Thailand’s incoming “Anutin 2” administration is set to fast-track the rollout of its long-debated tourism entry fee, signalling a renewed push to monetise inbound travel while balancing visitor sentiment. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has confirmed that the proposal will be tabled at the government’s first Cabinet meeting.
Under the revised plan, a 300 baht (around S$11.70) fee will be levied only on foreign tourists arriving by air, marking a scaled-back version of earlier proposals. Plans to extend the charge to travellers entering via land and sea borders have, for now, been put on hold, with the government acknowledging concerns that such a move could disproportionately affect cross-border commuters and short-term visitors.
The policy, which has faced criticism since its initial proposal, is also being repositioned from a branding perspective. Officials are considering renaming the fee — informally referred to in Thai as a “fee for stepping on the land” — to something more welcoming in an effort to soften its perception among international travellers.
Beyond the entry fee, the new administration is also proposing a broader restructuring of the tourism ecosystem. The Bhumjaithai Party has put forward a plan to merge the Ministry of Tourism and Sports with the Ministry of Culture, creating a unified Ministry of Tourism and Culture aimed at aligning heritage, culture and tourism under a single policy framework.
The developments signal a strategic shift in Thailand’s tourism policy, as the country looks to enhance revenue from international arrivals while refining its positioning as a global travel destination.
