BANGKOK – Thailand plans to begin charging a 300 baht tourist entry fee for foreign visitors starting in February 2026. The change marks a new step in how the country funds and manages its busy tourism sector.
The fee is often called “Kha Yeap Pan Din“, which translates to a charge for “stepping onto Thai soil.” Officials have talked about it for years. The Cabinet gave it in-principle approval in 2023, but the start date kept moving.
COVID-19 recovery, shifting visitor numbers, and timing concerns all played a part. Recent updates now point to early 2026, matching a wider trend as many destinations add visitor fees to help pay for services and reduce pressure on popular areas.
The charge will be 300 baht (about USD 8 to 9) and will apply to all foreign nationals entering Thailand. It won’t matter if someone arrives by air, land, or sea. Earlier plans included a lower price for land and sea arrivals, but the final approach uses one flat rate.
How the 300 Baht Fee Will Be Collected
Payment is expected to be handled in a simple way. For travelers flying into Thailand, airlines will add the fee to the ticket price. For those entering by land or sea, payment will be handled at border checkpoints. Officials say this should help reduce delays at immigration.
Travelers may see the charge listed as a separate line item in their booking, depending on the airline and ticket format.
A portion of the fee is set aside for visitor coverage. Seventy baht from each payment will go toward basic medical and accident insurance, starting as soon as the traveler enters Thailand. The idea is to offer a safety net for unexpected situations and to ease concerns about uninsured visitors using public medical services.
The rest of the revenue will be used for tourism-related upgrades. Plans include better public facilities, road repairs, stronger emergency response, and added safety features at busy attractions. In places like Chiang Rai, that could support improvements around spots such as the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) and Doi Tung, plus upgrades at border areas near Laos and Myanmar.
Final details are still being confirmed, but exemptions are expected for certain groups. These may include Thai citizens, people with work permits or long-term visas, and diplomats. Officials may also exclude some transit passengers and children under a set age. Frequent travelers in the region could also qualify for waivers, but the rules have not been fully announced.
Overall, the fee is meant to apply mainly to short-term leisure visitors, not residents or official travelers.
What It Could Mean for Thailand’s Tourism
Thailand recorded close to 40 million international arrivals in 2024, topping pre-pandemic totals, and 2025 also showed strong momentum. The government has framed the new fee as part of a move toward higher-value tourism with more support for maintenance and safety, instead of focusing only on visitor volume.
Many in the industry expect little impact because the amount is small, similar to the cost of a snack or coffee. Some tour operators, though, have raised concerns about added costs stacking up. That includes rising airport passenger service charges, which are expected to reach up to 1,120 baht for international departures in 2026, along with other aviation-related fees.
For northern Thailand, including Chiang Rai, the extra funding could help support conservation and visitor management as more travelers arrive for hill tribe tours, Golden Triangle trips, and nature-focused travel.
Thailand is not alone in this approach. Other destinations are also expected to introduce or adjust visitor fees around 2026, including possible changes in Japan, Norway, and Indonesia. Supporters say these charges help keep tourism benefits local communities and protect popular places over time.
As February 2026 gets closer, travelers will want to watch for updates from the Tourism Authority of Thailand and other official channels. The added cost is modest, and the promised improvements in safety and facilities could make trips smoother across the country, from Bangkok’s temples to the mountain views of Chiang Rai.
