Thailand to raise departure charges by 53% at six international airports from June 2026: What travellers need to know

Thailand to increase international departure charges by 53% at six major airports from June 20, 2026; fee to be included in ticket prices.

• Thailand to raise international airport fee by 53% from June 2026
• New fee applies to six major airports, included in ticket price
• Domestic departure charges remain unchanged at 130 baht

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Passengers flying out of Thailand on international routes will soon pay significantly higher airport departure charges. Airports of Thailand (AOT) has announced a 53% increase in the Passenger Service Charge (PSC) for outbound international travellers, effective June 20, 2026.

The revised fee, approved by Thailand’s Civil Aviation Board in December 2025, will increase from 730 baht (approximately Rs 2,133) to 1,120 baht (approximately Rs 3,273) per passenger. The domestic passenger service charge will remain unchanged at 130 baht.

Where the new fee will apply

The higher PSC will apply to all international departures from six major airports operated by Airports of Thailand:

Suvarnabhumi Airport

Don Mueang International Airport

Phuket International Airport

Chiang Mai International Airport

Hat Yai International Airport

Chiang Rai International Airport

The charge will be automatically included in the ticket price at the time of booking. Passengers will not be required to pay separately at the airport.

Why the fee is being increased

According to AOT, the revision is aimed at funding infrastructure upgrades and expanding airport capacity to accommodate rising passenger traffic. Thailand has seen a strong rebound in international tourism, with authorities expecting further growth in the coming years.

Funds raised through the higher PSC will support:

• Expansion of terminal capacity.
• Modernisation of baggage handling systems.
• Improved passenger services and check-in facilities.
• Upgrades to airport infrastructure.

Impact on travellers

While the increase is substantial in percentage terms, industry observers note that the actual impact on total airfare may be limited since the fee is bundled into ticket prices. However, budget travellers and passengers flying on low-cost carriers could feel the cost adjustment more acutely.

Thailand continues to remain one of Southeast Asia’s most popular travel destinations, attracting millions of visitors annually. Authorities maintain that even after the hike, airport charges remain competitive compared with regional hubs.

What travellers should know

The revised PSC applies only to international outbound passengers from June 20, 2026.

Domestic departure charges remain unchanged.

The fee will be reflected in ticket prices at the time of booking.

For travellers planning international trips from Thailand beyond June 2026, factoring in the revised airport charge while comparing airfares will be important.