Thailand has opened an online public hearing on its proposed 450-baht tourism fee for foreign visitors, inviting comments from both Thai and foreign respondents until September 28.

The government says the consultation will cover not only the proposed charge but also how money in the fund should be spent. The draft scheme and questionnaire are available at www.law.go.th

Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism and Sports Minister Sarawong Poonlert, who chairs the working group on creative economy and tourism development, said the process must be open and subject to scrutiny.

"We need to listen to as many perspectives as possible in order to efficiently implement the foreign tourist fee," he said.

For foreigners living in Thailand, making regular trips abroad, or planning visits, the consultation is a chance to comment directly on the proposed rate, payment arrangements and the definition of who would fall within the scheme.

Who would be covered

The questionnaire includes multiple-choice and yes-no questions. Respondents can state whether they support the 450-baht rate and select their preferred method of collection.

It also asks whether they agree with the proposed definition of a foreign tourist: someone who is not a Thai national and enters the kingdom temporarily for tourism or another purpose that does not generate income or compensation.

A comment box is available for additional views.

A recent National Tourism Committee meeting said the Tourism and Sports Ministry should gather opinions from a broad range of groups, including private businesses and foreign chambers of commerce in Thailand. An offline discussion panel is also planned at a later stage.

How the fee could be paid

Mr Sarawong said the most workable collection model would be a dedicated payment website, allowing travellers to pay in advance according to their preferences.

Airlines could collect the fee at an airport kiosk as a processing charge for travellers who are not comfortable using technology, while those who are can pay through the website, he said.

The tourism fee would be the first time the sector generated an annual budget of more than 10 billion baht through its own fund, separate from the normal fiscal budget.

Thailand received about 33 million foreign tourists last year, which could produce a tourism fund worth 14.8 billion baht.

Insurance and fund oversight

The fund is expected to provide insurance for foreign tourists and to finance improvements to tourism infrastructure.

Mr Sarawong said an assigned committee would manage the fund, with relevant stakeholders, including tourism operators and foreign chambers of commerce, permitted to observe management meetings.

He acknowledged that the 450-baht charge could affect price-sensitive visitors, although not all travellers. "Many private operators are not opposed to the idea, and Thailand aims to position itself as a high-value tourism destination," he said.

The government is also considering requiring foreign tourists to buy additional insurance for higher-risk activities, including diving and hiking, as well as third-party cover for rental vehicles.

Join the discussion?

27 August 2026

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Very handy as it is all in Thai.. Not possible to translate to English.. The EN button doesn't work and also the right mouse button can't translate the survey....

Ref. Above.

Yes, that is not inviting input from foreign tourists!

The stated proposals on the amount and it's stated use are all well and good.

The only problem will be the collection method. As soon as it becomes a separate payment, it becomes a problem for the usual reasons. Totally unnecessary.

On the survey you can translate one question at a time to work through. However, without any non-Thai version natively included, will any non-Thai responses count/register/be included?

Edited Thursday at 01:26 AM5 days by pookett

Several attempts to participate and was able to use translator to answer 7 of the 27 questions. After that it would not function , same as when images are used instead of text..

I suspect a redherring , so 300 B will go through as approved by respondents.

Time will tell how this charade plays out

Yes, typical of Thailand - here's a survey, everyone is invited to participate... oh, no - not you, dirty farrang!

I translated each question individually and replied.

Another tax - like, what happened to the medical tax imposed to help pay for those pesky foreigners who managed to escape security at the hospital (as if that is going to happen) and not pay their bills. What happened to that money?

2026 - Thailand's departure tax increased to 1,120 baht on June 20, 2026 (a 53% increase from previously).

2022 - 2023 - The Thai Cabinet approved a 300-baht fee for air arrivals and 150-baht fee for land/sea arrivals (wasn't this the tax that covered hospital bills?)

And what is this one? (Deep Arrival website) "Thailand is moving a flat 450-baht tourism entry fee for foreign visitors back toward Cabinet review, with air arrivals first in line if the plan clears every remaining step." They can disguise it by calling it a fee but it's still a tax.

