Thailand is considering two additional travel charges: a 450-baht fee for eligible foreign tourists arriving by air and a 1,000-baht departure tax. Together with the existing 1,120-baht international passenger service charge, some foreign air travellers could face total charges of 2,570 baht.

Three charges at different stages

Thailand is moving ahead with several air travel-related charges that could raise the cost of visiting and leaving the country for some foreign travellers. One charge is already in place, while two others are still proposals requiring further approval.

Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited, known as AOT, has already increased its international passenger service charge for departing passengers. The fee rose from 730 baht to 1,120 baht per person on June 20, 2026. The domestic passenger service charge remains unchanged at 130 baht.

AOT has said the higher international passenger service charge is meant to help improve service standards at airports. The airport operator’s official information confirms both the 1,120-baht rate and the date when it took effect.

Tourist fee would fund insurance and destination work

Separately, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports is advancing a plan to collect 450 baht from eligible foreign tourists entering Thailand by air. Under the draft arrangement, the measure would initially apply only to qualifying foreign visitors arriving by air, while collection from travellers entering by land or sea would be delayed for one year.

Travellers queueing with suitcases at an airport check-in area in Thailand
Thailand is assessing new travel-related fees that would affect some passengers arriving and departing by air.

Public feedback on the proposed tourist fee showed broad support during an online consultation held from Aug. 24 to Sept. 28. According to the consultation results, 80.5% of participants supported the draft measure, and 78.3% agreed with the proposed 450-baht amount. The ministry is expected to continue the approval process before the fee can be implemented.

Money raised through the tourist fee would be directed to the Tourism Promotion Fund. Part of the revenue would pay for insurance for travellers who are charged the fee, including coverage for death and medical expenses subject to the relevant policy terms. Another share would support the restoration and sustainable development of tourist destinations.

After deducting collection costs and insurance expenses, the ministry estimates that at least 8 billion baht could remain available for tourism development, conservation and restoration of natural resources, and tourism promotion. Officials are also examining how the fund should allocate money to destinations, communities and relevant agencies, as well as rules for publicly disclosing spending.

Departure tax proposal would also apply to Thais

A third measure is a proposed departure tax under consideration by the Revenue Department, which operates under the Ministry of Finance. The department opened a public consultation on the principles of the Draft Departure Tax Act from Sept. 30 to Oct. 29.

Unlike the proposed foreign tourist fee, the departure tax would apply to travellers of every nationality, including both Thai citizens and foreign visitors. The proposal would initially charge air travellers 1,000 baht each time they leave Thailand, while the legislation would allow a maximum rate of 5,000 baht per departure. Departures by land and sea would initially be exempt.

The Finance Ministry asked the Revenue Department to study the tax as part of an effort to use fiscal resources more effectively and give the government greater flexibility in responding to possible future emergencies.

If both proposed measures are approved at the stated rates, an eligible foreign air traveller subject to all three charges could pay a combined 2,570 baht: 1,120 baht for the AOT passenger service charge, 450 baht for the foreign tourist fee and 1,000 baht for the departure tax. Travellers planning Thailand trips should monitor the approval process because the final cost of air travel could change before and after arrival.