Articles · Fees & rules
Thailand National Park Fees for Foreigners in 2026, Explained
Thailand’s national parks charge foreign visitors more than Thai citizens. The system is open and official: it is published by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. The prices, though, are often misreported. Here is what you will actually pay.
The standard bands
Since 7 June 2022, each park has been placed in one of four fee bands.
| Band | Foreign adult | Foreign child | Thai adult / child | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100 baht (about £2.25) | 50 | 20 / 10 | Doi Suthep–Pui |
| 2 | 200 baht (about £4.50) | 100 | 40 / 20 | Khao Yai (standard rate), Khao Sok |
| 3 | 300 baht (about £6.75) | 150 | 60 / 30 | Doi Inthanon |
| 4 | 500 baht (about £11.20) | 250 | 100 / 50 | Mu Ko Similan, Mu Ko Surin |
The department defines a child as someone aged 3 to 14, or no taller than 140 cm. Children under 3 enter free, as do monks and disabled visitors. “Foreigner” means anyone without Thai nationality, whatever their residence status.
The higher-rate areas
Several of the most visited areas charge more than their park’s band. These rates come from a department announcement dated 19 September 2022:
| Park | Area covered | Foreign adult / child |
|---|---|---|
| Khao Yai | Noen Hom to Pak Chong gates, which cover most visitors | 400 / 200 baht |
| Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi | Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Leh, Bamboo Island | 400 / 200 baht |
| Mu Ko Lanta | Koh Rok, Koh Ngai, Koh Ha, Hin Daeng–Hin Muang | 400 / 200 baht |
| Khao Laem Ya–Mu Ko Samet | Koh Talu, Koh Kudee, Koh Kham–Koh Kruai | 300 / 150 baht |
| Mu Ko Ang Thong | Koh Wua Talap, Koh Mae Koh | 300 / 150 baht |
A note on 2026 reports. Some articles published this year describe these 400-baht rates as new 2026 increases. We could not find any 2026 announcement that supports this. Khao Yai’s own fee page and the department’s 2022 announcement both date the rates to September 2022. If a new schedule is published, we will update this page.
What else to budget for
- Vehicles are charged separately. At Khao Yai, for example, motorcycles pay 20 baht and cars 30 baht.
- Tickets are usually valid for one park on one day. At Khao Yai, a ticket covers entry and exit on a single day only.
- Camping, bungalows and some activities have their own charges.
- On boat tours, ask whether the park fee is included. Many operators quote prices without it. A Phi Phi or Ang Thong day trip can cost 300 to 400 baht more per adult than the advertised price.
Paying
Gates take cash. The larger parks also sell tickets through the department’s own e-ticket system. Carry enough cash for the full amount and for vehicles, since some gates are far from any ATM. Bring your passport, because foreign tickets and online bookings may ask for it.
You may hear that a Thai work permit or driving licence entitles you to the Thai rate. There is no departmental rule that grants this, and practice is reported to vary from gate to gate. Budget for the foreign rate. Gate staff do not set prices, so pay what is posted.
Not the same as the tourist fee
The proposed 450-baht foreign tourist fee is a separate charge on arrival in Thailand, and it is not yet in force. It has nothing to do with park entry. If it is introduced, it will not cover park fees, and park fees will not cover it. Its current status is set out in our travel fees tracker.
For how park fees fit into a whole trip, see What Thailand Really Costs in 2026, in Pounds.
Sources
All checked 17 October 2026.
- Khao Yai National Park: official entry fees page, covering the band rate from 7 June 2022, the Noen Hom and Pak Chong gate rate from 19 September 2022, vehicle fees and single-day validity. khaoyainationalpark.com
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (Thai): reproduction of the DNP announcement of 19 September 2022 on special-rate areas. It covers the areas, rates, child definition and exemptions, and defines a foreigner as a person without Thai nationality. thai.tourismthailand.org
- Department of National Parks: fee bands effective 7 June 2022 (Thai). news.dnp.go.th/news/17112. We could not open this page directly. The band figures are confirmed by Khao Yai’s official page for band 2, and by BAANLYY, which cites the Royal Gazette regulation of 9 December 2021.
- Exchange rate: Xe GBP/THB mid-market, 17 Oct 2026, 08:39 UTC (15:39 UTC+7).