Now, I will get jumped on here by a certain section of AN but we don't have a voice in Thailand. The many, many long-term residents here that have no input. Yes, we are 'guests', but why? Why do we, who contribute to the Thai landscape, who pay taxes, spend money long-term in this country, have no opportunity whatsoever to reply to government? The feeling that comes over again and again is that they don't want us. None of us, tourists included.

And I'm not speaking about the Thai people - mostly, they are very happy with well-behaving foreigners. No, it's the xenophobic government that (it feels like) doesn't want us here.

And, at the moment certainly, the Thai media has a lot to answer for as regards general Thai attitudes towards foreigners.

Edited Thursday at 01:29 AM5 days by tokyoblond
spelling

1 minute ago, tokyoblond said:

Yes, typical of Thailand - here's a survey, everyone is invited to participate... oh, no - not you, dirty farrang!

I always think back to early Covid days, when I came across a group of Thai ladies on Pattaya Beach Rd, giving out free face masks. I was told they are not for faangs!

Edited Thursday at 01:28 AM5 days by jacko45k

2 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Very handy as it is all in Thai.. Not possible to translate to English.. The EN button doesn't work and also the right mouse button can't translate the survey....

Screenshot, Google Translate. Probably 15 questions are about defining the meaning of a word and who should be the responsible agency for collection.

I hope the do realize this is Not feasible. They basically want Everyone Thai and Foreigner to pay. Then the government will sort who is a Thai and who is a Foreigner and Refund the appropriate party.

Additionally Airline Software is not compatible with one another. This means the Government would receive Data in various different formats that are not easily sortable.

If they pull it off it will be because Foreigners pay through a separate Government portal.

That's weird , all 27 translate instantly in firefox.

Don't know what you guys use , but no problem for me.

4 minutes ago, tokyoblond said:

Yes, typical of Thailand - here's a survey, everyone is invited to participate... oh, no - not you, dirty farrang!

I translated each question individually and replied.

Another tax - like, what happened to the medical tax imposed to help pay for those pesky foreigners who managed to escape security at the hospital (as if that is going to happen) and not pay their bills. What happened to that money?

2026 - Thailand's departure tax increased to 1,120 baht on June 20, 2026.

2022 - 2023 - The Thai Cabinet approved a 300-baht fee for air arrivals and 150-baht fee for land/sea arrivals (wasn't this the tax that covered hospital bills?)

And what is this one? (Deep Arrival website) "Thailand is moving a flat 450-baht tourism entry fee for foreign visitors back toward Cabinet review, with air arrivals first in line if the plan clears every remaining step." They can disguise it by calling it a fee but it's still a tax.

Now, I will get jumped on here by a certain section of AN but we don't have a voice in Thailand. The many, many long-term residents here that have no input. Yes, we are 'guests', but why? Why do we, who contribute to the Thai landscape, who pay taxes, spend money long-term in this country, have no opportunity whatsoever to reply to government? The feeling that comes over again and again is that they don't want us. None of us, tourists included.

And I'm not speaking about the Thai people - mostly, they are very happy with well-behaving foreigners. No, it's the xenophobic government that (it feels like) doesn't want us here.

And, at the moment certainly, the Thai media has a lot to answer for as regards general Thai attitudes towards foreigners.

Screenshot, Google Translate, 10 minutes and all submitted.

Sorry Thailand made you exert an unreasonable amount of effort to voice your opinion.

By the Way. Yes foreigners have Little influence in Thai Government decisions.

Very few organizations who represent our concerns or present them to the Government. I believe that most foreigners don't understand Thai Society and Culture well enough and they don't want it to Turn into the You Tube comments section.

2 minutes ago, J Branche said:

Probably 15 questions are about defining the meaning of a word and who should be the responsible agency for collection.

I think 5-6 of the questions were about defining words and responsible agencies and yes, my comment to that was "why are you asking this in a public survey about attitudes to a proposal? The question is not relevant"

Unfortunately we know that it doesn’t go where they say it will go. Plus they should exempt retirees and those working here.

