7th October 2025 - 3 min read
Malaysians planning their next trip to Thailand may soon need to factor in an additional cost. The Thai government is preparing to introduce a 300-baht (around RM39) entry fee for foreign tourists, including Malaysians, as part of its plan to boost tourism safety and infrastructure.
The new fee is expected to take effect within the first four months of the current Thai government’s term.
For most Malaysians, Thailand remains one of the most affordable and accessible holiday destinations. From quick weekend trips to Hat Yai and Krabi to longer stays in Bangkok or Phuket, the exchange rate and proximity make it an easy getaway.
However, the upcoming 300-baht charge will add to overall travel expenses, especially for families or frequent cross-border travellers. A family of four, for example, could see roughly RM160 added to their total travel cost, on top of accommodation, fuel, and shopping expenses.
According to Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Atthakorn Sirilatthayakorn, the new fee will fund improvements to tourist safety, insurance coverage, and infrastructure.
“The government wants tourists to understand that this fee is for their benefit — it will go towards welfare, safety, and convenience,” he said.
The funds will be managed under a dedicated tourism and sports fund to support emergency response, accident coverage, and tourism development.
The 300-baht fee will apply to all foreign visitors entering Thailand by air, land, or sea. Previously, there were discussions to impose only 150 baht for land and sea arrivals, but the new proposal standardises it at 300 baht across the board.
For travellers entering by land, a common route for Malaysians driving or taking buses from Kedah, Perlis, or Kelantan, the fee will cover multiple entries within 30 to 60 days. Final implementation details, including payment methods and insurance benefits, will be confirmed later.
Thailand hopes the move will strengthen its tourism sector while reducing the government’s cost of compensating tourists affected by accidents or emergencies.
The country welcomed nearly 24 million international visitors between January and September 2025, generating about 1.11 trillion baht (RM144 billion) in tourism revenue.
Malaysians remain Thailand’s top source of visitors, with 3.46 million arrivals recorded during that period, ahead of China, India, Russia, and South Korea.
While RM39 may not seem like much, it adds to the broader picture of rising travel costs across the region. Between higher airfares, fluctuating exchange rates, and new tourism taxes, Malaysians may start rethinking how often they travel abroad or how much they spend once there.
For now, Thailand remains a favourite among Malaysian travellers for its food, culture, and affordability. But with this new entry fee on the horizon, your next trip across the border might cost just a little bit more.
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Samuel writes about personal finance and financial news, focusing on how banking updates, policies, and promotions affect everyday money decisions. He enjoys making complicated financial topics easier to follow. Outside of writing, he spends his time watching TV shows and occasionally convincing himself he will only watch one episode.
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