra corridors[2]. Motorists heading out or returning on Christmas day will benefit from these pre‑ and post‑holiday reductions.
• Airfare reduction – Economy‑class domestic air travellers will see 13–14 % discounts on airfares between 22 December 2025 and 10 January 2026[3]. The discount is delivered through a government‑borne value‑added tax (VAT) reduction; passengers pay only five per cent VAT instead of the usual 11 %, lowering base fares and fuel surcharges[4]. The programme targets domestic economy travellers and excludes premium cabins[5].
• Sea and ferry transport – Passengers travelling on state‑run Pelni ships will enjoy a 20 % discount on tickets purchased between 17 December 2025 and 10 January 2026[6]. Ferries operated by ASDP will also cut fares during the same period and will waive port service charges for regular classes, while executive class tickets will be priced at regular‑class levels[7]. These discounts ensure cheaper inter‑island crossings during the Christmas season.

Because the discount windows extend through early January, travellers who book or travel on 25 December 2025 will benefit from reduced fares and lower taxes. The comprehensive stimulus underscores Indonesia’s commitment to ensuring affordability and supporting domestic tourism during the holiday rush.

Thailand – tourism privileges and airline promotions

Thailand’s tourism authorities and flagship airline have introduced special programmes for visitors during the year‑end high season. Although the country’s large “Half‑Price Thailand Travel” campaign runs from July to October 2025, the government has launched additional incentives that remain valid in December:

• Amazing Thailand Passport Privileges 2025 – Launched by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), this campaign runs throughout November and December 2025 and offers nationwide discounts and privileges at more than 300 hotels, restaurants and tourism operators[8]. International visitors simply show their passports to receive deals that highlight Thailand’s “5 Must Do” experiences[8]. While the accompanying “Amazing Bag” souvenir giveaway concludes on 15 December 2025[9], the core discount programme continues through December, allowing Christmas Day travelers to enjoy reduced prices on accommodation, dining and attractions.
• Thai Airways winter promotion – Thailand’s national carrier is running a December 2025 sale that provides THB 1 000 (US$27) off per passenger on selected routes to Taiwan, Korea, Japan and China as part of its winter promotion[10]. This discount applies to tickets booked for travel throughout December, making flights to and from Bangkok more affordable around Christmas.

These promotions complement existing government initiatives, such as proposed subsidies for domestic flights and hospitality privileges. Visitors arriving in Thailand on 25 December can therefore benefit from reduced holiday airfare and special rates at hundreds of participating businesses.

Malaysia – Time for Malaysia Airlines campaign

Malaysia has not announced a specific government‑funded travel stimulus for Christmas 2025. However, the country’s flag carrier launched a major year‑end promotion that covers travel into and throughout 2026:

• Malaysia Airlines’ “Time for Malaysia Airlines” campaign – Announced on 6 November 2025, this airline promotion encourages travellers to plan year‑end holidays. For bookings made between now and 20 November 2025, the airline offers all‑in return Business Class fares from RM 699 and Economy Class return fares from RM 159 for travel until 31 October 2026[11]. The campaign also includes 15 % off extra baggage across all cabin classes[11], encouraging customers to check more luggage without extra cost. Travellers need to secure tickets before the booking window closes, but once booked they may travel anytime during the validity period—including Christmas Day 2025[11].

The campaign demonstrates Malaysia Airlines’ effort to align with the government’s Visit Malaysia 2026 initiative and provides travellers with competitive fares for long‑haul and regional flights. Although Malaysia does not offer toll or ferry subsidies during December, these discounted airfares serve as the primary official deal available to Christmas Day travellers.

Philippines – airline seat sales and hotel promotions

The Philippines’ aviation and hospitality sectors have rolled out verified promotions timed for the festive season. These deals have booking windows in November and early December but cover travel periods that include 25 December:

