Thailand is considering raising its proposed tourist entry fee for foreign visitors above 300 baht as officials review rising insurance and healthcare costs linked to the tourism sector.
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Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the long-delayed tourism levy, first proposed in 2020, may need to increase because of inflation and higher insurance premiums. Most of the revenue would be used to provide insurance coverage for foreign tourists, particularly for treatment at private hospitals, while the remainder would fund maintenance of tourist attractions and infrastructure improvements.
The discussion comes just one day after the government announced plans to end the current 60-day visa exemption scheme for travellers from 93 countries. Authorities intend to return to shorter visa-free stays similar to the system used before 2024.
Officials are considering two possible methods for collecting the fee. One option would add the charge to airline tickets, while another would collect it through the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system, which foreign visitors are already required to complete before entry.
Airlines have reportedly raised objections to charging only foreign passengers while exempting Thai nationals, warning the system could create discrimination concerns. One proposal under review would require all passengers to pay the fee initially, with Thai citizens later applying for refunds.
Using the TDAC platform is viewed by officials as a more practical alternative because it is already integrated into the arrival process for foreign travellers. Authorities said further discussions are needed before a final decision is made.
The final amount of the tourism fee will depend largely on the projected cost of accident insurance and unpaid medical treatment involving foreign tourists. Studies cited by officials estimate that unpaid medical bills from overseas visitors cost Thai hospitals around 2.5 billion baht each year.
The Tourism and Sports Ministry is expected to continue talks with the Thai General Insurance Association to determine suitable insurance premium levels before the levy is finalised.
Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the Thai Hotels Association, said the government must clearly explain what incidents would be covered by the insurance fund. He questioned whether protection would extend to floods, construction accidents or motorcycle crashes involving riders without licences.
Bangkok Post reported that he also called for greater transparency regarding how much revenue from the tourism levy would be directed towards infrastructure projects.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Bangkokpost 21 May 2026