Thailand is once again moving closer to introducing its long-discussed 300 baht tourism tax (around ₹820) for international visitors. The country’s new
Tourism and Sports Minister, Atthakorn Sirilatthayakorn, has announced plans to begin collecting the fee during his tenure, urging officials to prepare public messaging on how the funds will be used. According to the minister, the additional charge will go toward tourist insurance and upgrading infrastructure to enhance travel safety and comfort. “This tax is critical,” he said, emphasising the need for transparency so that travellers understand how their contribution supports the tourism ecosystem. Still, he acknowledged that some may view the extra cost as a deterrent, especially amid rising travel expenses worldwide.
What Exactly Is The Thailand Tourist Fee?
The idea of a Thailand tourist tax isn’t new. First floated in 2020 and approved by the cabinet in early 2023, it has been delayed multiple times due to administrative and logistical hurdles. Previous plans set the rate at 300 baht for air travellers and 150 baht for land or sea arrivals, but no firm collection date was ever established.Earlier ministers had promised implementation by the end of 2025, though those deadlines were later scrapped. Now, with fresh momentum under the new leadership, the tourism levy could be rolled out sometime in mid to late 2026, depending on how quickly the government finalises procedures. Thailand continues to be a top choice for Indian travellers, with more than 2.1 million visitors from India recorded in 2024 — a 30% jump from the year before.
The 300 baht charge (approximately ₹800–₹900) might not seem huge, but it adds up for families or frequent travellers. While there is still no clarity about how it'll be collected, reports suggest the tax could be built into airline tickets, charged upon arrival, or applied differently for land and sea entries. The method of payment could determine how seamless (or not) the process feels for tourists. If the funds are genuinely used for visitor insurance and tourism upgrades, the tax might ultimately work in travellers’ favour, leading to safer, smoother, and more enjoyable holidays.
