NovThailand News
Thailand advances 450-baht visitor fee proposal after consultation
Public support does not amount to government approval
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports received 5,954 online responses between 24 August and 28 September. Its Tourism Promotion Fund reported that 80.50% of respondents supported the draft notification, while 78.30% agreed with the proposed 450-baht rate. The figures describe people who took part in the consultation; they are not a nationwide opinion poll.
At the 6 October meeting, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul heard further comments from government agencies, businesses and civil society. How people would pay remains under discussion. Ticket-based collection attracted support from 36.26% of online respondents, reflecting concern about adding queues at immigration checkpoints.
A further development came on 9 October, when Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun, who oversees the tourism ministry, called for clear rules on collection and the use of proceeds before Cabinet consideration. Her support for continuing the plan was not a decision to begin charging visitors.
For practical context, see Thailand economy and finance. This development also connects with Thailand consults on proposed 450-baht foreign visitor fee.
The draft starts with airports and includes limited exemptions
Under the draft circulated in August, the 450-baht fee would initially apply to qualifying foreign tourists arriving by air. Collection at land and sea borders would follow a year after the first phase begins. A traveller who has paid could make multiple entries within 30 days without another payment, provided the linked insurance remains valid.
The proposed exclusions include work-permit holders, transit passengers, crew, diplomatic and official passport holders, and children under two. Travellers staying for several months should not assume that a particular long-stay visa automatically settles their position: the final definition of liable and exempt visitors still matters. Nothing in this proposal changes visa permissions or permitted lengths of stay.
The ministry wants some of the revenue to pay for insurance for fee-paying tourists, with medical treatment and death benefits subject to the eventual policy conditions. The rest would help restore and improve tourism sites. Officials have projected roughly 8 billion baht a year for development after collection and insurance costs, but neither the revenue nor the insurance terms are guaranteed.
For anyone arranging flights, the immediate point is simple: there is no official 450-baht tourist-fee payment to make yet. The approved notice, start date, payment channels and coverage details will determine the actual cost and procedure.
Sources
- Thailand Tourism Promotion Fund — report on the foreign tourist fee consultation meeting, 6 October 2026.
- Thailand Tourism Promotion Fund — public consultation notice on the draft National Tourism Policy Committee notification, 24 August 2026.
- Khaosod English — report on the deputy prime minister's instructions regarding the proposed tourist fee, 9 October 2026.