It will cost soon more money for passengers flying out of Thailand. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn just agreed with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) for raising the Passenger Service Charge (PSC) for international departures at the six airports operated by Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT).
The increase will be particularly painful: The fee will jump from 730 baht to 1,120 baht per traveler, equivalent to an increase of 53. 4%. It is slated to take effect in early 2026.
Officials however said that AOT will need time to compile additional data and review the plan with regulators before submitting the final proposal. Once it clears the approval process, the higher fee will be implemented roughly four months later — meaning passengers flying out of Thailand at the end of the first quarter of 2026 can expect to pay 390 baht more.
AOT projects the revised charge will generate about 10 billion baht in extra annual revenue, based on the roughly 35 million international passengers who move through its six airports each year.
The funds will be channeled into service upgrades, most notably the expansion of Suvarnabhumi Airport through construction of a new South Passenger Terminal. The PSC additional charge should bring THB 10 billion (US$313.5 million) to AOT, which promises to use the money supplement to upgrade airports…
AOT’s six airports are Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and -Don Mueang (DMK), Chiang Mai (CNX), Chiang Rai (CEI), Phuket (HKT), and Hat Yai (HDY).
The CAAT also approved higher service fees for airports managed by the Department of Airports (DOA): up to 425 baht per international flight, compared with 400 baht currently, and 75 baht per domestic flight, up from 50 baht.
The new DOA charges will apply at its airports. That includes, among others, Krabi, Surat Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phitsanulok and Trang. As with AOT, the fee changes will require CAAT approval, and travelers must receive at least four months’ notice.