They should enforce insurance for tourists, but what then are they using this money for exactly? All of the attractions and parks charge extra already for Foreigners to keep the property maintained. So they say. I guess it’s mainly for infrastructure. I’m confused. It just sounds like another money grab for foreigners. I highly doubt the Thais will pay, but they will definitely check the mark for foreigners to pay.

Nothing we can really do about it anyway.

2 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Very handy as it is all in Thai.. Not possible to translate to English.. The EN button doesn't work and also the right mouse button can't translate the survey....

The introductory page translates normally, but then the survey itself doesn't - which makes it appear that they intentionally added some kind of code to prevent translation. I won't speculate as to why that might be, though it does make me wonder whether they'll read any replies that are not in Thai

Anyway, the survey itself is kind of strange. The questions are rather loaded, and the answer choices are limited (though they do allow for additional free-form replies).

It asks which categories of foreigner should be exempted from the fee, and the possible answers include "diplomats" (who should be automatically exempt as a matter of international law) and "transit passengers" (who would presumably be exempt, since why would someone just passing through the airport have to pay for tourism development).

NOT included in the list of possible exemptions are people on long term stays related to marriage or retirement. In fact, the definition of "tourist" that they want to use focuses solely on whether the foreigner is generating income in Thailand.

I also still wonder why a country that takes in over 1.5 trillion THB each year from foreign tourism is so convinced that those tourists are currently a leech on the Thai economy who contribute nothing.

Let's be honest - it's a done deal already. They've wanted to do this for years, but yet nobody can can come up with any reasonable way to implement it.
The airlines won't participate and can't differentiate visa types and nationalities for passing on taxes.
That leaves payment collection at a booth on entry which isn't really acceptable by any measure in 2026, or payment online beforehand - prepare for the online fake website scammageddon.

And either way, at a time when kidnappings are in the news and tourism numbers are down, this is simply self-harm. Did you think the queues at immigration were long now? Hold my beer.

37 minutes ago, tokyoblond said:

Yes, typical of Thailand - here's a survey, everyone is invited to participate... oh, no - not you, dirty farrang!

I translated each question individually and replied.

Another tax - like, what happened to the medical tax imposed to help pay for those pesky foreigners who managed to escape security at the hospital (as if that is going to happen) and not pay their bills. What happened to that money?

2026 - Thailand's departure tax increased to 1,120 baht on June 20, 2026 (a 53% increase from previously).

2022 - 2023 - The Thai Cabinet approved a 300-baht fee for air arrivals and 150-baht fee for land/sea arrivals (wasn't this the tax that covered hospital bills?)

And what is this one? (Deep Arrival website) "Thailand is moving a flat 450-baht tourism entry fee for foreign visitors back toward Cabinet review, with air arrivals first in line if the plan clears every remaining step." They can disguise it by calling it a fee but it's still a tax.

Now, I will get jumped on here by a certain section of AN but we don't have a voice in Thailand. The many, many long-term residents here that have no input. Yes, we are 'guests', but why? Why do we, who contribute to the Thai landscape, who pay taxes, spend money long-term in this country, have no opportunity whatsoever to reply to government? The feeling that comes over again and again is that they don't want us. None of us, tourists included.

And I'm not speaking about the Thai people - mostly, they are very happy with well-behaving foreigners. No, it's the xenophobic government that (it feels like) doesn't want us here.

And, at the moment certainly, the Thai media has a lot to answer for as regards general Thai attitudes towards foreigners.

You are not accepted you are tolerated

56 minutes ago, tokyoblond said:

Ja, typisch voor Thailand - hier is een enquête, iedereen is uitgenodigd om deel te nemen... oh, nee - jij niet, vuile farrang!

Ik vertaalde elke vraag afzonderlijk en antwoordde.

Nog een belasting, zoals wat er gebeurde met de medische belasting die werd opgelegd om te helpen betalen voor die vervelende buitenlanders die erin slaagden te ontsnappen aan de beveiliging in het ziekenhuis (alsof dat gaat gebeuren) en hun rekeningen niet te betalen. Wat is er met dat geld gebeurd?

2026 - Thailand vertrekbelasting verhoogd naar 1.120 baht op 20 juni 2026 (een stijging van 53% ten opzichte van voorheen).

