Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports is preparing to launch a public hearing on a new tourism entry fee for foreign visitors, and the numbers have changed.

The proposed rate is now a flat 450 baht (~US$13.50) per person, regardless of how you arrive (air, land, or sea). That's up from the earlier proposal, which had set different rates for air (300 baht/~US$9) and land/sea (150 baht/~US$4.50) entry.

According to Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul, the funds raised will go toward upgrading Thailand's tourism infrastructure and safety standards, helping the sector grow without leaning entirely on the state budget.

● Rollout Timeline 

To avoid overwhelming border checkpoints, the fee will be introduced in two phases:

• Phase 1 – Air travel: starts 180 days after the announcement is published in the Royal Gazette

• Phase 2 – Land & sea travel: follows about 360 days after Phase 1

This staggered approach is meant to ease congestion at busy crossings, particularly along the Malaysian border. Frequent land travelers may also get a multiple-entry option bundled with insurance coverage, for example, one payment for a full month of coverage.

● How To Pay 

Five payment channels are on the table: 

1️⃣ Built into your airline ticket price

2️⃣ Online via an official website 

3️⃣ Through a mobile app 

4️⃣ Self-service kiosks at entry points 

5️⃣ Other methods approved by the Tourism Fund Committee

● The bottom line

The fee is aimed at making Thailand safer, more polished, and more enjoyable to visit — funding everything from infrastructure upgrades to traveler safety nets.

Source: PR Thai Government