Thailand to Charge Air Travellers New Entry Fee: What Indian Tourists Need to Know

• Thailand's incoming government plans to introduce a 300 Thai baht entry fee for foreign tourists arriving by air.
• The fee, approximately ₹860 for Indian travellers, will apply exclusively to air arrivals; land and sea entry are exempt.
• The proposal aims to support tourism infrastructure, visitor management, and safety, with collection expected to be digital.
• This long-pending plan is being fast-tracked, with the government believing tourism has recovered sufficiently to absorb the charge.
• The government is also considering merging the Ministry of Tourism and Sports with the Ministry of Culture for a cohesive strategy.