Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports has announced a delay in the implementation of the long-planned Travel Fee for Foreign Tourists, locally referred to as the “Kha Yeap Pan Din” (literally meaning “stepping onto Thai soil” fee). Officials have confirmed that the measure will not be enforced in 2025 as initially planned.
The tourist entry fee of 300-baht (about US$9.20) is now expected to launch in Q2 or Q3 of 2026, citing that the current timing was inappropriate due to ongoing external uncertainties. The fee for land or sea arrivals is set for 150 baht (about US$4.60).
The Ministry said that it must wait to assess international tourist demand during the upcoming high season in Q4 this year and that it needs more time to study the details and determine an appropriate fee structure based on the mode of travel—land, sea, rail, or air. The revenue generated will be used to enhance tourist sites and fund insurance coverage for foreign visitors.
Fall in tourism numbers
More than 35 million travellers arrived in Thailand in 2024. Thailand welcomed a record of nearly 40 million visitors in 2019, before the Covid pandemic.
At the start of July, tourist arrivals totalled about 17 million, down 5 per cent from the same period in 2024. The slowdown has raised concerns in the tourism sector, which contributes about 20 per cent of the country’s GDP.
Thailand’s foreign tourist arrivals from January June fell 4.56% from the same period a year earlier. There were about 16.68 million foreign visitors 16.68 million foreign visitors during the period. It is hoped that year end travel during the peak period will boost arrivals to achieve the 35 million target.
Analysts suggest that economic pressures in key markets such as China may be affecting demand. China’s tourist arrivals to Thailand have fallen sharply, as much as 34% in the first half of the year, which is partly due to security concerns after the kidnapping of a Chinese actor.
The baht’s strength and rising airfare costs have also made the country a more expensive destination to visit. Looking ahead, the U.S. slapping tariffs on Thailand could have a ripple effect on economies, leading to reduced spending on international trips.
Meanwhile, Thailand rushes to upgrade its tourism systems and infrastructure by developing and launching various campaigns and initiatives for its all-important tourism industry. Earlier this year, the country rolled out a new digital entry system (Thailand Digital Arrival Card), replacing tedious paperwork with a streamlined online process for pre-arrival registration.
Photo credit: Larcsky789 / Shutterstock.com
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