British tourists heading to Thailand will soon have to pay a new tax, as officials confirm plans to introduce a 300-baht (£6.50) charge per person for foreign visitors.

The tourism tax is expected to come into force later this year, with Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong saying it could be implemented during the country’s “peak season”.

The charge will apply to all international arrivals, including those entering by air, land, or sea, according to Nation Thailand.

The minister confirmed the tax scheme is awaiting final approval and will be published in the Royal Gazette in March before taking effect.

If approved, visitors flying into Thailand will be required to pay a 300-baht (£6.50) fee per trip, while those entering via land or water crossings will also pay the charge but will be granted multiple entries over a 30 to 60-day period.

Sorawong said officials are working to link the charge to the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), an online system set to launch on May 1, to make tax collection easier.

Despite concerns that the charge could deter some tourists, the minister believes the fee is “not a large amount” and will not impact visitor numbers.

Several embassies have reportedly supported the plan, which will help fund insurance coverage for international tourists during their stay.

Sorawong also reassured travellers that the system would be “one-stop-service to facilitate travellers” and avoid unnecessary inconvenience.

“The tourist fee may not be a large amount that would put tourists off, but if collection is complicated, it will be inconvenient. Our aim is to make the process as smooth as possible,” he said.

Thailand remains one of the most popular destinations for British travellers, with around 120,000 UK visitors each year, according to official figures.

Under Thailand’s Visa Exemption Program, British passport holders can enter the country without a visa for up to 30 days for tourism purposes.

This can be extended for an additional 30 days at a local immigration office.

Despite suffering heavily during the COVID-19 pandemic, Thailand’s tourism industry has made a strong recovery.

In 2019, Thailand welcomed 39.9 million tourists, contributing an estimated $117.5 billion (£92.8bn) to its economy.

After a steep drop in 2022 to 11.8 million visitors, numbers surged to 28.2 million in 2023.

In 2024, the country was expecting around 36.1 million foreign tourists, with Bangkok remaining one of the top destinations.

And with tourism accounting for over 21% of Thailand’s GDP, the government is keen to maximise revenue while ensuring the country remains an attractive destination for international travellers.

Thailand is the eighth most popular tourist destination in the world and is known for its busy cities, stunning beaches, and world-famous cuisine.

Some of its top attractions include:

• Bangkok – Home to the Grand Palace, Wat Arun temple, and floating markets.
• Phuket – A paradise for beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts.
• Chiang Mai – A historic city with over 100 temples and vibrant nightlife.
• Ayutthaya – A UNESCO World Heritage site with ancient ruins dating back to the 14th century.

Thailand is also famous for its street food culture, with must-try dishes including Pad Thai, Thai green curry, mango sticky rice, and satay skewers.

As far as the weather is concerned, Thailand has warm temperatures all year round.

April is the hottest month, with temperatures reaching 30.5C. December is the coolest month, averaging 21C.

The rainy season runs from June to October, with September seeing the heaviest rainfall. January has the most sunshine.

The UK Government has issued some travel advice for those heading to Thailand. It can be found here.