Photo: Markus Winkler / Pexels
Thailand's proposed 1,000-baht departure tax is on hold. The Finance Ministry is worried it would discourage international travel and hurt tourism. The tax is not approved or implemented, and no new introduction date has been announced. For now, nothing changes for anyone flying out of Thailand, but it could come back later.
What was announced
Deputy PM and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas announced the delay on 22 October 2026. The government is assessing the impact on travellers and airlines.
The original proposal
The draft plan worked like this:
- 1,000 baht per air departure
- Applies to all nationalities, Thai and foreign
- Airlines would collect it together with the ticket price
- Land and sea departures would initially be exempt
The Revenue Department opened a public consultation on 30 September, scheduled to run to 29 October.
Why it was delayed
Several reasons were given:
- Keeping tourism momentum after hosting the IMF and World Bank annual meetings earlier in October
- Expected tourism growth in Q4
- The Middle East conflict, which has raised energy prices and airline operating costs. Another tax would add pressure on airlines and passengers.
Who opposed it
The Association of Thai Travel Agents asked for a delay over higher travel costs. The Thai Hotels Association also opposed the tax, citing weaker competitiveness as a destination.
Legal condition
Any future tax must comply with fiscal discipline rules, including Section 26 of the State Fiscal and Financial Disciplines Act.
The 450-baht entry fee
This is a separate proposal. The 450-baht tourist entry fee is not affected by the postponement and is still under consideration.
Tourism numbers
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul gave these figures:
- 24.42 million foreign visitors from 1 January to 17 October 2026
- About 1.19 trillion baht in tourism revenue
- Top source markets, in order: China, Malaysia, India, Russia, South Korea
What it means for visitors
- No departure tax applies right now. Flight prices and departures are unchanged.
- The tax could return later, so don't treat it as cancelled. If it does, it would likely be added to air tickets.
- The 450-baht entry fee is still possible, so that may come first.
- Overland and sea exits were exempt under the draft anyway.
Information sourced from The Thaiger.