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A trip to Thailand looks set to cost a little more.
The Thai government is again pushing a 450-baht (about US$15) fee for every foreign tourist.

Nothing is final yet.
The plan is still out for consultation and needs Cabinet approval before it can take effect.
But the government’s target is the first quarter of 2027, starting with air arrivals, so it is worth knowing about if you are planning a trip early next year.

Curved ceiling and walkway in Concourse A at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
Concourse A at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, February 2024. Photo: MNXANL / CC BY-SA 4.0

What we know so far

Item Details
Amount 450 baht per person, whatever the way you arrive
Who pays Foreign tourists
Target start Q1 2027, air arrivals first
Land and sea arrivals Phased in about 360 days later
Validity Pay once, then enter and leave freely for 30 days
Use of funds Tourist insurance (safety and health), destination development and more
Current stage Public hearing until September 28 → committee review → Cabinet approval

This is based on Thai reporting including The Nation.
The National Tourism Policy Committee approved the draft on August 14, and collection starts 180 days after the notice is published in the Royal Gazette.

So even on the fastest timeline, it will be at least six months after publication before anyone pays it.
Winter trips you are booking now should not be affected.

It used to be 300 baht

The earlier plan charged 300 baht for air arrivals and 150 baht by land or sea.
The new plan sets one 450-baht rate for everyone. For travellers arriving by air, that is 150 baht more than before.

According to the tourism ministry, a calculation based on current prices and costs came out above 490 baht, but the rate was cut to 450 baht to keep the burden reasonable.

Exemptions (in the draft)

Exempt  
Children under 2  
Transit passengers  
Diplomatic and official passport holders  
Foreigners with Thai work permits  
Crew members  
Central prang of Wat Arun in Bangkok under a cloudy sky
Wat Arun, Bangkok, August 2013. Photo: Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 3.0

How you would pay

That is still undecided.
Options under consideration include adding it to the ticket price, paying on a website or app, and kiosks at the airport.

If it goes into the ticket price, there is nothing to do. If it is paid separately, you may need to pay online before you arrive.
Once it is confirmed, I will cover how to pay.

Airport charges have already gone up

Separately, Thailand’s international departure charge (PSC) already rose on June 20.

Item Details
Amount 730 baht → 1,120 baht
Airports Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket and Hat Yai (the six AOT airports)
Applies to Tickets issued from June 20
How Included in the ticket price
Domestic flights Unchanged at 130 baht

Source: TAT Newsroom.
It is already in your fare, so it is easy to miss, but it explains why taxes on Thailand return tickets have crept up.

If the tourist fee goes ahead, flying in and out would mean 1,120 baht in airport charges plus the 450-baht fee, 1,570 baht in total.

Sand and sea at Patong Beach, Phuket
Patong Beach, Phuket, April 2024. Photo: กสิณธร ราชโอรส / CC BY-SA 4.0

In short

  • The 450-baht fee is still a proposal, and early 2027 is the earliest start
  • Trips to Thailand right now only see the higher airport charge, already built into the ticket
  • I will post again with the start date and payment method once the fee is confirmed

For new flights around Thailand, see also THAI’s Bangkok–Da Nang launch.

Sources: The Nation – 450-baht tourist fee (Sep 12) · The Nation – committee approval (Aug 15) · TAT Newsroom – airport charge increase · Edaily
Checked: September 27, 2026

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