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Thailand's government is going ahead with a 450-baht tourism tax (an arrival fee) on foreign tourists, with collection targeted for the first quarter of 2027. It will start with air travellers. The private sector asked for a delay because of the ongoing flooding, but the government is proceeding anyway. The fee is expected to raise about 8 billion baht a year for tourism infrastructure and tourist insurance.
What is planned
The 450-baht fee is aimed at foreign tourists. Collection is targeted for Q1 2027 and will begin with people arriving by air. The Tourism and Sports Minister, Surasak Phancharoenworakul, says similar schemes already operate in more than 80 countries.
Where the money goes
The fee is expected to bring in about 8 billion baht a year. The fund is meant to pay for developing and upgrading tourism infrastructure, an area where the ministry says a lack of money has been an obstacle.
Part of the money will go to tourist insurance. The ministry expects this to save about 7 billion baht a year in medical costs that foreign tourists currently incur and the government covers.
Public hearing results
An online public hearing ran on www.law.go.th and ended on 28 September 2026. There were 5,954 respondents.
- Over 80% (80.5%) backed the scheme.
- Of those in favour, 78.3% agreed with the 450-baht rate.
- Some respondents wanted an even higher fee.
Stakeholder meeting
The ministry hosted a meeting on Tuesday with more than 30 public and private organisations. Participants included:
- Airports of Thailand
- Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand
- Thai Hotels Association
- Thai Travel Agents Association
- Office of the Insurance Commission
- The public health minister
Natthaya Thaweewong, permanent secretary for tourism, was also named in the coverage.
Delay requests
The private sector asked for the plan to be pushed back because of the ongoing flooding. The government is keeping to its timeline.
How Thailand ranks for tourism
This year, Thailand rose 10 places to 38th in the World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Development Index. Its score was 4.35, up 5.6% from 2024.
Strengths:
| Area | Score | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Natural resources | 4.77 | 13th |
| Cultural resources | 3.81 | 16th |
| Air transport infrastructure | 5.53 | 19th |
Weaknesses:
| Area | Score | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Safety and security | 4.92 | 95th |
| Tourist services and infrastructure | 2.31 | 68th |
What it means for visitors
Foreign visitors arriving by air should expect a 450-baht charge from roughly January to March 2027. The exact start date is not confirmed.
Part of the fee funds tourist insurance and medical cover, so tourists may get some insurance benefit. What that coverage includes has not been stated.
Several details are also unclear for now:
- How the fee will be collected, for example whether it is added to the airfare
- Who will be exempt
- When land and sea arrivals will be included
Information sourced from Bangkok Post.