Thailand advances proposed 450-baht tourist fee towards early 2027 collection
Thailand will hold a 30-day public hearing on a proposed 450-baht fee for foreign visitors, with collection from air travellers expected to start in early 2027.
- A proposed 450-baht tourism fee for foreign visitors has been endorsed by a national committee and will now proceed to a public hearing before seeking final Cabinet approval.
- The government aims to begin collecting the fee in the first quarter of 2027, starting with air travelers before expanding to land and sea arrivals in a later phase.
- Revenue from the fee will be used to fund tourism development, provide insurance and safety coverage for tourists, and improve attractions without relying on the state budget.
Thailand’s National Tourism Policy Committee has endorsed draft principles for a proposed 450-baht tourism fee on foreign visitors, allowing the plan to proceed to a public hearing.
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun, who chaired the committee meeting, revealed on Friday that the meeting had approved the draft principles and draft notification governing the collection of the fee.
The proposal will now enter a public consultation process in accordance with the required procedures. Once the hearing has concluded, it will be returned to the committee for further consideration before being submitted to the Cabinet if it proceeds.
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul explained that the proposed rate was 450 baht per person for foreign visitors entering Thailand by air, land or sea.
The government intends to use the revenue to support the tourism sector without relying solely on limited state-budget funding, while also strengthening the country’s competitiveness.
Natthriya Thaweevong, permanent secretary for tourism and sports, noted that the proposed 450-baht rate was based on research and calculations using a standard model designed to reflect current economic conditions.
The amount is higher than the rates previously considered under an earlier framework, which proposed charging 300 baht for air arrivals and 150 baht per person for travellers entering by land or sea.
Under the planned rollout, the fee would initially be collected from air travellers. Collection would take effect 180 days after the relevant notification is published in the Royal Gazette.
Collection from visitors arriving by land or sea would follow in the second phase, around 360 days later. This would give the government time to address congestion at border checkpoints, particularly those along the Malaysian border, so the fee collection system does not worsen crowding.
For frequent travellers who repeatedly enter and leave Thailand, including those using land crossings, officials are considering a multiple-entry arrangement linked to the duration of their insurance coverage.
For example, a visitor covered by a one-month insurance policy might need to pay only once despite making multiple entries and exits during that period.
Payment arrangements must prioritise convenience for foreign visitors. Options under consideration include incorporating the fee into ticket prices, paying through a website or mobile application, using a fee-payment kiosk or mobile device, and other methods specified by the fund’s management committee.
The government is preparing to conduct a 30-day public hearing to gather opinions from the private sector and all relevant stakeholders. The proposal will subsequently be presented to the Cabinet, with actual collection expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027.
The revenue would be channelled into a fund for tourism development. Its principal purposes would be to provide insurance protection for tourists, including safety and health coverage; develop tourist attractions and create new visitor experiences; and support research, conferences and the development of tourism personnel.
