Travelling to Thailand could become slightly more expensive for foreign visitors from 2027 onwards.
The Thai government is proposing a flat tourism fee of 450 baht (approx. RM55.35) for every foreign visitor entering the country. It would apply regardless of whether tourists arrive by air, land or sea.
Higher than previous proposed rates
According to The Sun, an earlier version of the plan proposed charging air travellers 300 baht, or approximately RM37. As for visitors arriving by land or sea, they would be charged 150 baht (RM18.50).
Under the revised proposal, all foreign visitors would instead pay the same flat rate of 450 baht. This means the proposed fee would increase by around RM18 for air travellers and approximately RM37 for visitors entering by land or sea.
Proposal open for public consultation
Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports has opened the proposal for public consultation until Sept 28.
After the consultation period ends, it will be submitted to the National Tourism Policy Committee for review.
The plan will also require Cabinet approval and publication in the Royal Gazette before the government can begin collecting the fee.
As the proposal is still being reviewed, foreign visitors are not currently required to pay the 450 baht fee.
Funds to improve tourism infrastructure and safety
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the money collected would be used to improve Thailand’s tourism infrastructure and safety standards.
According to the Thai government, the fee is expected to be introduced in stages to prevent congestion at border checkpoints.
The first phase would cover visitors arriving by air and begin 180 days after the announcement is published in the Royal Gazette.
Visitors arriving by land and sea would be included in a later phase.
Could generate billions for tourism fund
The idea of introducing a tourist entry fee was first discussed around 2019 to 2020. Following several revisions, the flat rate of 450 baht was proposed in August 2026.
Thailand welcomed approximately 33 million foreign tourists last year, and if the country receives a similar number of visitors and each traveller pays 450 baht, the fee could generate around 14.8 billion baht for Thailand’s tourism fund.
However, the final rate and implementation timeline will still depend on the outcome of the public consultation and subsequent government approvals.
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