[Edaily Kang Gyeong-rok Travel Reporter] The Thai government is once again pushing to introduce a tourism tax of 450 baht (approximately 19,000 won) per foreign tourist. After years of repeated attempts to introduce and postpone the tax, the government has redesigned it to charge the same amount regardless of the mode of entry. Given that international flight fees at major Thai airports rose by more than 50% last June, the fixed costs for travelers to Thailand are expected to increase significantly if the tax is implemented.
On the 14th, Thailand’s National Tourism Policy Committee approved a plan to impose a 450-baht tourism tax per foreign tourist and decided to proceed with public hearing procedures. The core of the plan is to apply the same amount regardless of the mode of entry—whether by air, land, or sea. The government plans to first apply the tax to air travelers before expanding it to land and sea travelers.
However, the introduction of the tourism tax has not yet been finalized. The Thai government plans to gather feedback from the private sector and stakeholders for 30 days, followed by further deliberation by the National Tourism Policy Committee and approval by the Cabinet. Once the final notice is published in the Official Gazette, air travelers will be required to pay the tourism tax 180 days later. The tax will be implemented later for land and sea arrivals than for air arrivals. The Thai government aims to begin collecting the tax from air travelers in the first quarter of 2027.

This is not the first time Thailand has pursued a tourism tax. Previously, plans were made to charge 300 baht for air travelers and 150 baht for those entering by land or sea, but these never resulted in actual collection. This time, the fee has been standardized at 450 baht regardless of the mode of entry. Compared to the previous plan, this means air travelers will pay 150 baht (50%) more, while those entering by land or sea will pay 300 baht (200%) more.
Once the tourism tax takes effect, it is highly likely that it will be applied equally to foreign independent travelers—including those from South Korea—and package tour travelers. At the current exchange rate, 450 baht is approximately 19,000 won. For a family of four, a single trip to Thailand would incur an additional 1,800 baht—approximately 76,000 won—in tourism tax alone. Unlike airfare or hotel costs, this is a fixed fee based on the number of people, regardless of the duration of the trip.
Separate from the tourism tax, airport fees in Thailand have already increased. The Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) announced that, effective June 20,Phuket, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Hat Yai, from 730 baht to 1,120 baht—an increase of 390 baht (53.4%). This fee is not paid separately at the airport but is included in the price of the airline ticket.
If the 450-baht tourism tax is introduced as currently proposed, the combined total of the tourism tax and airport service charge for foreign travelers entering Thailand through these airports and departing on international flights will amount to 1,570 baht. However, not all of the 1,570 baht represents a new cost. The airport service charge was previously 730 baht and had already increased by 390 baht last June. The new burden resulting from the introduction of the tourism tax is 450 baht per person.
The method of collection has not yet been determined. The Thai government is considering options such as including the tourism tax in the price of airline tickets or requiring payment through official websites, mobile apps, or self-service kiosks at points of entry. Another proposal under discussion is to allow travelers who visit Thailand multiple times within a certain period to pay the tourism tax only once, linked to the duration of their insurance coverage, rather than charging it each time.
The increased tax revenue is slated to be allocated toward the development of tourist attractions, visitor safety and insurance, and the strengthening of the tourism workforce and industry competitiveness. The Thai government’s position is to rely not solely on the national budget but to have tourists cover a portion of the costs associated with tourism infrastructure and safety management.
The revival of the tourism tax aligns with changes in Thailand’s tourism policy. The Thai government is shifting the focus of next year’s tourism policy from simply increasing the number of foreign visitors to attracting high-spending tourists and boosting per-person spending. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) have also announced in their 2027 tourism strategy that they will prioritize high-value markets, year-round tourism, and regional diversification over the sheer volume of tourists.
The key question is whether the plan will actually be implemented this time. Thailand has been considering the introduction of a tourism tax for several years but has repeatedly failed to implement it due to issues such as establishing a collection system and the burden on the tourism industry. This latest proposal also still faces procedures such as public hearings, further review, and cabinet approval. This does not mean that the cost of traveling to Thailand will immediately increase by 20,000 won. However, since the government has officially reintroduced a flat rate of 450 baht—higher than the previous rate—discussions surrounding the cost burden on the travel industry and tourists visiting Thailand are expected to intensify once again.