Thailand hits the brakes on ‘tourism tax’ as date pushed back to 2026 Thailand has formally delayed the mandatory entry charge it plans to impose on visiting tourists, known locally as Kha Yeap Pan Din, from 2025 to the middle of 2026. The move was made by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, following a study of current trends in world tourism and economic conditions.
Chakrapol Tangsutthitham, Assistant Minister of Tourism and Sports, provided insights into this decision, noting that the current external circumstances and global economic climate were primary reasons behind the delay. He emphasized that the ministry needed additional time to thoroughly assess the international tourism demand during the upcoming high season at the end of 2025. The aim is to ensure that the timing and structure of the fee are appropriate and do not negatively impact the country’s tourism recovery efforts.
Initially approved by Thailand’s Cabinet in February 2023, the proposed fee is set to be 300 Thai baht for air travelers and 150 baht for those entering the country via land or sea routes. The funds collected from this fee will serve multiple purposes, primarily aimed at improving and maintaining tourism-related infrastructure and providing basic insurance coverage for international visitors. The insurance coverage is intended to offer additional peace of mind to tourists, enhancing Thailand’s attractiveness as a safe travel destination.
This strategic postponement comes as Thailand continues to recover from the global downturn in tourism, attributed to factors such as fluctuating airfare prices, economic uncertainties in key markets, and ongoing international geopolitical dynamics. Tourism is vital to Thailand’s economy, accounting for approximately 20% of its GDP. Ensuring the sector’s robust and sustainable recovery remains a top governmental priority.
Moreover, Thailand has been proactive in streamlining entry processes for visitors. Since May 2025, the country replaced the traditional paper immigration form (TM-6) with the Digital Arrival Card, a move designed to expedite the entry process and enhance convenience for tourists arriving by air, land, or sea.
Building on these larger tourism efforts, Thailand’s Tourism Authority (TAT) is still actively marketing for sustainable and cultural tourism as part of it’s “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism & Sports Year 2025. These pursuits are undermined by a focus on higher value tourism – those tourists who stay longer and want a cultural experience – and eco-friendly travel.
In practical terms for tourists, this delay means travelers planning to visit Thailand in 2025 will not be subject to the new entry fee, potentially making the country even more attractive in the short term. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports will utilize this period to closely monitor travel patterns, visitor demographics, and global economic conditions, allowing them to refine the fee structure comprehensively before the official rollout.
Upon eventual implementation, it is anticipated that the fee payment process will be straightforward, likely incorporated into the booking processes for airline passengers. For those entering Thailand through land or sea crossings, authorities may introduce easy-to-use online platforms or direct collection methods at border entry points.
On the whole, Thailand’s delay in this regard highlights a cautious but reactive policymaking, looking to balance short-term monetary gain with long-term strategic planning. With international tourism slowly normalizing, the country wishes to reinforce itself as an attractive, safe and tourist-friendly destination, taking advantage of the imminent peak season as a key signal of future market trends.
Stakeholders in Thailand’s tourism industry will continue to work closely with the government sector to step in line with the eventual introduction of the tourist entry fee, in keeping with the country’s overall effort to balance between tourist convenience, economic growth and sustainable tourism growth.
