Planning a trip to Thailand in 2026? A proposed 450-baht (around US$13) tourist entry fee has yet to receive formal approval. As of 9 October 2026, foreign visitors do not need to pay this fee, though other travel-related costs still apply.
Here’s what the proposal means for travellers and what to keep in mind when budgeting for a future visit.
Is there a Thailand tourist entry fee right now?
No. According to Thai Examiner, the plan still needs Cabinet approval and publication in the Royal Gazette before collection can start. Until the government announces a start date through those channels, treat any website, booking add-on or message asking you to pay a “Thailand tourist fee” with caution.
What you pay and need today
These are the rules actually in force right now:
- Thailand Digital Arrival Card: the TDAC is free, and you can file it in the three days before you arrive.
- Visa exemption: since 15 September 2026, tourists from the UK, Australia, Canada, the US and many other countries can stay up to 30 days without a visa, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
- Airport departure charge: since 20 June 2026, Airports of Thailand charges international departing passengers 1,120 baht at six airports, including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Phuket Airport. It is included in your airline ticket, so there is nothing extra to pay at the airport.
Where the 450 baht plan stands
A tourist fee has been discussed in Thailand for years, and an earlier version would have charged 300 baht for air arrivals and 150 baht for land and sea arrivals. In August 2026, the National Tourism Policy Committee approved in principle a single 450 baht fee for foreign visitors, according to VnExpress.
A public consultation from 24 August to 28 September drew 5,954 participants, with about 80.5% supporting the draft and 78.3% backing the 450 baht level. Officials are targeting the first quarter of 2027, starting with air arrivals, with land and sea arrivals deferred for around a year.
ASEAN NOW reports that the plan still needs further approvals, and that implementation would follow within 180 days of publication in the Royal Gazette, so the timing could still change.
What the plan would include
As described by officials, the fee would help fund tourism development and give foreign visitors basic insurance cover for medical emergencies and accidents.
Ways to pay under discussion include adding it to airline tickets, an official website, a mobile app, airport kiosks or the TDAC system. None of this is final until the Cabinet and the Royal Gazette confirm it.
How to plan your 2027 trip
There is nothing to do today. If you are booking for early 2027, it is sensible to keep a small buffer in your budget and to watch for official announcements before you pay anything.
What you can control is the arrival itself. Fast Track Thailand guides you through a priority immigration lane at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Phuket Airport, so you spend less time in queues. Our guides to Thailand’s auto gates and fast track versus regular immigration explain your options, and when you fly home, our airport lounge page is worth a look as an optional extra.
Frequently Asked Questions
Would every foreign visitor pay?
As proposed, the fee would apply to foreign visitors, with air arrivals first. Details such as exemptions and collection at border crossings are still being worked out, so check the final rules once they are published.
Is a tourist fee unusual?
No. Thai officials have pointed to similar charges in around 80 countries as part of the case for the fee.
How will I know when a fee starts?
Collection can only begin after the Royal Gazette publishes the rules, and announcements would come from the Thai government and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Until then, nothing is due.
Whatever happens with the fee, you can still make your arrival smoother.
When you are ready, book Fast Track Thailand for your trip.