Photo courtesy of Khaosod

Thailand's Civil Aviation Authority will increase the passenger fee for international travelers to 25 baht per person starting February 1. The current fee of 15 baht has been in place since 2015, and the hike aims to stabilize the agency's finances. This change affects both arrivals and departures, impacting airlines that collect this fee based on passenger numbers.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, led by Air Chief Marshal Manat Chavanaprayoon, is a non-profit entity overseeing the country's aviation sector according to local and global standards. The agency operates without government budget support and relies heavily on the passenger fee as its primary revenue source. With rising operating costs, the authority's expenses per passenger have increased to 19.34 baht, outpacing the 15 baht fee and resulting in financial loss.

Currently, the agency holds approximately 1.4 billion baht in reserve funds, utilized for salaries, office rent, and technology costs. The increase to 25 baht is designed to help the authority break even and maintain operations, not for profit or expansion. This adjustment should enable the agency to cover expenses for the next three to four years, aiming for a break-even position by 2028.

Experts believe this fee hike is necessary for the financial health of the Civil Aviation Authority, given its reliance on reserves to cover the shortfall in operating costs. The adjustment aligns with the agency’s goal to balance annual expenses and stabilize operations amidst increasing passenger numbers.

Looking forward, the fee increase is expected to sustain the agency’s operations without the need for significant additional hikes. The authority does not plan any further increases at this time, projecting a stable financial period until at least 2028. This move will likely influence airlines' operational budgets and potentially affect ticket pricing structures, reported Khaosod.

Key Takeaways

• The passenger fee will rise to 25 baht starting February 1.

• The increase is aimed at stabilizing finances, not generating profit.

• This change should maintain financial stability until about 2028.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Khaosod 2026-01-02

 

 

tourism, will go to zero.

Time to cancel my next flight, this is ridiculous!

again a raise... first depart tax now again a few THB.. and the THB is too strong.. I spoke several people who changed their plans already to come to Thailand as it is now time for bookings...

That’s it, I’m off to Viet Nam, they just don’t want us here….. ;)

The som-tam lady, source of inside-information & understanding on all things Thai, told me there was once a Thai-agency which improved its operating-efficiency & then cut its fees ? 🤔

I think she must still be pissed, after a serious celebration with her friends/family over Farang-New-Year, to say anything like that ! 😎

Thats it am going to have to sleep on the beach now.

Another fee increase they haven't told the airlines about so not reflected in fares currently for sale. Will they be asking everyone for 15 baht as they arrive or depart?