Thailand delays proposed 1,000-baht tax on overseas departures

Thailand has postponed plans for a 1,000-baht tax on overseas departures, with the government citing economic uncertainty and elevated energy prices linked to the war in the Middle East.

Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas announced the delay on Thursday, 22 October, saying the government wanted to assess economic conditions before proceeding, Khaosod English reported.

The proposed charge would initially apply each time a Thai or foreign traveller leaves Thailand by air. It has not taken effect, and the postponement should not be confused with a reduction in existing airport passenger service charges.

Government seeks to avoid extra travel costs

Ekniti said introducing the tax under current conditions could add to the financial burden on the public and airlines. Foreign tourists would also face the charge when departing Thailand after their visits.

The government expects tourism to remain buoyant in the fourth quarter of 2026 and wants to preserve that momentum, particularly while higher energy costs threaten to affect aviation and tourism.

The minister cited Thailand’s hosting of the 2026 IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings as helping improve the country’s image and encouraging international visitors to consider returning. He also pointed to feedback received during an APEC meeting indicating interest in repeat visits.

Against that background, he said the government considered it inappropriate to impose additional costs at this time.

What the proposal would cover

The Revenue Department had opened a public consultation on the principles of the draft Departure Tax Act, scheduled to run from 30 September to 29 October.

Under the proposal, the initial tax would be 1,000 baht per air departure, while the legislation would allow a maximum rate of 5,000 baht. Departures by land and sea would initially be exempt.

For Thai residents, expatriates and foreign visitors, the important distinction is that the proposal is based on departure from Thailand, rather than applying only to Thai nationals travelling overseas. As drafted, foreign holidaymakers leaving the country by air would also fall within its scope.

The Finance Ministry had asked the Revenue Department to study the measure as part of efforts to improve the use of fiscal resources and increase flexibility in responding to possible future emergencies.

Existing airport charge is separate

The proposed departure tax is one of several distinct travel charges that have featured in recent policy discussions. Airports of Thailand’s international passenger service charge rose from 730 baht to 1,120 baht on 20 June 2026 and is already being collected at its airports.

A separate proposal from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports would charge eligible foreign tourists arriving by air 450 baht. That measure also remained a proposal in the supplied reporting.

The often-cited total of 2,570 baht combines the existing 1,120-baht airport charge with both proposed levies. It is a conditional calculation for eligible travellers subject to all three charges, not a total currently being collected.

Hotels had opposed the departure tax

The delay follows objections from the Thai Hotels Association. Its president, Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, said on 9 October that the association had submitted a letter to the Revenue Department’s director-general opposing the draft.

The association argued that higher costs could weaken travel demand and Thailand’s tourism competitiveness. It also warned that discouraging outbound travel could affect the viability of international routes, potentially reducing flight frequencies and seat capacity for inbound visitors.

Those were industry warnings about possible consequences, rather than established effects. The association called for the draft to be halted in its current form, or for a comprehensive impact assessment and clear revenue projections before it advanced further.

For travellers, the immediate distinction remains straightforward: the 1,000-baht departure tax has been postponed, while the existing airport passenger service charge is a separate, already operating charge.