Thailand Proposes Combined $338 Entry and Exit Fees for Air Travellers
Thestandard · 2 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Thailand is advancing two separate fee proposals that would significantly increase costs for air travellers visiting the country. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is pushing a 450-baht tourist fee for foreign visitors arriving by air, potentially effective from the first quarter of 2027, pending cabinet approval and legislative procedures. Simultaneously, the Revenue Department is consulting on a draft Departure Tax Act that would impose a 1,000-baht levy on all air passengers leaving Thailand, including Thai citizens. If both measures pass, foreign air travellers could pay a combined 1,450 baht (approximately HK$338) in new entry and exit charges alone.
Key Points
- Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the 450-baht foreign visitor fee targets Q1 2027 implementation, covering air arrivals initially while land and sea arrivals would be deferred by a year
- The 450-baht fee is projected to generate approximately 8 billion baht yearly, earmarked for visitor insurance, attraction improvements, natural resource restoration, and infrastructure upgrades
- Public consultation conducted August 24 to September 28 attracted 5,954 respondents, with 80.5% supporting the fee and 78.3% approving the 450-baht level
- The proposed 1,000-baht departure tax covers all air passengers regardless of nationality, with a statutory cap of 5,000 baht; the consultation period runs until October 29
- Exemptions under the departure tax include children under two, foreign heads of state, Thai government guests, and transit passengers remaining in designated areas
- The Association of Thai Travel Agents opposes the departure tax, warning it could undermine Thailand's tourism competitiveness
- Thailand currently spends approximately 7 billion baht annually on medical costs for foreign tourists
Why It Matters
The dual fee structure represents a major shift in Thailand's approach to funding tourism-related costs, moving beyond traditional airport service charges to dedicated visitor levies. For Hong Kong travellers, who frequently visit Thailand as a top regional destination, the combined fees would add approximately HK$338 in mandatory charges per trip, on top of existing airport service fees that have already risen to 1,120 baht at Airports of Thailand facilities .
The dual fee structure represents a major shift in Thailand's approach to funding tourism-related costs, moving beyond traditional airport service charges to dedicated visitor levies. For Hong Kong travellers, who frequently visit Thailand as a top regional destination, the combined fees would add approximately HK$338 in mandatory charges per trip, on top of existing airport service fees that have already risen to 1,120 baht at Airports of Thailand facilities .