Thailand pauses proposed ฿1,000 departure tax over tourism concerns

Thailand will not proceed for now with a proposed ฿1,000 tax on departures by air, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said on October 22. The Finance Ministry is assessing whether the extra cost could deter international travel and hurt tourism.

The proposal would require Thai nationals and foreign visitors to pay the charge whenever they fly out of Thailand. Airlines would collect it when tickets are purchased, while people leaving by land or sea would initially face no charge.

The Revenue Department began seeking public feedback on September 30, with consultation scheduled to end on October 29. The levy has neither received approval nor taken effect, and the government has given no revised start date.

Ekniti said the government wanted to preserve tourism momentum after Thailand hosted the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank earlier in October. He also pointed to the Middle East conflict’s effects on energy prices and airlines’ operating expenses, warning that another tax could increase financial pressure on carriers and passengers.

The Association of Thai Travel Agents had sought a delay because of concerns about travel costs. The Thai Hotels Association also objected, saying extra charges could make Thailand less competitive as a destination.

The pause does not extend to the separate proposed ฿450 tourist entry fee, which is still being considered. Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul reported 24.42 million foreign visitors from January 1 to October 17, generating approximately ฿1.19 trillion in tourism revenue.