2022 - 2023 - Het Thaise kabinet keurde hiervoor een vergoeding van 300 baht goed air arrivals en een vergoeding van 150 baht voor aankomsten over land/zee (was dit niet de belasting die de ziekenhuisrekeningen dekte?)

En wat is deze? (Deep Arrival-website) "Thailand verplaatst een vlak toerisme van 450 baht toegangsprijs voor buitenlandse bezoekers terug naar Cabinet review, met luchtaankomsten als eerste in de rij als het plan elke resterende stap wist." Ze kunnen het verhullen door het een vergoeding te noemen, maar het is nog steeds een belasting.

Nu zal ik hier door een bepaald deel van AN worden besprongen, maar we hebben geen stem in Thailand. De vele, vele langdurig ingezetenen hier die geen inbreng hebben. Ja, we zijn 'gasten', maar waarom? Waarom hebben wij, die bijdragen aan het Thaise landschap, die belasting betalen, langdurig geld uitgeven in dit land, geen enkele gelegenheid om op de regering te reageren? Het gevoel dat keer op keer overkomt, is dat ze ons niet willen. Niemand van ons, toeristen inbegrepen.

En ik heb het niet over het Thaise volk; meestal zijn ze erg blij met zich goed gedragende buitenlanders. Nee, het is de xenofobe regering die (het voelt als) ons hier niet wil hebben.

En op dit moment hebben de Thaise media zeker veel te verantwoorden als het gaat om de algemene Thaise houding ten opzichte van buitenlanders.

“It’s the xenophobic government”

And do you know what’s great about this? The Thai people want nothing to do with it either, and particularly not with Mr Anutin.

Just a PR exercise in finding the best method of extracting 450 baht from the foreign tourist. Doesn't matter what they say the money will be used. The money will find it's way in the pockets of hi-so government officials in the form of administrative fees.

I’m not really sure why the government of the day is inviting non Thai citizens to opine on government policy tbh. Particularly a proposal so specific as this one. I certainly don’t think views of foreigners will change what is rapidly appearing to be a foregone conclusion.

This is the bit that irks me though.

“The fund is expected to provide insurance for foreign tourists and to finance improvements to tourism infrastructure.

Mr Sarawong said an assigned committee would manage the fund, with relevant stakeholders, including tourism operators and foreign chambers of commerce, permitted to observe management meetings.”

Expectations often aren’t met when large amounts of money are available for allocation and oversight can rapidly turn into a process where funds are allocated to pet hobby horses that benefit interested parties.

I’ve no objection to taxation (which is what this is) but there should be some definitive benefit and I have low hopes of that happening here.

But I suppose we will see. Perhaps I will be pleasantly surprised.

45 minutes ago, Karma80 said:

Let's be honest - it's a done deal already. They've wanted to do this for years, but yet nobody can can come up with any reasonable way to implement it.
The airlines won't participate and can't differentiate visa types and nationalities for passing on taxes.
That leaves payment collection at a booth on entry which isn't really acceptable by any measure in 2026, or payment online beforehand - prepare for the online fake website scammageddon.

And either way, at a time when kidnappings are in the news and tourism numbers are down, this is simply self-harm. Did you think the queues at immigration were long now? Hold my beer.

Yes, the possibility of very long queues at a booth has me worried also. All it needs is a glitch in the yet to be developed online system, and every single passenger will be queuing to pay at a booth.

If you consider what the queue looks like for check in on a single flight, imagine what it will be like when every one of those is combined into queueing at a booth.

That online system better be robust and able to stand the test of time.

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Thailand has opened an online public hearing on its proposed 450-baht tourism fee for foreign visitors, inviting comments from both Thai and foreign respondents until September 28.

Stop squeezing the last drop of blood out of a diminishing clientele.

Use the revenue already accumulated to make new attractions, which in turn will bring in more tourism.

1 hour ago, khunjeff said:

The introductory page translates normally, but then the survey itself doesn't - which makes it appear that they intentionally added some kind of code to prevent translation. I won't speculate as to why that might be, though it does make me wonder whether they'll read any replies that are not in Thai

Survey translated for me.

