Thai travel agents seek delay to proposed ฿1,000 departure tax
The proposed levy remains under public consultation until October 29. Travel agents want an economic assessment before the government proceeds.
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) is asking Thailand’s Finance Ministry to postpone a proposed ฿1,000 tax on international air departures pending a broader economic review. The association agreed to submit a formal objection setting out six concerns, warning that higher costs could hurt travellers, airlines and small businesses.
The Revenue Department is consulting the public on the draft Departure Tax Act from September 30 to October 29. The proposal covers people departing Thailand regardless of nationality, starting with a ฿1,000 charge per air passenger. The legislation would permit a maximum of ฿5,000, while departures by land or sea would be exempt initially. The measure has neither received approval nor taken effect.
ATTA Secretary-General Adith Chairattananon said the levy would burden people travelling for education, work, business or investment, not just holidays. The association argued that a uniform charge would weigh disproportionately on families, students and small businesses with limited budgets, including households and businesses recovering from recent flooding.
ATTA also questioned the cumulative effect of travel fees. Airports of Thailand raised its international passenger service charge from ฿730 to ฿1,120 on June 20 at six major airports, including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Phuket. Separately, the government is considering a ฿450 foreign tourist entry fee, targeting collection from eligible air arrivals in 2027. That fee also remains a proposal.
The association warned that weaker demand could lead airlines to cut frequencies, capacity or planned routes. Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas previously argued that the departure tax could encourage domestic holidays and retain tourism spending in Thailand. ATTA wants tourism, transport and business representatives involved in assessing effects on jobs, spending, competitiveness and other tax receipts, alongside alternative revenue measures that would not raise costs for travellers or small businesses.
