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Brit's to be hit with a new tourist tax when travelling to popular holiday hotspot

Thailand is fast-tracking plans for a 300 baht entry fee for international air arrivals, with the proposal set to be tabled at the new government's first Cabinet meeting

[Queue for boarding gates of departing passengers at Phuket Airport]

The fee will apply to tourists arriving by air (Stock)(Image: Getty)

Britons travelling to Thailand could soon be hit with additional charges as the nation advances with plans to implement a new tourist entry fee.

Under proposals being fast-tracked by Thailand's incoming government, international visitors arriving by air would need to pay 300 baht (approximately 7). The charge would affect all foreign tourists as part of initiatives to enhance revenue from the country's crucial tourism industry. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the nation welcomed 32.9 million international arrivals between January and December 2025 a 7.2% decline compared with 2024 when over 35 million visitors journeyed to Thailand.

Despite the general decrease, visitor numbers from Britain exceeded one million for the first time since the pandemic in 2025, representing a 12% rise compared with the previous year. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn confirmed the proposal will be presented during the new administration's inaugural cabinet meeting, Nation Thailand reports.

[Cropped image of young woman holding passport and suitcase walking in the international airport hall]

If implemented, tourists arriving by air will have to pay 300 baht (Stock)(Image: Getty)

This tourist levy has been under consideration for several years and was abandoned during the previous administration headed by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Earlier plans to also impose charges on travellers entering by land or sea at a reduced rate of around 150 baht have been suspended for the time being, reports the Express.

Phiphat reportedly stated a fee on land borders would unjustly affect regular cross-border commuters and short-term visitors. While the final specifics are still to be determined, the charge is expected to be integrated into the arrival procedure, possibly via a digital system linked to immigration checks or airline bookings.

The new government is also considering departmental restructuring, which could include merging the tourism and sports ministry with the ministry of culture to streamline industry management.

Thailand's parliament recently appointed Anutin Charnvirakul as the nation's new prime minister, following his Bhumjaithai party's resounding win in the February 2026 general election. His new cabinet has now received official endorsement from King Maha Vajiralongkorn, as reported by the Royal Gazette.

[Person at airport ]

The new Thai government is considering a departmental restructuring (Stock)

The Daily Star previously reported many Brits are making the wrong decisions when it comes to buying their currency when jetting off abroad, according to a new study. Eurochange has discovered the sheer amount of spending money travellers are wasting when buying currency at an airport.

This is due to exchange rates being 13% higher than on the high street or online. The travel expert looked at the currency rates at five of the busiest airports in the UK; Birmingham, Edinburgh, London Heathrow, London Luton and London Stanstead.

They found that Brits could be losing out on over 200 when buying 1,000 euros or dollars. London Stanstead is one of the worst with a euro exchange rate of 0.9076 per 1, meaning holidaymakers could lose 208.80 when they convert 1,000 euros in cash, compared to on the high street.

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