Politics · Other · 22 hrs ago
Thailand delays planned 1,000-baht departure tax
Thailand has postponed a proposed 1,000-baht tax on departing air passengers.
The levy was planned for passengers of every nationality, and reports say it would have been added to air tickets.
Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the government wants tourism to keep growing and does not want to add costs at a difficult time.
Higher energy prices and airline operating costs linked to tensions in the Middle East also influenced the decision.
A Thai travel agents' association warned the tax could reduce annual tourism revenue by 50 billion to 150 billion baht, while the Finance Ministry estimated the levy could raise about $1.36 billion a year.
The proposal is separate from a planned 450-baht fee for foreign visitors, which remains under consideration by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
The departure tax has been delayed, and no new start date is given.
Thailand has delayed a planned 1,000-baht departure tax on air passengers of any nationality.
Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanpraphat said the government did not want to add barriers to tourism.
The decision also took account of higher energy prices and airline operating costs amid tensions in the Middle East.
The Thai travel agents association warned the tax could reduce annual tourism revenue by 50 billion to 150 billion baht.
A separate 450-baht entry fee for foreign visitors remains under discussion and is planned for 2027.
- Who
- Thailand’s Finance Ministry, led by Ekniti Nitithanpraphat, delayed the tax.
- What
- A planned 1,000-baht departure tax on air passengers has been put off.
- When
- The delay was reported on October 22 and 23, 2026.
- Where
- Thailand.
- Why
- Officials said they wanted tourism to keep developing and cited energy costs and pressures on airlines amid Middle East tensions.
Thai Finance Ministry
Thai travel agents association
Impact on tourism
Thai Finance Ministry
The ministry said it wanted tourism to continue developing and delayed the tax.
Thai travel agents association
The association warned the tax could reduce annual tourism revenue by 50 billion to 150 billion baht.
Reports said Thailand was considering a 1,000-baht tax on air passengers.
The finance minister said the government had decided to delay the tax after discussions with the Revenue Department.
Interfax reported that the delay also reflected resistance from the Thai travel agents association and rising energy and airline costs.
- Departure tax
- 1,000 baht per air passenger
- Association's estimated tourism revenue impact
- 50 billion to 150 billion baht annually
- Separate entry fee
- 450 baht for foreign visitors
- Tourists welcomed, Jan. 1–Oct. 17, 2026
- 24.42 million
- Tourism revenue, Jan. 1–Oct. 17, 2026
- 1.19 trillion baht
3 sources
What people are saying
Пока не будем давать ход сбору, поскольку хотим, чтобы туристическая отрасль продолжала развиваться
Мы хотим, чтобы туризм продолжал развиваться... Туристы со всего мире хотят вернуться к нам в Таиланд, и мы хотим сохранить эту позитивную атмосферу