New Thailand 450 Baht Tourist Fee

Thailand's 450 Baht Tourist Fee Proposal

TL;DR: Thailand is pressing ahead with a 450 baht tourist fee, roughly 10 pounds or 12 euros, charged once per foreign visitor on arrival. Air passengers pay first, likely from early 2027, with land and sea crossings following about a year later. It still needs final Cabinet sign off, so nothing is payable yet and how you pay is not locked in. For a Thailand trip it is a minor cost, but here is exactly what is coming.

The idea of a Thailand arrival fee has been floating around for years. In August 2026 it took a real step forward: the National Tourism Policy Committee reviewed the plan and the government confirmed it is moving ahead. If you are planning a Thailand trip from the UK or Europe, here is the plain English version.

How much is the proposed Thailand tourist fee?

A flat 450 baht per person, around 10 pounds, 12 euros or 13.50 dollars, whatever your nationality. It is a one-off charge on entry, not a nightly or daily levy, so a two-week beach trip and a three-month backpacking loop pay exactly the same amount.

When does the fee start?

Not yet, and not on a single date. Collection begins with air arrivals first, about 180 days after the rule is published in Thailand's Royal Gazette, with early 2027 the likely window. Land and sea crossings follow roughly a year after that, a deliberate gap to avoid chaos at busy border points like the crossings with Malaysia. Importantly, the measure still has to clear public consultation and Cabinet approval, so there is no firm go live date yet.

How will you pay it?

That part is still being worked out. Options on the table include a surcharge added to your airline ticket, payment through an official website or mobile app, and self service kiosks at airports. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), the online form most visitors already complete before flying, could handle collection, although the TDAC itself stays free. Exemptions have not been confirmed either.

What does the fee pay for?

The revenue is earmarked for tourism infrastructure, safety improvements, and a possible insurance scheme covering foreign visitors who run into trouble. Whether travellers feel the benefit directly is the open question, but the headline pitch is a safer, better maintained Thailand.

Frequently asked questions about Thailand's proposed tourist fee:

How much is Thailand's tourist fee?

A flat 450 baht, about 10 pounds, per person, charged once on arrival. It applies to all foreign visitors regardless of how they enter.

When will the Thailand tourist fee start?

Air arrivals first, likely from early 2027, about 180 days after the rule is published in the Royal Gazette. Land and sea crossings follow roughly a year later. It still needs final Cabinet approval, so nothing is payable yet.

Do I have to pay it more than once?

No. It is a single charge per entry, not a per night or per day tax, so the length of your stay does not change what you owe.

Is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) still free?

Yes. The TDAC stays free to complete, even though it may end up being the tool used to collect the fee.

Will there be any exemptions?

Not confirmed yet. Exemption categories are still to be decided as the plan goes through consultation, so watch this space.

We will update this once the fee is signed off and a real start date lands. In the meantime, keeping a Thailand trip in one place, flights, the fee, visas and daily spending across more than 160 currencies, is exactly what BudgetBro is built for. Always confirm the latest entry requirements at the official TDAC portal before you travel.

Would a 450 baht arrival fee change your travel plans, or make you re-consider? Drop a comment below and let us know.