BANGKOK
Thailand is moving forward with plans for a 450-baht tourism fee on foreign visitors, following endorsement by the National Tourism Policy Committee. A 30-day public hearing will now take place before the proposal advances toward Cabinet approval, with collection from air travellers expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027, potentially as early as April and peak Songkran (Thai new year) travel season. Thailand insists the fee would be used to upgrade tourism infrastructure and support foreigners with medical and health insurance as needed.
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun, who chaired the committee meeting on Friday, August 14th, 2026, confirmed that the panel had approved the draft principles and draft notification governing the fee’s collection. Known colloquially in Thai as “kha yeap pan din” (literally, the fee for stepping onto the land), the charge would apply to foreign visitors entering the country by air, land or sea.
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the proposed rate of 450 baht per person, roughly equivalent to US$13–15, represents an increase from earlier frameworks that had considered 300 baht for air arrivals and 150 baht for land or sea entries. Permanent Secretary for Tourism and Sports Natthriya Thaweevong explained that the higher figure resulted from updated studies incorporating economic growth, inflation and other factors since the original 2023 proposal of around 300 baht. While calculations pointed toward figures exceeding 490 baht in some models, officials settled on approximately 450 baht as a balanced level that should not significantly deter visitors.
The fee forms part of the government’s broader “Visitor Economy” strategy, which prioritises higher-value tourism, longer stays, greater spending, enhanced safety and more equitable income distribution over simply maximising arrival numbers. Revenue would flow into a dedicated tourism development fund. Primary uses would include providing insurance coverage for foreign visitors (covering safety and health), developing and upgrading tourist attractions and infrastructure, creating new visitor experiences, supporting research and conferences, and training tourism personnel, reducing reliance on limited state budget allocations.
Collection is planned in phases. It would begin with air arrivals, taking effect 180 days after the relevant notification is published in the Royal Gazette. Land and sea entries would follow in a second phase roughly 360 days later. This staggered approach would be to give authorities time to address congestion at border checkpoints, particularly those along the Malaysian border where frequent cross-border travellers are common. Officials are also considering multiple-entry arrangements tied to the duration of insurance coverage, so that visitors making repeated entries within a covered period (for example, one month) would pay only once.
Payment methods under discussion focus on convenience. Options include incorporating the fee into airline ticket prices, online payment via websites or mobile applications, kiosks or mobile devices at points of entry, or other channels determined by the fund’s management committee. The private sector and other stakeholders will be invited to provide input during the public consultation process to ensure transparency and practicality.
Once the 30-day public hearing concludes, results will return to the National Tourism Policy Committee for further review before potential submission to the Cabinet. If approved without major delays, actual collection from air travellers could start in early 2027, aligning with broader efforts to separate the Tourism and Sports ministries and strengthen Thailand’s competitiveness as a sustainable destination.
The proposal builds on years of discussion. Earlier versions of a tourist levy were considered as far back as 2020–2023 but faced repeated delays amid concerns over timing, economic conditions and implementation details. The current plan reflects adjustments for inflation and the need to fund visitor protection and infrastructure upgrades independently of annual budget constraints.
Authorities maintain that the 450-baht fee, carefully calibrated and phased, will support long-term sustainability of Thailand’s vital tourism sector without unduly impacting visitor numbers or experience.
Photos: Recent photos from the Old Market in Naklua near Pattaya, a popular tourist destination, taken by The Pattaya News Team.
