Thailand will introduce a new tourist entry fee around 300 baht (approximately 9 US dollars) for foreign arrivals by air starting in 2026, the Thailand government announced. The fee is designed to finance infrastructure improvements, address overtourism, and cover visitor-related public expenses including unpaid medical costs. The country joins destinations such as Japan and Bali in implementing dedicated tourism levies.
In 2026, Thailand will cut the visa-free tourist stay from 60 days to 30 days, according to Thai Cabinet approvals in May and July 2026. This change awaits official publication in the Royal Gazette and will take effect 15 days
thereafter. Travelers entering before the new rules become effective will retain their original authorized stay length. The revised visa exemption covers 59 countries and territories, including new additions such as India, Croatia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta, and the Maldives.
Thailand has mandated the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) for all foreign travelers since May 1, 2025, enhancing digital immigration processes. The THIM (Thailand Immigration Management) app, currently in a pilot phase, allows travelers to submit passport and travel data digitally. The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects THIM’s official launch in August 2026, although the app remains optional and does not replace
the TDAC.
The Thai Cabinet formally approved broad visa reforms on May 19, 2026, with revisions on July 14, 2026, intended to simplify visa exemptions by eliminating overlaps with bilateral agreements and visa-on-arrival schemes. The visa-free stay extension option of an additional 30 days remains available at Thai immigration officials’ discretion. The exact date and method of tourist fee collection have yet to be finalized in official regulations.
Foreign tourists arriving in Thailand from 2026 onward will face the proposed entry fee combined with existing visa fees, airport taxes, and accommodation charges. The cut in visa-free duration aims to prevent
abuse of the program through repeated entries. Travelers need to prepare for increased costs beyond airfare and lodging and must comply with the digital arrival card requirement.
Thailand’s tourist entry fee aligns with similar levies in regional destinations. Japan tripled its International Tourist Tax to 3,000 yen in 2026, following initial introduction in 2019, to fund visitor infrastructure amid record arrivals. Bali implemented a 150,000 rupiah tourist levy in early 2024 to support cultural and environmental preservation. Europe is also expanding traveler costs through digital authorizations and local tourist taxes.
Thailand’s government has yet to finalize the tourist fee’s exact
amount and collection mechanisms and has not set the effective date for visa exemption policy changes. Travelers should note that the THIM app is not mandatory, and detailed regulation disclosures remain pending for full enforcement of the reforms.
