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Proposed: a 300-baht arrival fee
- What this page says now
- No arrival or tourism fee is charged on entry, and none appears in the costs on this page.
- What it is proposed to change to
- 300 baht for arrivals by air and 150 baht for arrivals by land or sea, described by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports as returning to Cabinet for a decision on how it would be collected.
No Thai government source for this has been found. Everything cited below is a news outlet or a private operator.
This proposal has been announced and postponed repeatedly since 2022. There is no Cabinet approval, no Royal Gazette entry and no start date. Budget for it if you like, but do not plan around a date, because nobody has published one.
The page below has not been changed on the strength of this, and will not be until Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand or Tourism Authority of Thailand publishes it. BAANLYY publishes what the Thai government publishes, not what is expected of it.
Source for the change: The Nation — Why Thailand is reviving its 300-baht tourist fee plan (not a government source).
Check it yourself: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand · Tourism Authority of Thailand. Sources last re-read 4 September 2026. BAANLYY is not a law firm or an immigration adviser and this is not legal advice.
Best forShort visits and trial trips before committing to a longer visa or lease.
DurationExemption 30 days (from 15 Sep 2026) · TR e-Visa 60 days · both extendable +30
CostFree (exempt) to ~THB 2,000 (tourist visa/extension)
RenewalsOne 30-day extension typical; then border run or switch visa.
ReportingTM30 if staying at a residence; no 90-day report for short stays.
One of eight Thailand routes
Is the Tourist Visa & Visa Exemption the one you should be reading?
This guide covers one route of eight. Answer seven short questions and see the two or three routes worth checking for your situation — each with the money it asks for, what it costs, and the Thai government page that requirement comes from. Signposting only: it decides nothing about your status, and it is not legal or immigration advice.
See which routes to check →Who qualifies
- Nationality on the 30-day tourism exemption list (60 countries and territories from 15 September 2026), or a bilateral treaty entitlement, or apply for a tourist e-Visa.
- Onward/return travel and funds as requested.
- Genuine tourism intent — the new exemption covers TOURISM only. The repealed 60-day scheme also covered short-term work and business; that wording has been dropped.
Requirements
- Passport (6+ months).
- Proof of funds / onward ticket (sometimes requested).
- Accommodation details.
Step-by-step
- Check your nationality's current entitlement — the lists were revised on 15 September 2026.
- Enter visa-exempt or apply for the tourist e-Visa.
- Extend once at Immigration if you need more time.
- Use the time to scout areas and view homes, then plan your long-stay visa.
Documents you'll need
- Passport
- Onward ticket (if asked)
- Funds proof (if asked)
- Accommodation booking
Common mistakes to avoid
- Planning around the 60-day exemption. It ended on 15 September 2026 and was replaced by 30 days.
- Assuming land borders reset indefinitely — exemption entries by land are capped at TWICE per calendar year (Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore nationals excepted). Entries by air are not capped.
- Back-to-back border runs — Immigration scrutinises frequent re-entries.
- Overstaying (fines and bans).
- Assuming you can work or run a business — you cannot.
FAQ
How long can I stay as a tourist?
It depends which door you use. On the tourism visa exemption, nationals of 60 listed countries and territories get 30 days on arrival from 15 September 2026 (Seychelles and Mauritius get 15), extendable once by 30 days at Immigration. A single-entry tourist (TR) e-Visa is unchanged at 60 days, also extendable +30, and each METV entry is likewise 60+30. Separate bilateral treaties give some nationalities 14, 30 or 90 days regardless of these lists. Confirm your passport's current entitlement with an official Thai source before booking.
What changes on 15 September 2026?
Thailand repeals the special-case 60-day visa exemption that has covered 93 countries and territories since 15 July 2024, and replaces it with a 30-day tourism exemption for 60 countries and territories. Seychelles and Mauritius get a 15-day exemption; visa on arrival is cut to Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia. Exemption entries at land borders are capped at twice per calendar year, with no cap by air. The four Ministry of Interior notifications were published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026 and take effect 15 days later.
Is a tourist stay enough to rent a condo?
Yes, you can rent — but for a long lease and TM30/address reporting, a longer-stay visa is smoother. Use a tourist stay to scout first. With the exemption dropping to 30 days from 60 on 15 September 2026, there is less runway to view, decide and move in on a single entry, so plan viewings tightly or come in on a TR e-Visa.
Official source
Verify current rules at thaievisa.go.th. Then find your home: browse residences →
Sources & References
- thaievisa.go.th
- Immigration Bureau, Royal Thai Police
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand
- Tourism Authority of Thailand
Primary and official sources are cited above. Government rules, fees and procedures in Thailand change over time and vary by office; always confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before relying on them. BAANLYY never takes paid placement in editorial content.
← All Thailand visas · Transparency hub →
General information for 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Rules change — confirm with thaievisa.go.th or a licensed visa agent before applying.
Founder of BAANLYY · International real estate broker, investor & relocation specialist
Last updated 31 August 2026 · Last reviewed 31 August 2026
Last verified 31 Aug 2026 against Royal Gazette 31 August 2026 exemption notices cited in visas.ts