Due to the slow pace of tourism recovery, the Thai government has decided to postpone the plan to impose a 300-baht (40 ringgit) tourist entry fee on foreign visitors, originally set for 2025. It is now expected to be implemented in the second or third quarter of 2026.
According to reports by Thai Headline News Agency and The Nation, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand announced on the 15th that, following a decision at the “TATAP 2026 (Tourism Authority of Thailand Action Plan 2026)” meeting, the foreign tourist 'entry fee' will be delayed until 2026. The aim is to balance the market and promote sustainable revenue growth in the tourism sector.
Assistant Minister of Tourism and Sports, Jakkaphon, stated that it is still not an appropriate time to collect the entry fee from tourists. Relevant details are still under study and remain at the theoretical discussion stage. The government is taking a cautious approach in assessing the impact of this fee on the overall tourism industry.
Shift Toward Focusing on Tourist 'Quality'
The postponement of the entry fee collection reflects the Tourism Authority’s efforts to adapt to the rapidly changing tourism environment and signifies a shift in national tourism strategy from previously focusing on tourist 'quantity' to gradually emphasizing tourist 'quality'. The main strategies include targeting high-quality tourist groups, diversifying risks and balancing the market, ensuring a balanced flow of global tourist markets, and addressing safety image concerns.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand is confident that these strategies will advance the development and enhancement of the tourism sector, allowing it to remain a crucial tool for the country in achieving stable and sustainable development in the areas of economy, society, culture, and environment.
In fact, Thailand’s policy to charge foreign tourists a 300-baht entry fee was first proposed by the Prayut government in early 2022. Tourists entering by air would need to pay 300 baht, while those entering by sea or land would need to pay 150 baht (20 ringgit). This tourist entry tax had been repeatedly announced but shelved by previous governments.