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Thailand's 450-baht entry fee and 1,000-baht departure tax: where both stand after the 22 October deferral

The Finance Ministry has deferred the proposed THB 1,000 air departure tax, but the separate THB 450 tourism entry fee is still targeted for early 2027. Neither is in force today.

7 min read

Series 10 Bank of Thailand banknote, illustrating Thai baht travel fees and taxes

Two proposed charges could raise the cost of an international trip to Thailand: a THB 450 tourism entry fee for foreign visitors, and a THB 1,000 departure tax on international air passengers. On 22 October 2026 the Finance Ministry said it would defer the departure tax. It also stressed that the separate entry fee has not been cancelled. Neither charge is in force today. Here is where each one stands and what it would mean for travellers.

Reviewed against Government Public Relations Department, Revenue Department and published reports as of 22 October 2026.

The short version

  • Entry fee (THB 450): still moving forward under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Officials are aiming for the first quarter of 2027, but the fee still needs Cabinet approval and a Royal Gazette announcement. It would start with air arrivals.
  • Departure tax (THB 1,000 by air): the draft law was put out for public comment from 30 September to 29 October 2026. On 22 October the Finance Minister said the ministry would not go ahead with it for now.
  • Today: neither charge is collected. Do not pay anyone who claims you owe either one.

The THB 450 tourism entry fee

What is proposed

According to the Government Public Relations Department (PRD), the Ministry of Tourism and Sports has proposed a flat THB 450 per person for foreign visitors, whether they arrive by air, land or sea. That replaces an earlier idea of THB 300 for air arrivals and THB 150 for land and sea. Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the money would go toward tourism infrastructure and safety, so the sector can grow without relying entirely on the state budget.

How it would be rolled out

The PRD described a two-phase rollout:

  • Phase 1, air travel: starts 180 days after the announcement is published in the Royal Gazette.
  • Phase 2, land and sea travel: follows about 360 days after Phase 1. The delay is meant to avoid more congestion at busy crossings, especially on the Malaysian border.

Frequent land travellers may be offered a multiple-entry option bundled with insurance, for example one payment covering a full month.

How you might pay

Five payment channels are on the table: built into the airline ticket price, an official website, a mobile app, self-service kiosks at entry points, and other methods approved by the Tourism Fund Committee. In the public consultation, collection through airline tickets drew the most support, at 36.26%. No method has been formally chosen yet.

Insurance cover

Part of each payment would fund insurance for the visitor, covering medical expenses and death benefits, subject to final policy terms. Officials say this could help reduce unpaid hospital bills involving foreigners. Hospitals would need a system to check eligibility and claim reimbursement. Industry representatives at an early-October meeting estimated that more than 80% of tourists already carry travel insurance. The proposed Thai cover would be linked to the fee and would sit separately from any policy you buy yourself.

Where the approval process stands

  • The public consultation drew 5,954 responses and closed on 28 September 2026. 80.50% supported the draft announcement and 78.30% backed the THB 450 rate.
  • At a meeting in early October, officials named the first quarter of 2027 as the target. That is a target, not a confirmed date. The next steps are the National Tourism Policy Committee, then Cabinet, then publication in the Royal Gazette.
  • Payment systems, exemptions, insurance procurement and rules on how the fund is spent are still being worked out. Businesses asked that collection should not create queues or immigration delays, and asked for special treatment for border traders and frequent cross-border travellers.
  • The Tourism Minister said the fund should keep at least THB 8 billion a year after collection and insurance costs.
  • On 19 October 2026, according to trade reporting, a Ministry of Tourism and Sports subcommittee reviewed the draft collection rules and referred the proposal to the Tourism Promotion Fund management board. That is a procedural step, not approval.

The THB 1,000 departure tax

What the draft says

The Revenue Department published the principles of a draft Departure Tax Act for public comment from 30 September to 29 October 2026. According to reports on the draft:

  • It would apply to travellers of all nationalities leaving Thailand. The legal ceiling would be THB 5,000 per departure, with the actual rate set by ministerial regulation.
  • The initial rate would be THB 1,000 for air departures. Land and sea departures would be exempt at first.
  • Airlines or their ticket agents would usually collect it with the fare.
  • Proposed exemptions largely follow those for the airport Passenger Service Charge. They include children aged two or under and international transit passengers who stay inside designated transit areas. Crew travelling on duty without paying a fare would not be taxed.
  • The law would take effect 180 days after publication in the Government Gazette. Tickets bought before that date would not be liable, even if the flight is later.

This would differ from Thailand's 1983 departure-tax regime, which applied only to Thai nationals and foreign permanent residents. Collection under that law has long been exempted in all cases.

The 22 October deferral

On 22 October 2026, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the ministry would defer the departure tax to keep tourism moving, particularly during the busy fourth quarter. "We have discussed this with the Revenue Department and decided that we probably will not proceed with it for now because we want tourism to continue moving forward," he said. He did not give a date for reconsidering it. He said developments would be monitored to avoid putting an excessive burden on travellers and airlines.

He also made clear that the deferral covers only the departure tax. The THB 450 entry fee falls under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and has not been cancelled.

What this means for your trip

  • Trips in 2026: neither charge applies.
  • Trips in 2027: the entry fee could apply to air arrivals if it is approved and published in time. Watch for a Royal Gazette announcement, which would start the 180-day countdown.
  • Existing airport charges are separate from both proposals and are normally already included in your airfare.
  • Watch for scams. The TDAC arrival card is free and is not a fee-payment portal. Until an official collection channel is announced, treat any website or message asking you to "pay the Thailand tourist fee" as suspect.

Checklist

  • Do not pay any "entry fee" or "departure tax" today. Neither is in force.
  • For 2027 bookings, check fare breakdowns once official collection rules are published.
  • Keep travel insurance. The proposed fee-linked cover is not yet defined.
  • Follow the PRD, TAT and the Royal Gazette for the official start date and payment channel.
  • Submit your TDAC only on the official free site or app.

Sources

Foreigners Thailand is an editorial guide, not a visa agency, tax adviser or government service. These are proposals that may change or be dropped. Confirm current requirements with the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate where you live, or with official Thai government sources, before you travel.

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