Thailand is considering entry and departure charges that could add 1,450 baht to an eligible foreign visitor’s air trip, raising travel costs as officials seek tourism funding and fiscal flexibility.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports proposes a 450-baht entry fee for eligible foreign visitors arriving by air. Separately, the Revenue Department proposes taxing nonexempt travelers leaving Thailand by air 1,000 baht each, regardless of nationality. Neither charge is in force.
The departure-tax draft exempts children two or younger and international transit passengers who remain in designated transit areas. Land and sea departures would initially be exempt. The draft permits a rate as high as 5,000 baht, although its initial air departure rate is 1,000 baht. Carriers or ticket agents would generally collect the tax through fares; tickets purchased before the law takes effect would be exempt.
Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) already collects a 1,120-baht passenger service charge from outbound international passengers at its six airports. If both proposals take effect at their stated rates, a foreign visitor who owes the entry fee and later makes a nonexempt international departure through one of those airports would face 2,570 baht across the three charges.
The tourism ministry proposes collecting the entry fee from air arrivals first and deferring collection at land and sea crossings for one year. It intends to use the revenue for insurance covering visitors who pay the fee and for restoration and development at tourism sites. Private-sector participants asked for a rate that would not discourage travel and for clear accounts of how the money is spent.
The 1983 Emergency Decree on Departure Tax established an earlier levy. A subsequent regulation exempted air travelers from collection beginning July 1, 1991. The Revenue Department says its proposal would extend liability beyond the Thai nationals and permanent residents covered by the earlier rules. The Finance Ministry requested the review to give the government more fiscal flexibility during potential emergencies, the department said.
Association of Thai Travel Agents President Thanapol Cheewarattanaporn said his group wants the Finance Ministry to delay the departure-tax bill while it assesses effects on travelers, tourism businesses and flights, Thansettakij reported after interviewing him. The Tourism Authority of Thailand recorded 23.4 million international arrivals between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30, 2026, and forecasts 33 million for the full year.
After reviewing feedback, the tourism ministry plans to seek approval from the national tourism policy committee, followed by the Cabinet. It has not announced dates for either step. Neither proposal specifies a calendar start date. If enacted, the departure tax would take effect 180 days after publication in the Government Gazette. Public comments on its draft are due Oct. 29, 2026.
