BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand’s main airport operator announced a 53% increase in the passenger service charge for outbound international travelers at six major airports from June 20, 2026.
Higher charges for international departures
The new Passenger Service Charge raised the fee for international departures from 730 to 1,120 baht per person and continued to be included in the ticket price. It applied to flights leaving Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Hat Yai, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. According to Airports of Thailand (AOT), the domestic passenger charge remained unchanged at 130 baht, so the increase affected only international traffic.
Regulator approval and operator’s rationale
The Civil Aviation Board approved the adjustment on 3 December 2025, AOT president Paweena Jariyathitipong confirmed on Friday. She cited studies indicating that the PSC share was small compared with overall ticket and travel costs and was therefore unlikely to alter passengers’ travel decisions.
Billions earmarked for new terminal and finances
AOT expected to generate about 13 billion baht in additional revenue in the fiscal year ending in 2027 from the higher charge, to be used as investment capital for future projects. A key focus was the planned construction of a new south terminal at Suvarnabhumi Airport, with a project volume of more than 200 billion baht, intended to expand capacity and ease bottlenecks over the long term.
Argument of international practice and fee structure
The largely state-owned operator stressed that the extra income was meant to improve its cost structure, reduce reliance on loans and interest burdens, and strengthen financial resilience, rather than maximise profits. AOT also pointed out that more than 90% of airports worldwide levied fees on both departing and transit or transfer passengers, while Thailand continued to charge only departing travelers and was therefore forgoing long-term potential.
Criticism over service quality and global comparison
Former Democrat Party deputy leader Samart Ratchapolsitte questioned the increase in principle and argued that the key issue was the value passengers received.
“The decisive factor is less the amount of the fee than the return for travelers,”
said Samart, former deputy leader of the Democrat Party. He warned that the fee at Suvarnabhumi would, after the adjustment, in some cases exceed levels at many of the world’s leading hubs, even though the airport ranked only 39th in the latest Skytrax survey.
Concerns over ticket prices and competitiveness
Samart referred to benchmark charges at major airports such as Changi in Singapore at around 1,600 baht, and Hamad in Doha, Tokyo Haneda, Seoul Incheon, Tokyo Narita and Hong Kong, where fees ranged between roughly 370 and 800 baht. He estimated that low-cost fares on typical four- to five-hour routes, priced at 4,000 to 5,000 baht, could rise by about 7–10% as a result of the PSC increase, which could erode Thailand’s price appeal and divert tourists to cheaper destinations.
Call for visible improvements for passengers
Samart argued that PSC revenues had to be channelled transparently into concrete service upgrades, including shorter queues at immigration and security, faster baggage systems, enough seating and toilets, reliable high-speed Wi-Fi, and fully functioning self check-in and biometric systems.
“If passengers can clearly see the improvements, most are willing to pay,”
said Samart, former deputy leader of the Democrat Party. He added that higher prices were not a problem in themselves as long as they delivered genuine added value for travelers.