• Philippine Airlines (PAL) Year‑End Seat Sale 2025 – The country’s flag carrier launched its Year‑End Seat Sale (YESS) on 17 November 2025. The sale runs through 30 November 2025 and features domestic one‑way Economy base fares starting at ₱149 and international round‑trip Economy Supersaver base fares from US$60[12]. The promotion allows passengers to travel immediately after booking, meaning customers who secure tickets during the sale can fly on Christmas Day at the discounted rates[13]. PAL positions the sale as a way for Filipinos to reward themselves during the holidays and emphasises the benefits of flying a full‑service carrier[14].
• Cebu Pacific P99 seat sale – Budget carrier Cebu Pacific announced a ₱99 one‑way base fare seat sale on 1 December 2025. Travelers can book flights from 1 to 3 December and fly to destinations such as Bacolod, Tacloban, Boracay, Laoag and Cebu for ₱99 one‑way[15]. The travel period for this promotion is 1 January – 31 March 2026[15]; although it starts after Christmas, Cebu Pacific launched a second promotion offering ₱699 one‑way fares to Singapore, Hong Kong, Nagoya and Sapporo. These seats can be booked 1 – 15 December 2025 with a travel window 1 December 2025 to 30 June 2026, meaning travellers flying on 25 December can enjoy discounted international fares[15].
• Discovery Suites Black Friday × Travel Tuesday Sale – Discovery Hospitality, a locally owned hotel group, held a sale that offers up to 56 % off room rates and 10 % off dining at its Discovery Suites hotel in Manila. Early access for My Discovery Elite and PAL Mabuhay Miles members ran from 21–27 November 2025, and the public sale occurred from 28 November to 5 December 2025[16]. Stays can be booked for travel between 28 November 2025 and 30 June 2026, with blackout dates on 24 and 31 December 2025 but not on 25 December[16]. Guests booking deluxe, premier or one‑bedroom suites therefore enjoy discounted accommodation on Christmas Day. The promotion also includes complimentary breakfast for two to six persons, a 15 % food and beverage discount, pool and gym access and a complimentary car pass[16].

These seat sales and hotel deals are official promotions from the nation’s flag carriers and a reputable hotel group. They provide travellers with substantial savings on both domestic and international flights and on accommodation in Manila during the festive season.

Conclusion

Across Southeast Asia, governments and national carriers are using holiday promotions to stimulate travel and spending. Indonesia stands out with its comprehensive Nataru discounts covering trains, toll roads, airlines and sea travel[1]. Thailand combines a nationwide privilege programme with airline discounts[8][10]. Malaysia leverages its national airline’s year‑end sale to offer travellers low fares until late 2026[11]. The Philippines features competitive airline seat sales and a hotel promotion that allows discounted stays on Christmas Day[12][15].

For travellers celebrating Christmas on 25 December 2025, these deals mean more affordable journeys and memorable holidays across Southeast Asia. By booking within the specified windows, they can enjoy cheaper flights, reduced taxes, discounted hotel stays and special travel privileges while experiencing the region’s festive spirit.

Reference List

1. Tempo – Indonesia’s Nationwide Transport Fare Discounts for the Year-End Holidays. Key details of the Nataru programme include 30 % train discounts, 10–20 % toll‑road discounts, 13–14 % airfare reductions and 20 % sea transport discounts[1].
2. Expat Life Indonesia – Government Travel Discounts for Christmas and New Year 2025/2026. Describes Indonesia’s VAT reduction on economy‑class airfares and explains the 30 % train discount, 20 % sea transport discount and waived ferry port charges[17].
3. Tourism Authority of Thailand – Amazing Thailand Passport Privileges 2025. Notes that the campaign runs through November and December 2025, offering discounts at over 300 tourism businesses[8].
4. Travel and Tour World – Thai Airways’ Winter Promotion. Reports that Thai Airways offers a THB 1 000 discount on selected routes to Taiwan, Korea, Japan and China during December 2025[10].
5. Malaysia Airlines – Time for Malaysia Airlines Campaign (6 Nov 2025). The airline’s official release lists return Business Class fares from RM 699, Economy Class fares from RM 159 and 15 % off extra baggage for travel through 31 October 2026[11].
6. InsiderPH – PAL Year‑End Seat Sale with Rewarding Travel Deals (17 Nov 2025). Describes PAL’s sale, offering ₱149 domestic and US$60 international fares with booking from 17–30 November 2025 and immediate travel[12].
7. ABS-CBN News – Cebu Pacific Launches P99 Seat Sale (1 Dec 2025). Notes that travellers can book ₱99 one‑way fares to various Philippine destinations from 1–3 December 2025 and a ₱699 international seat sale valid for travel between 1 December 2025 and 30 June 2026[15].
8. Discovery Suites – Black Friday × Travel Tuesday Sale (2025). Provides the hotel’s terms and conditions, including a public sale from 28 November to 5 December 2025, stay period until 30 June 2026 and blackout dates that exclude 25 December[16].