BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand’s state-controlled airport operator confirmed a steep 53 percent increase in international passenger charges from June 20, 2026, raising concerns about travel costs as visitor numbers declined.
Sharp fee increase and timing
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, the international departure fee rose from 730 to 1,120 baht per passenger, an increase of 390 baht. The higher charge applied to all outbound international flights from June 20, 2026, including return tickets booked earlier if travel took place after that date.
Regulatory approval and government role
The Civil Aviation Board had approved the new fee on December 3, 2025, in a meeting chaired by Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn from the Bhumjaithai-led government. The decision followed a request from Airports of Thailand (AOT), which cited greater funding needs for projects and ongoing operating costs.
Airports covered and domestic flights exempt
The new Passenger Service Charge applied to all international departures from the six AOT airports: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and Chiang Rai, which together handled around 35 million outbound passengers a year. The domestic departure fee remained unchanged at 130 baht, meaning only holders of international tickets were affected by the increase.
Collection through tickets and procedural steps
The amount continued to be embedded in the ticket price, so travellers did not pay it separately at the airport but saw it listed as a distinct item on their ticket breakdown. Before final implementation, AOT still had to gather comments from relevant stakeholders, submit documentation to the transport minister and officially publish the new fee at least four months before it took effect so airlines and travel agents could adjust their systems.
Falling arrivals and political backlash
The rise came as foreign arrivals were under pressure: in 2025 Thailand recorded 33 million visitors, a 7.2 percent decline from 2024, and by February 15, 2026, arrivals were another 7.53 percent lower. Former Democrat Party deputy leader Samart Ratchapolsitte sharply criticised the move, saying it would make Suvarnabhumi and other Thai airports significantly more expensive than several major global hubs despite Suvarnabhumi ranking only 39th in the latest Skytrax survey.
International comparisons and service questions
Samart noted that the new charge remained below Singapore Changi’s level of about 1,600 baht, but would put Suvarnabhumi above airports such as Doha Hamad and Tokyo Haneda at around 600 baht, Seoul Incheon at about 370 baht, Tokyo Narita at around 640 baht and Hong Kong at roughly 800 baht. He questioned what concrete improvements passengers could expect in return, including shorter queues at immigration and security, faster baggage handling, more seating, adequate toilets, reliable high-speed Wi-Fi and functioning self check-in and biometric systems.
“What specific service improvements can passengers expect in return for this higher fee?”
said Samart Ratchapolsitte, former deputy leader of the Democrat Party.
Impact on ticket prices and competitiveness
Samart also warned of consequences for low-cost routes, estimating that the 390-baht surcharge could raise fares on typical four- to five-hour sectors currently priced at 4,000 to 5,000 baht by roughly 7 to 10 percent. He cautioned that this could erode the price attractiveness of Thailand as a destination, push some holidaymakers towards cheaper alternatives and have long-term effects on tourism revenue.
AOT’s justification: costs, investment and global norms
AOT president Paweena Jariyathitipong said internal studies showed the fee accounted for only a small share of total travel expenses and the company did not expect a fundamental change in booking behaviour. She stressed rising spending on maintenance, security technology and digital systems at Suvarnabhumi as a long-haul hub, at the heavily used Don Mueang and at key tourist airports in Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and Chiang Rai.
“According to our studies, the charge represents only a minor portion of overall travel costs, so we do not foresee a major shift in passenger booking patterns,”
said Paweena Jariyathitipong, AOT president.
Revenue projections and South Terminal project
The higher fee was expected to generate around 13 billion baht in the 2027 fiscal year, up from earlier estimates of about 10 billion baht annually. A significant share of the funds was earmarked for construction of a new South Terminal at Suvarnabhumi, a project valued at more than 200 billion baht, while AOT also aimed to improve its cost structure, cut borrowing and lower interest expenses to strengthen financial resilience.
Duty-free decline and treatment of transit passengers
The adjustment came amid falling duty-free revenues and a growing proportion of short-haul travellers with lower spending, which pressured non-aeronautical income at the airports. AOT pointed out that more than 90 percent of airports worldwide charged fees to both departing and transit passengers, while Thailand so far levied charges only on departures and thus belonged to about 5 percent of locations that did not collect from transit guests, which the company argued limited long-term revenue potential.
One of the largest hikes in years
The 390-baht rise was described as one of the largest increases in the international departure fee in recent years and would apply to every outbound passenger at the six AOT airports. With approval already granted by the Civil Aviation Board, AOT’s implementation confirmed and airlines preparing to adjust booking systems, it was set that travellers would automatically pay the higher charge as part of their ticket price from June 20, 2026.