Thailand Proposes New Entry Fee and Departure Tax on Travelers

The government plans a 450-baht entry fee for foreign air arrivals, likely to start in the first quarter of 2027, and a 1,000-baht departure tax on all air passengers, regardless of nationality. Airlines would collect both charges, with exemptions for children under two, foreign heads of state, government guests and transit passengers in designated areas. The public consultation on the departure tax ends on October 29, and collection at land and sea borders for the entry fee has been postponed by one year.

Thailand’s new entry fee and departure tax could raise travel costs for foreign tourists by nearly $80 Thailand mulls out another departure tax on travelers

Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit noted that existing law permits a levy of up to 5,000 baht, but the rate under consideration is around 1,000 baht. Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said more than 80 % of respondents supported the proposal in an online consultation. Officials estimate the entry fee could generate roughly 8 billion baht annually for tourism infrastructure, natural-resource restoration and insurance, offsetting the roughly 7 billion baht the state currently spends on medical expenses for foreign tourists.

Japan TimesThailand’s new entry fee and departure tax could raise travel costs for foreign tourists by nearly $80 Thailand mulls out another departure tax on travelers

When added to the existing 1,120-baht international passenger service charge, the new fees could raise total charges for foreign air passengers to as much as 2,570 baht (about US $64). The Thai Travel Agents Association warned that such stacked fees may depress passenger numbers, prompting airlines to reduce flight frequencies and harming inbound tourism. Thailand has already seen a decline in foreign arrivals, with visitor numbers down several percent from the previous year and still far below pre-pandemic levels.

Thailand’s new entry fee and departure tax could raise travel costs for foreign tourists by nearly $80 Thailand mulls out another departure tax on travelers

If approved, the departure tax would take effect 180 days after parliamentary passage and publication in the Royal Gazette; passengers who bought tickets before that date would be exempt. The plan’s future depends on the consultation outcome on October 29 and subsequent cabinet approval.

Thailand’s new entry fee and departure tax could raise travel costs for foreign tourists by nearly $80