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Thailand is considering a 1,000-baht departure tax on international air passengers, but it hasn't been approved or implemented. The Revenue Department is running a public consultation on the draft Departure Tax Act until 29 October 2026. The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) plans to object formally and wants the measure delayed. For now nothing changes for visitors leaving Koh Lanta and Thailand, but costs of flying in and out are already creeping up.
What is being proposed
The idea is a 1,000-baht tax on international air passengers leaving Thailand. It would apply to travellers of all nationalities. At first it would cover air departures only, so land and sea departures would be exempt initially. The draft Departure Tax Act allows the rate to go up to 5,000 baht.
The Revenue Department's public consultation on the draft runs from 30 September to 29 October 2026. It is still a draft, so it could be altered, delayed or dropped.
Why travel agents are objecting
ATTA has agreed to file a formal objection and wants the Finance Ministry to delay the measure and commission a full economic assessment first. ATTA Secretary-General Adith Chairattananon said the charge would be an unnecessary burden on travellers, particularly those travelling for education, work, business or investment.
ATTA's arguments include:
- A flat charge hits families, students and small businesses on tight budgets hardest.
- Travellers going abroad for study, work, business or investment are burdened, not just leisure travellers.
- Higher costs could cut demand, lowering airline load factors and possibly flight frequency, capacity or routes.
- Households and small businesses are still recovering from recent flooding, so the timing is poor.
- More than 13 million Thai outbound travellers support trade, investment and people-to-people ties, especially with Japan and China. Restricting outbound travel could damage those ties and the wider tourism economy.
- The assessment should cover job losses, consumer spending, business competitiveness and other tax revenue, not just the new tax's income.
- The government should look at alternative revenue sources that don't raise costs for travellers and small businesses.
What the government has said
Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas earlier defended the idea. His argument was that the tax could encourage Thais to holiday domestically and keep tourism spending in the country.
Other costs already in the picture
Airports of Thailand (AOT) raised the international passenger service charge from 730 to 1,120 baht on 20 June. That is an increase of 390 baht, and it applies at six major airports, including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Phuket.
There is also a separate proposal for a 450-baht entry fee for foreign tourists. It would be collected from eligible air arrivals and is targeted for 2027. It is still only a proposal.
| Charge | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|
| International passenger service charge (AOT) | 1,120 baht (up from 730) | In effect since 20 June |
| Departure tax on air passengers | 1,000 baht (law allows up to 5,000) | Draft, in consultation |
| Entry fee for foreign tourists | 450 baht | Proposal, targeted for 2027 |
What this means for you
- Nothing changes yet. The departure tax is a draft, so you don't need to budget for it on a current trip.
- If it passes, flying out would initially cost 1,000 baht more per person, and the law allows for up to 5,000 baht later. Leaving by land or sea would be exempt at first.
- Both new charges together: if the departure tax and the entry fee both pass, they would add roughly 1,450 baht per person for a round trip. That is simple addition, not a figure from the source article.
- Fewer flights are possible, not certain. Reduced demand leading to fewer flights or routes is ATTA's warning, not a confirmed outcome.
- Expect a wait. The consultation closes on 29 October 2026, so the final rules may not be clear for a while.
Information sourced from The Thaiger.