Thailand Advances 450-Baht Tourist Fee, Considers Film Rebates
BANGKOK — 9 October 2026, Thailand is moving ahead with plans to collect a 450-baht entry fee from foreign visitors, with Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun ordering officials to establish transparent rules for collecting and spending the revenue before submitting the proposal to the Cabinet. Suphajee, who oversees the Ministry of Tourism […]
Bangkok, 9 October 2026 – Thailand is moving forward with a plan to levy a 450‑baht entry fee on foreign visitors. Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun has directed officials to draw up transparent rules for collecting and spending the revenue before the proposal is sent to the Cabinet. Suphajee, who also oversees the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, said the National Tourism Policy Committee has already discussed the measure and recommends a fee of 450 baht per person.
Relevant agencies have been told to prepare full details on collection procedures, disbursement rules and permissible uses of the money. All steps must be transparent and open to public scrutiny before a consultation period and final Cabinet review.
To allay worries that the fee might deter tourists, Suphajee noted that many nations charge similar entry fees. She stressed that Thailand must clearly define how the revenue will be spent, such as improving tourist safety, providing insurance for foreign visitors and developing under‑funded attractions.
Suphajee has also asked Veerasak Kowsurat, an adviser to the deputy prime minister, to study whether part of the fee could legally fund the Cash Rebate scheme for foreign film productions, especially if the number of overseas shoots grows beyond what the regular budget can cover.
On the Cash Rebate scheme itself, she said the latest meeting did not create new rules but focused on speeding up payment delays. A new committee has been formed after a government transition stalled appointments, enabling faster processing of pending claims.
Finally, Suphajee outlined plans to balance support for foreign productions managed by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports with assistance for Thai filmmakers overseen by the Ministry of Culture, arguing that closer cooperation between the two ministries would streamline incentives and make support more systematic and coordinated.