IMHO, they fee should be double 900 (or more).

Will keep some of the riff raff out!

Edited Thursday at 02:48 AM5 days by Ralf001

Here is my view! when it isn't yours it is spend like a drunken sailor a black hole!

Thailand, it is never enough all these so call billions being lost due to visitors going to hospital and not paying!

Even if the amount was more it is never enough and what it is suggested it being used for never gets to the intended use!

How much money does the so call tourism need! year after year same request yet it seems just ends up in the pocket of those who run this country! Years ago it was 200 billion lost to official stuffing their pocket today it is close to a trillion?

I gaurantee, if passed allowed in a few years we be back at it again and again! There will still be duel pricing and visitors running out again on hospital bills why because if one is in hospital and tells the nurse or clerk I already paid the tourism the respond will be 🤣🤣

5 minutes ago, Hotchilli123 said:

Stop squeezing the last drop of blood out of a diminishing clientele.

Use the revenue already accumulated to make new attractions, which in turn will bring in more tourism.

How about some of your ideas for more new attractions. Where and why do think would be suitable?

Just now, marin said:

How about some of your ideas for more new attractions. Where and why do think would be suitable?

Need a larger venue for international music events... Crazy that Tomorrowland sold out so quickly.

I need more tickets for additional friends coming.... looks like I'll be getting rorted by scalpers.

19 minutes ago, riverhigh said:

Just a PR exercise in finding the best method of extracting 450 baht from the foreign tourist. Doesn't matter what they say the money will be used. The money will find it's way in the pockets of hi-so government officials in the form of administrative fees.

13 minutes ago, Hotchilli123 said:

Stop squeezing the last drop of blood out of a diminishing clientele.

Use the revenue already accumulated to make new attractions, which in turn will bring in more tourism.

Unfortunately I don't think they have any substantial accumulated amount.

Don't understand the amount of concern about the 450 baht fee per entry.

Tourist/Hotel Guest also pay a 10% service charge when staying at a Hotel along with the 7% VAT tax. While Thai's pay the same they are generally staying a couple of nights vs. a week or more.

1000 baht room X 5 days is 500 baht which is more than the proposed fee.

I seriously doubt most Tourist will change plans just because of this fee. They may Not want to pay it but if the Thai Government sells it right most probably would agree to it.

Government.

Dog & Pony show.

As if they give a flying-F about what foreigners think.

4 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Very handy as it is all in Thai.. Not possible to translate to English.. The EN button doesn't work and also the right mouse button can't translate the survey....

Itsvthe same with the Bangkok post ,, if paying is as difficult this will go down like a lead balloon .

1 hour ago, khunjeff said:

The introductory page translates normally, but then the survey itself doesn't - which makes it appear that they intentionally added some kind of code to prevent translation. I won't speculate as to why that might be, though it does make me wonder whether they'll read any replies that are not in Thai

Anyway, the survey itself is kind of strange. The questions are rather loaded, and the answer choices are limited (though they do allow for additional free-form replies).

It asks which categories of foreigner should be exempted from the fee, and the possible answers include "diplomats" (who should be automatically exempt as a matter of international law) and "transit passengers" (who would presumably be exempt, since why would someone just passing through the airport have to pay for tourism development).

NOT included in the list of possible exemptions are people on long term stays related to marriage or retirement. In fact, the definition of "tourist" that they want to use focuses solely on whether the foreigner is generating income in Thailand.

I also still wonder why a country that takes in over 1.5 trillion THB each year from foreign tourism is so convinced that those tourists are currently a leech on the Thai economy who contribute nothing.

They know what they are doing this is deliberate

38 minutes ago, Hardcastle P said:

Itsvthe same with the Bangkok post ,, if paying is as difficult this will go down like a lead balloon .

And Thailand claims it is digital hub

5 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Very handy as it is all in Thai.. Not possible to translate to English.. The EN button doesn't work and also the right mouse button can't translate the survey....

Apart from all that you found it helpful? Me neither!

Off topic post and link removed @KhunHeineken discuss the topic and not link to something you want to discuss.