Photo: Markus Winkler / Pexels
A Thai actor's complaint about a 5,050 baht "Airport Departure Tax" on a Bangkok to Vientiane ticket has people asking what is actually in that line. According to the itemised breakdown, more than half of it (2,650 baht) is airline-imposed, not a government tax. The rest is made up of several airport and border fees. Thailand's proposed 1,000 baht departure tax is still only a proposal and is not in this booking. Here is what the numbers show and what it means when you book a flight out.
What happened
Thai actor Duke Phanudet Watnasuchart reportedly posted on social media on 9 October 2026 about a December flight from Bangkok to Vientiane, Laos. His booking showed a 7,040 baht base fare plus 5,050 baht labelled "Airport Departure Tax", for a total of 12,090 baht.
He said he had paid about 2,365 baht in combined taxes and fees for the same route in August. The original post appears to have been deleted, so the details come from Thai media reports that reproduced it, including Kapook. Some people linked the jump to Thailand's proposed 1,000 baht departure tax.
What is in the 5,050 baht
The line items add up correctly, and they show the 5,050 baht is not a single government tax.
| Item | Baht |
|---|---|
| YQAC airline surcharge | 2,300 |
| Other airline fee | 350 |
| International passenger service charge (AOT) | 1,120 |
| Separate airport fee | 510 |
| Border clearance charge | 650 |
| Passenger information and international travel processing fees | 120 |
The two airline items (2,300 + 350) come to 2,650 baht. The four airport and other items (1,120 + 510 + 650 + 120) come to 2,400 baht. So more than half of the amount labelled "Airport Departure Tax" is imposed by the airline.
The AOT charge increase
Airports of Thailand (AOT) raised its international passenger service charge from 730 to 1,120 baht on 20 June 2026. It applies to international departures from six AOT airports, including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Phuket.
That increase was already in force for Duke's August trip, so it does not fully explain the difference between his two bookings. Changes to airline surcharges or other ticket-specific fees may also have contributed.
The proposed 1,000 baht departure tax
This one is still only a proposal. It would apply to travellers of all nationalities leaving Thailand by air. The Revenue Department opened public consultation on 30 September 2026, and feedback is accepted until 29 October 2026.
It is not approved, so it is not part of Duke's booking. The Thai Hotels Association opposes it. It warns that extra travel charges could discourage visitors and hurt Thailand's tourism competitiveness.
What this means for travellers
- A line labelled "airport tax" on a ticket can include airline surcharges (here, 2,650 of 5,050 baht) and several airport fees. It is not necessarily a government tax.
- The 1,000 baht departure tax is only a proposal, with consultation open until 29 October 2026. Nothing is charged yet.
- Costs have already risen. The AOT passenger service charge went from 730 to 1,120 baht on 20 June 2026 at the six AOT airports.
- Check the itemised price breakdown before booking. Regional routes such as Bangkok to Vientiane can carry large surcharges (YQAC was 2,300 baht on this one).
- Fees vary by airline and booking, so compare fares and fee breakdowns across carriers.
Information sourced from The Thaiger.