Mandatory tourist tax in Thailand: new rules for travelers

Thai authorities have decided to introduce a tourist levy in 2025. The new levy, which will include insurance for all foreign nationals, will be submitted to the Cabinet for consideration in the first quarter of next year. Once approved, the law will come into effect in about six months, sometime in the middle of 2025.

Initially, the fee will only be levied on passengers arriving by air. The so-called “Kha Yeap Pan Din” (Thai entry fee), or landing fee, was tentatively approved last February. The fee will be 300 baht (about $8.88) for travelers.

Part of the money collected will go to buy insurance for foreign travelers, while the remaining amount will go to a tourism development fund. The funds are planned to be used to improve tourist facilities such as accessible infrastructure for people with disabilities and tourist toilets.

It is also noted that the ministry is developing an electronic system to pay the levy, which will be integrated with the Krungthai Bank system. Of the set amount of tourist tax - 60 baht will be allocated for insurance. In case of death, the payout will be 1.5 million baht (roughly $44,500), and up to 500,000 baht (equivalent to $14,900) for injuries. This insurance will be valid for up to 30 days, which is the length of stay for most tourists. This is worth considering when buying international health insurance before traveling.

There are also plans to equalize the fee for travelers arriving by land and sea to that of air travelers, as the fee is now 150 baht ($4.44).

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