Thailand may introduce tourist fee in summer 2027
Thai authorities propose charging foreign tourists arriving by air 450 baht per person—approximately $13. The fee may begin to be collected in June or July 2027 if the government approves the plan.
In Thailand, the National Tourism Policy Committee is scheduled to conduct a final review of the fee proposal on November 12. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports plans to submit the document to the Cabinet next week, though the regulations are still being refined.
Authorities are currently discussing the list of exemptions, payment methods, and the readiness of necessary technology and infrastructure. After Cabinet approval and publication of the rules in the Royal Gazette, the law provides for a 180-day transition period, so the exact start date for collection has not yet been determined.
Nattriya Thawivong, Permanent Secretary of Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports, stated that incorporating the fee into the airfare is being considered the simplest option. According to her, discussions with aviation industry representatives, including Airports of Thailand, have shown system readiness following several years of research.
The current draft exempts foreigners with work permits, holders of diplomatic and official passports, border pass holders, transit passengers, crew members, and children under 2 years old. The Ministry emphasizes that the final list of exemptions has not yet been approved.
A portion of the revenue is planned to be allocated to insurance for foreign tourists who fall ill or sustain injuries in Thailand. This scheme has been a point of contention between the Ministry of Public Health and tourism associations due to unpaid hospital bills.
