Thailand considers ฿1,000 departure tax for air passengers
The proposal would cover Thai citizens and foreign travellers alike, while departures by land and sea would initially be exempt.
Thailand’s Finance Ministry is weighing an initial ฿1,000 (US$30) tax on air departures, with public consultation on the draft legislation due to close by Oct. 29. The measure has not been approved and is not currently in force.
According to The Nation, the draft sets a ceiling of ฿5,000 for each departure. Travellers leaving by land or sea would initially pay no tax. The Star reported that the charge would apply across nationalities, covering Thai citizens, foreign residents and international visitors.
Passengers would need to pay before departure. Airlines and ticketing agents would normally collect the tax at the time of ticket purchase. The proposal would also affect international passenger transport companies, airport operators and government agencies overseeing international travel.
Failure to pay the tax or pass on collections could bring a penalty of twice the unpaid sum. An additional surcharge of 1.5% would apply for every month, including partial months, that the payment is overdue.
The ministry said the proposal aims to improve public-resource use under Thailand’s fiscal discipline framework and provide flexibility for possible future emergencies. The Revenue Department said departures are currently tax-exempt. If approved, the law would take effect 180 days following publication in the Government Gazette.
