Thai authorities have wrapped up public consultation on a flat entry fee for foreign tourists — 450 baht (about $13) per person, regardless of how you enter the country. The consultation ran from mid-August and closed on 28 September 2026; the proposal now moves to the National Tourism Policy Committee and the cabinet, and then to the Royal Gazette. If Thailand is still on your winter shortlist, here's what's known as of late September, who the fee will apply to, and what to do right now. For a full destination overview, see our guide "Thailand in winter: where to go and what to know".
What's actually being proposed
Thailand has been discussing a flat entry fee for years, and in 2026 the figure was revised more than once: an earlier draft floated 300 baht, calculations later showed an economically justified rate above 490 baht, but officials settled on a compromise 450 baht so as "not to place an excessive burden on travellers," according to the minister overseeing tourism policy. The fee is designed as a single payment covering one visit of up to 30 days: travellers who take a quick side trip to a neighbouring country and return within that window won't have to pay again, as long as the included insurance coverage still applies. Revenue is earmarked for tourist insurance (including emergency medical care), infrastructure upgrades, environmental restoration and support for tourism areas — Thailand currently spends roughly 7 billion baht ($210 million) a year on medical care for foreign visitors that is never recovered.
Who it applies to
The fee is meant to be mandatory for all foreign tourists, including Russian citizens — no nationality-based exemptions are planned. Those expected to be exempt include work-permit holders, diplomatic passport holders, transit passengers, flight crew and children under two. Collection won't start for everyone at once: air arrivals will be charged first, while travellers crossing by land or sea will only be charged roughly a year after launch. That matters if you're planning overland trips between Thailand and its neighbours. The practical mechanics haven't been announced yet — officials haven't specified whether payment will happen at ticket purchase, via a separate online form before departure, or at the border.
Timeline: when the fee takes effect
| Stage | Status as of late September 2026 |
|---|---|
| First proposed amount (300 baht) | early 2026 |
| Tourism Policy Board approved the fee in principle | 14 August 2026 |
| Public consultation on the draft (amount raised to 450 baht) | closed 28 September 2026 |
| Review by the National Tourism Policy Committee and cabinet | autumn 2026, exact date not set |
| Publication in the Royal Gazette, collection starts for air arrivals | expected Q1 2027 |
| Fee extended to land and sea border crossings | roughly a year later |
In short: the fee is not in effect before early 2027, and the exact start date will only be confirmed once the regulation is published in the Royal Gazette — typically a few weeks before it takes effect.
What to do if you're travelling
Nothing changes for trips this winter: you can book flights and hotels to Thailand as usual, including checking our guides "Phuket or Koh Samui: which to choose" and browsing the destination catalog — no need to factor in the future fee yet.
- Don't pay anyone in advance who offers to "register" the fee right now — no official payment mechanism exists yet, and this is a scam.
- If you're flying after early 2027, check the official Tourism Authority of Thailand site or with your tour operator closer to departure for the confirmed rules.
- Keep a valid passport (at least 6 months' validity) and travel insurance handy — those are the documents typically checked at the border alongside the new fee.
- Planning a short side trip to a neighbouring country and back within a month? Confirm with your airline or at the airport whether the "one fee, 30 days" rule applies to your case.
To compare dates and budget for a trip, use our destination match tool — it also lets you check the season by region in Thailand.
Sources
- The Thaiger, citing Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports, "Thailand's 450 baht tourist fee nears public deadline" — 24 September 2026
- Vedomosti, "Thai authorities discuss raising the tourist fee" — 25 September 2026
* The amount, timing and payment process may still change before official publication in the Royal Gazette — check the latest information before you travel.
