Thailand’s long-discussed tourist entry fee took another step forward this month, although travellers will not have to pay it yet. At a meeting chaired by Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul in early October, officials reviewed plans for a charge of 450 baht per person on eligible foreign visitors. The meeting did not authorise collection, and officials are now aiming to start in the first quarter of 2027.
How the fee would work
- Who pays: eligible foreign visitors, starting with those arriving by air. Collection at land and sea borders would be suspended for the first year.
- What it covers: part of each payment would fund insurance for medical expenses and death benefits, subject to final policy terms.
- Where the rest goes: a dedicated tourism fund outside the annual budget, to pay for attraction development and restoration, natural-resource conservation, tourism promotion and community projects.
- How it is collected: not decided. Options include adding it to airline tickets, a mobile application, a website or payment kiosks. Collection through airline tickets drew the most support in a public consultation, at about 36 percent.
What still has to happen
The proposal must pass through the National Tourism Policy Committee, then win cabinet approval and be published in the Royal Gazette. The fee would take effect within 180 days of publication. Officials have described the first quarter of 2027 as a target rather than a confirmed date.
The public consultation, which closed on September 28, drew 5,954 responses. About 80 percent supported the draft announcement and roughly 78 percent backed the 450-baht amount. Tourism businesses have asked that collection cause no queues or immigration delays, and private-sector groups want published figures on revenue, spending and insurance costs.
Why Thailand wants it
Officials point to two goals. The first is funding: the minister expects at least 8 billion baht a year to remain after insurance and collection costs, money that would be reinvested in tourism. The second is unpaid medical bills. Authorities have cited roughly 7 billion baht a year in unpaid healthcare costs involving foreigners, though that figure covers more than tourists and is still being verified.
The scale of Thai tourism
More than 22 million foreign visitors came to Thailand through September 2026, generating over 1 trillion baht in tourism revenue. Even a modest per-person charge therefore adds up quickly.
What travellers should know
- There is no fee to pay today. Ignore any website asking for it.
- Once introduced, 450 baht is a small share of a typical trip budget, and the insurance element may offer some added protection.
- Comprehensive travel insurance remains essential, since a basic scheme is unlikely to replace full cover.
Thailand joins a growing list of destinations, from European cities to island nations, introducing or raising visitor charges to manage tourism’s costs. Follow the latest rules in our Travel section.