Thailand plans to introduce a 450 baht entry fee for foreign tourists in the first quarter of 2027, according to local media reports.
The measure will initially apply to travelers arriving in the country by air, despite calls from private sector representatives to delay the rollout of the program. Local publication Bangkok Post reported that government authorities intend to move forward with the entry levy early in 2027 regardless of business concerns.
The proposed fee of 450 baht, which is equal to approximately 1,200 Russian rubles, is expected to generate eight billion baht, or about 239 million US dollars, for the national budget each year. Officials plan to allocate a portion of the revenue toward medical insurance coverage for international travelers. The remaining funds will be directed to the ongoing development and modernization of public tourism infrastructure across the country.
Thailand Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul stated that more than 80 countries around the world currently enforce similar practices. He noted that entry fees are widely used internationally to help governments manage visitor services and preserve travel infrastructure.
Previous delays to the tourist levy
Efforts to introduce a tourist fee in the Southeast Asian nation have faced previous setbacks. In 2023, Thailand decided to postpone the introduction of a planned tourism charge for foreign travelers after officials evaluated its potential economic impact.
At the time, local officials determined that implementing an additional financial requirement could negatively affect visitor sentiment. They expressed concern that the entry fee might influence travel decisions and alter the plans of foreign guests considering a holiday in the kingdom.
Background on Thai tourism and policy
Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia renowned for its tropical beaches, cultural heritage sites, and bustling capital city of Bangkok. Tourism represents one of the largest sectors of the Thai economy, supporting millions of jobs in hospitality, transport, and local commerce.
The country receives millions of international visitors annually, making public infrastructure maintenance and traveler health services major priorities for government planners. Overcrowding at popular resort areas and unpaid emergency medical bills from uninsured tourists have prompted authorities to seek stable funding sources.
Bangkok Post, which first reported the latest timeline, is a long established English language daily newspaper published in Bangkok. The publication frequently reports on government policy decisions and economic developments affecting international travel to the kingdom.
