Thailand has been talking about a new tourist tax for years, and in 2026 it is moving forward again. If you are planning a holiday to Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Pattaya or anywhere else in Thailand, this is one of the new travel costs to be aware of. If you will be travelling in Thailand, my guide to visiting Thailand with autistic children is where you should start.
It is often called the Thailand tourist tax, tourism fee, landing fee, or entry fee. Officially, it is a charge for foreign visitors entering the country.
The amount is small compared to the cost of a holiday, but many travellers want to know exactly who pays it, when it starts, and what the money is actually used for.
Here is what we know so far.
Quick Wins About the New Thailand Tourist Tax
- Thailand’s tourist tax is mainly planned as 300 baht per person for air arrivals
- Earlier plans included 150 baht for land and sea arrivals
- In 2026, the strongest push is for air arrivals first
- It applies to foreign tourists, not Thai nationals
- It is intended to help fund tourism infrastructure, visitor safety and support services
- Part of the original plan included tourist insurance coverage
- It has been delayed multiple times and is still moving through government approval
What is the Thailand Tourist Tax?
Thailand’s tourist tax is a one-off entry fee charged to foreign visitors arriving in the country.
You may also hear it called:
- Thailand entry fee
- Thailand landing fee
- Thailand tourism fee
- “Kha Yeap Pan Din” (sometimes translated as the “stepping onto Thai soil” fee)
It is not the same as the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), which is the online arrival form required before entry. The TDAC is an immigration form, while the tourist tax is a separate fee. I have a full guide about the TDAC to help you understand what it is and how to do it before you travel to Thailand.
How Much is The Thailand Tourist Tax?
The long-standing proposal has been:
- 300 baht for travellers arriving by air
- 150 baht for travellers arriving by land or sea
However, in 2026, the most likely first phase is a 300 baht charge for air arrivals only, with land and sea charges delayed or paused for now. Officials have said this is to avoid causing problems for frequent border crossings, commuters and short-term visitors.
For most UK travellers flying in, you should expect the important figure to be 300 baht per person (roughly £6–£7 depending on exchange rates).
If you plan to visit Thailand by cruise, my guide breaks down everything you need to know about the Thai cruise ports, what type of terminal they have (or if they are tender only) and more important information about the port to help you plan your arrival. To plan a cruise holiday, my cruising with autistic children page is a great starting point.
Who Has to Pay?
The fee is aimed at foreign tourists entering Thailand.
This means:
- Holidaymakers
- Short-term visitors
- International tourists arriving by air
Thai citizens do not pay it.
There may be exemptions or specific rules for certain visa holders, border workers or transit situations, but the main target is standard overseas leisure travel.
For most families flying in from the UK, you should assume the fee applies to every non-Thai traveller in your group.
Is The Tourist Tax Already Active?
This is where it gets confusing.
The tax has been approved in principle before, but it has been delayed several times and was not fully implemented in earlier years.
In 2025, officials postponed it again and suggested a mid-2026 rollout. In 2026, the government revived the plan and pushed it back toward Cabinet approval, especially for air arrivals.
So yes-it is a real policy, but the exact start date and final collection method can still change.
Always check before travel rather than assuming it has already started.
Is it Permanent?
The intention is for this to be an ongoing tourism levy rather than a temporary one-off measure.
It is designed as a permanent tourism fund, similar to how other countries use city taxes or visitor levies.
Thailand sees it as part of long-term tourism management rather than a short-term emergency measure.
That said, because it has faced repeated delays and pushback from the tourism industry, the final structure may still change.
What Will The Money be Used For?
This is the main reason the government keeps bringing it back.
The fee is intended to help pay for:
Tourism Infrastructure
This includes improving tourist facilities, transport systems, public services, and destination management in high-traffic tourism areas. You can learn more about the planned cruise terminal upgrades in Thailand while working closely with Royal Caribbean.
Do you have questions about the transport in Thailand? My guide to accessible transport in Thailand is exactly where you should head next.
Visitor Safety
Officials have repeatedly said the fund would support tourist safety measures and emergency assistance.
Tourist Insurance Support
One of the most talked-about parts of the plan is that some of the money may help fund mandatory tourist insurance or help cover costs when uninsured tourists need emergency medical treatment. Thailand has said this helps reduce bad debt from emergency treatment for foreign visitors.
Sustainable Tourism and Overtourism Management
It is also meant to help reduce pressure on heavily visited areas and support longer-term tourism sustainability.
How Will You Pay It?
The exact system is still being finalised.
Possibilities include:
- collected through airline tickets
- linked to immigration systems
- connected to the Thailand Digital Arrival Card
- paid digitally before or on arrival
Thailand has said it wants a system that does not slow down arrivals or discourage tourism.
So travellers are unlikely to be standing in a separate airport queue handing over cash.
Does This Replace Travel Insurance?
No.
Even if part of the fee supports tourist insurance systems, you should still have your own full travel insurance.
This is especially important if you travel with:
- autism-related support needs
- medication
- pre-existing medical conditions
- food allergies
- mobility equipment
- specialist medical devices
Do not assume the tourist tax gives you full medical cover.
Will you be travelling with medication? Learn more about bringing medication into Thailand, what medicines you can buy over the counter in Thailand and flying with medical luggage.
For most families, Thailand’s tourist tax is not a huge cost-but it is something to plan for.
If you are a family of five, that could mean an extra 1,500 baht on arrival if the 300 baht air fee applies to everyone.
It is best treated like any other entry cost: budget for it early and avoid surprises at the airport.
Thailand remains one of the easiest long-haul destinations for family travel in Asia, but entry rules do change quickly—especially around fees, arrival cards and visa exemptions.
Always check the latest updates before you fly.
To start planning your family trip to Asia, my guide to visiting Asia with autistic children contains so much information and links to guides for each country we have visited in Asia so far.