Brits set to be hit by new tourist tax in popular country

The country loved by Brits is set to introduce a brand new entry fee for foreign tourists arriving by air.

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By Jennifer Pinto, Audience writer

08:10, Sun, Apr 5, 2026

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

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

Brits heading to Thailand could soon face an extra charge as the country moves forward with plans to introduce a new tourist entry fee. Under proposals being fast-tracked by Thailand's incoming government, international visitors arriving by air would be required to pay 300 baht (around 7). The fee would apply to all foreign tourists as part of efforts to boost revenue from the countrys vital tourism sector.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the country recorded 32.9 million international arrivals between January and December 2025 a 7.2% drop compared with 2024, when more than 35 million visitors travelled to Thailand. Despite the overall dip, visitor numbers from Britain surpassed one million for the first time since the pandemic in 2025, marking a 12% increase compared with the previous year.

[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 (about 7) (Image: Getty)

Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn confirmed the proposal will be tabled during the new administration's first Cabinet meeting, Nation Thailand reports.

This tourist tax has been in discussion for several years and was shelved during the previous administration led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.

Previous plans to also charge travellers entering by land or sea at a lower rate of around 150 baht have been put on hold for now.

Phiphat reportedly said that a fee on land borders would unfairly impact regular cross-border commuters and short-term visitors.

While final details are yet to be confirmed, the charge is likely to be incorporated into the arrival process, potentially through a digital system connected to immigration checks or airline bookings.

The new administration is also looking at restructuring departments, including potentially merging the tourism and sports ministry with the ministry of culture to streamline how the industry is managed.

Thailands parliament recently elected Anutin Charnvirakul as the countrys new prime minister, following his Bhumjaithai partys decisive victory in the February 2026 general election.

His new cabinet has now been officially endorsed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, according to the Royal Gazette.