Travel Fee for Tourists in Thailand Remains Postponed Until 2026 - Explanation Provided
The Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports has announced a delay in the implementation of a travel fee for foreign tourists, known as the Kha Yeap Pan Din, until the middle of 2026. This decision was made following a review by Minister Sorawong Thienthong and was primarily due to weaker-than-expected tourist arrivals and ongoing external economic uncertainties.
Earlier this year, Thailand rolled out a new digital entry system for pre-arrival registration. The travel fee, initially scheduled for rollout in 2025, was expected to generate funds for projects that improve tourism infrastructure and provide insurance coverage for travelers. However, the slowdown in tourist arrivals at the start of July was about 5% compared to the same period in 2024, prompting a reconsideration of the timing.
Chakrapol Tangsutthitham, the Assistant Minister of Tourism and Sports, explained that the ministry needs more time to study the details and determine an appropriate fee structure based on the mode of travel. The digital form, aimed at boosting data collection, improving processing at airports and borders, and supporting a more seamless travel experience, will remain in place during the delay.
The decision to delay the travel fee also comes amid broader concerns over Thailand's economic outlook. The tourism sector contributes about 20% of Thailand's gross domestic product (GDP), and the ministry is keen to support its recovery before introducing the fee. Officials prefer to assess demand during the upcoming Q4 2025 high travel season to better understand market conditions before implementing the fee.
The exact new date for the implementation of the travel fee is not specified in the article, and it remains unclear whether the delay is temporary or permanent. The travel fee, locally referred to as "stepping onto Thai soil" fee, was approved in principle in early 2023 but was postponed after review by the Tourism Minister who judged the timing currently unsuitable.
[1] Thai PBS World [2] Bangkok Post [3] Reuters [4] Nation Thailand
- The digital form,expected to aid data collection and improve processing, will stay in place during the delay of the Kha Yeap Pan Din, a travel fee initially planned for 2025 that aims to fund tourism infrastructure and traveler insurance.
- Amid the decision to postpone the Kha Yeap Pan Din, Thailand's tourism sector maintains focus on a recovery, understanding that this sector contributes significantly to Thailand's GDP, and seeks to assess market conditions during the high travel season of Q4 2025 before implementing the fee.
