Thailand's Dual Travel Tax Plans Advance: 450-Baht Arrival Fee and 1,000-Baht Departure Tax
Updated: 7 hours ago
BANGKOK, October 8, 2026 — Thailand is moving forward with two separate proposals that would make entering and leaving the country more expensive. A 450-baht tourist arrival fee is edging toward government review after a public consultation drew strong support, while the Finance Ministry is seeking feedback on a proposed 1,000-baht departure tax that would apply to travelers of all nationalities — including Thai citizens.
Neither measure has been approved. Together, they could add 1,450 baht in new charges for foreign tourists making a round trip by air. For background on the earlier stages of the arrival fee, see VisasUpdate's prior coverage at Thailand Proposed 450-Baht Tourist Fee.
The 450-Baht Arrival Fee: Where It Stands
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul chaired a meeting on October 6 with government officials, tourism representatives, and civil society groups to discuss collection methods. The ministry cited precedent from more than 80 countries that already impose tourism-related fees, pointing to Europe, Japan, Australia, and Bali as examples. Details of the ministry's announcement are published on the Ministry of Tourism and Sports website.
The public consultation, held from August 24 to September 28, drew 5,954 responses. Of those, 80.5% supported the fee, and 78.3% backed the 450-baht rate.
Tourism Minister Surasak noted that 22 million international visitors arrived between January and September 2026, generating over 1 trillion baht in revenue. The proposed fee would fund visitor insurance, safety measures, and destination maintenance, reducing the burden on Thai taxpayers.
Officials estimate at least 8 billion baht annually could remain for tourism projects after collection and insurance costs.
Key design elements under consideration:
Feature | Detail |
Initial scope | Air arrivals only |
Land and sea | Deferred by one year |
Multiple entries | No repeat fee within 30 days |
Insurance | Part of revenue would fund visitor coverage |
Collection method | Most popular option: add to airline tickets (36.26%) |
Exemptions under review include diplomatic and official passport holders, Thai work permit holders, border pass users, transit passengers, crew members, and children under two.
The 1,000-Baht Departure Tax: A Broader Reach
Separately, the Revenue Department opened public consultation on September 30 for a draft Departure Tax Act. The consultation document is available on the Revenue Department's website, with general information published at rd.go.th. The consultation runs until October 29.
Unlike the arrival fee, this tax would apply to all travelers leaving Thailand by air, regardless of nationality. The initial rate is set at 1,000 baht, with a statutory ceiling of 5,000 baht that could be adjusted later through ministerial regulation.
The draft would replace the 1983 departure tax regime, which was suspended in 1991 and is currently unenforced.
Proposed exemptions include: children aged two or under, transit passengers remaining in designated areas, crew members traveling on duty, and official government guests.
Airlines would collect the tax when tickets are purchased. Tickets bought before the law takes effect would be exempt, even if departure occurs afterward. If enacted, the law would take effect 180 days after publication in the Royal Gazette.
Combined Charges: 2,570 Baht?
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) has raised concerns about the cumulative effect. On October 7, ATTA Secretary-General Adith Chairattananon warned that overlapping charges could burden travelers and undermine Thailand's competitiveness.
The warning follows Thailand's recent decision to cut visa-free stays from 60 to 30 days for nationals of 60 countries and territories, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.
If both proposals take effect at their current rates, a foreign tourist arriving by air and departing from one of six AOT-managed airports could face:
Charge | Amount |
Passenger Service Charge (already in effect) | 1,120 baht |
Tourist arrival fee (proposed) | 450 baht |
Departure tax (proposed) | 1,000 baht |
Combined total | 2,570 baht |
The 1,120-baht passenger service charge took effect June 20, 2026, for international departures from Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai, Phuket, and Hat Yai airports. It is already included in ticket prices.
ATTA is preparing a formal objection to the Finance Ministry, calling for transparency on how tax revenue would be spent.
What Happens Next
Neither measure is in effect. The arrival fee still requires approval from the National Tourism Policy Committee and the Cabinet. The departure tax remains at the consultation stage. No implementation dates have been announced.
For travelers planning trips to Thailand, no additional payment or procedure is required today.
Read Also
Quick Reference Summary
Item | Detail |
Arrival fee (proposed) | 450 baht; air arrivals first; 80.5% consultation support |
Departure tax (proposed) | 1,000 baht; all nationalities; consultation until Oct 29 |
Existing airport charge | 1,120 baht PSC; in effect since June 20, 2026 |
Potential combined total | 2,570 baht |
Current status | Neither measure approved; no payment required now |
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