Thailand is considering increasing its long-planned foreign tourist entry fee beyond the proposed 300 baht as authorities review rising insurance and healthcare costs associated with international visitors.
The proposal was announced by Surasak Phancharoenworakul, who said the fee, first proposed in 2020 but never implemented, may need to be revised upward to reflect inflation and higher insurance expenses, according to a report by Bangkok Post. The move comes a day after Thailand announced plans to shorten visa-free stays for travellers from 93 countries.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, most of the revenue generated from the fee would be used to provide insurance coverage for tourists, while the remainder would support the maintenance of tourist attractions and tourism-related infrastructure.
Government reviewing collection methods
Authorities are currently finalising how the fee would be collected without affecting traveller sentiment.
One option under consideration is adding the charge to airline tickets. However, airlines have reportedly raised concerns because they would be unable to distinguish between Thai citizens and foreign passengers when collecting the fee.
Another option is to collect the fee through the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), which foreign visitors are required to complete before entering the country.
Officials said the final fee amount will depend largely on projected insurance costs and medical treatment expenses at private hospitals.
Visa policy changes
The announcement comes as Thailand ends the current 60-day visa exemption for travellers from 93 countries and territories. Authorities are considering a return to shorter visa-free stays and visa-on-arrival arrangements similar to those in place before the recent expansion of visa privileges.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has also proposed adjustments for certain key markets. Indian travellers will qualify for visa-on-arrival facilities, and the ministry supports introducing a 15-day visa exemption for visitors from India.
