Snippets: Recent Updates Within the Thai-Indian Community

From stand-up comedy stages in Bangkok to billion-dollar business deals and new cross-border travel routes, the Thai-Indian community continues to thrive across industries.

This month’s snippets capture a dynamic mix of culture, commerce, and connectivity—highlighting key developments that reflect the growing ties between Thailand and India.

This May, there are not one but two comedians making their way to the Land of Smiles.

Vir Das is returning to Bangkok with his “Hey Stranger” stand-up tour at KBANK SIAMPIC HALL on May 17, while Sunil Grover will be performing in Thailand for the first time at Muangthai Rachadalai Theatre on May 8.

Both comedians promise to have their audience in stitches with their razor-sharp wit and memorable impressions.

Starting on June 20, 2026, the Airports of Thailand (AOT) has announced that the passenger service fees (PSC) on all outbound international travellers will rise from THB 720 to THB 1,120.

Although this is a 53 per cent increase, it will be adjusted in the price of the flight itself and is not an extra charge.

This increase will apply to six airports in Thailand: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Hat Yai, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai.

In February 2026, Air India Express, Air India’s low-cost carrier, introduced a weekly flight between Varanasi and Bangkok, thus strengthening connectivity between the state of Uttar Pradesh and Thailand.

This route adds to Air India Express’s growing presence in Thailand, joining the flights connecting Bangkok to Bengaluru, Lucknow, Pune, and Surat.

The hustle and high stress of metropolitan life often can lead to spikes in cortisol and a deep misalignment with the self.

CONSC, established by the women behind Prem & Yoga Ayurveda, is a residential retreat located in the serene mountainous terrain of Pak Chong.

The retreat is a space and enlightened life immersion rooted in clarity, awareness, and deeper alignment, for those looking to lean back and recentre with like-minded peers.

The next retreat is set to take place from 29 May to 1 June, offering a timely invitation to step away and return with a renewed perspective.

For more information, head to @consc.retreat and @prem.and.yoga.ayurveda on Instagram.

American Aircraft Company, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation has officially appointed MJets Limited as its International Sales Representative (ISR) in Thailand.

Under this agreement, MJets, led by William E. Heinecke (Founder of Minor International Public Company Limited) and Kirit Shah (Chairman of GP Group), will helm sales activities and brand promotion for Gulfstream’s business jet portfolio across the country.

The partnership leverages MJets’ local expertise to meet growing regional demand for high-performance aircraft.

One year ago, Indorama Ventures—owned by petrochemicals billionaire Aloke Lohia—purchased a stake in EPL, a manufacturer of plastic laminates and tubes for the pharmaceutical and fast-moving goods industries, from U.S. private equity firm Blackstone.

Now, Indorama will merge its Indian packaging unit, Indovida India, with EPL in a USD 2 billion deal. Shares in Indorama surged 9.8 per cent in Bangkok after the news.

The now-merged corporation will combine flexible packaging with Indovida’s plastic bottling (PET) packaging business.

After the success of Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur and the signing of the Avani-branded Avani+ Sunray Beach Visakhapatnam Resort, Minor Hotels announces the signings of two new Anantara Hotels and Resorts properties in India.

The first is the 69-key Anantara Zanti Coorg Resort located in the Western Ghats, surrounded by the forested enclave in Coorg, Karnataka.

The Anantara Kolkata Hotel will be the second Minor hotel property, set to anchor the upcoming World Trade Centre Kolkata, and with 170-keys and its proximity to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, the hotel is designed to complement the city’s growing demands in the business, meetings, and events sector.