Bangkok
Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) has confirmed that its decision to raise the international passenger service charge (PSC) to 1,120 baht per traveller will increase airfares, but the company remains confident the hike will not significantly deter travel demand or prompt passengers to change destinations.
The new rate, up from 730 baht (an increase of 390 baht or about 53%), takes effect on June 20th, 2026, for all outbound international passengers at AOT’s six main airports: Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang in Bangkok, as well as Phuket, Hat Yai, Chiang Mai, and Mae Fah Luang-Chiang Rai. Domestic PSC remains unchanged at 130 baht per passenger to support government tourism promotion policies.
AOT President and CEO Paweena Jariyathitipong stated that the adjustment, approved by the Civil Aviation Board, followed thorough studies aligned with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines under Doc 9082. These focus on non-discrimination, cost alignment, transparency, and user consultation. The company expects the hike to generate approximately 10 billion baht in additional annual revenue, which will fund infrastructure upgrades, service improvements, safety enhancements, and long-term airport development.
While acknowledging the fee will flow through to ticket prices, AOT’s research indicates it will not meaningfully affect passengers’ travel decisions. The company notes that Thailand’s new PSC level remains competitive compared to many international airports.
The increase, the largest in nearly two decades, has drawn scrutiny. The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has questioned the transparency of the process and whether passengers will see corresponding improvements in services, especially given Thailand’s global airport rankings.
The PSC is not a tax but a user fee collected by airlines and remitted to AOT for airport operations. It will appear in the fare breakdown for international tickets issued on or after June 20, 2026.
This adjustment comes as Thailand continues to recover and expand its aviation infrastructure to handle growing passenger volumes at key tourist and economic gateways.
