Thailand Considers New 1,000 Baht Departure Tax for Air Travelers

Thailand’s Ministry of Finance is exploring a new 1,000-baht departure tax for individuals flying out of the country. This proposed fee is intended to create a new source of state revenue. The tax would apply to all air travelers, regardless of nationality, including tourists, foreign residents, and Thai citizens. As of October 8, 2026, this tax is not yet in effect, and a public consultation period is underway to gather feedback.

The proposal aims to encourage domestic travel among Thai residents and keep tourism spending within the country. If approved, the new law would take effect 180 days after its official publication in the Royal Gazette.

Proposed Tax Structure and Collection

The draft legislation suggests an initial departure tax of 1,000 baht per person. However, it also includes a provision that would allow the rate to increase to a maximum of 5,000 baht per departure in the future. This fee would be collected before passengers depart, likely integrated into the ticket price. Airlines, transport operators, or ticketing agents would be responsible for collecting and remitting these funds to the government.

Exemptions from the Departure Tax

While the tax is intended to apply broadly, several categories of travelers would be exempt. These include:

• Children under two years old.
• International transit passengers who remain within designated transit areas at the airport.
• Aircraft crew members and other transport personnel.
• Members of Thailand’s royal family and their accompanying staff.
• The Supreme Patriarch of Thailand’s Buddhist Sangha.
• Heads of state and official government guests.

These exemptions aim to ensure that essential personnel and specific dignitaries are not burdened by the new departure fee.

Concerns from Travel Agents

The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) has expressed opposition to the proposed departure tax. They warn that the addition of this new fee could lead to overlapping charges for foreign visitors, making travel to Thailand more expensive. One estimate suggests that foreign tourists could potentially face a combined total of 2,570 baht per person. This figure includes the proposed departure tax, a 1,120-baht airport charge, and a separate 450-baht entry fee, although these are separate charges and not yet enacted as a single package.

Timeline for Implementation

Currently, there is no set commencement date for the proposed departure tax. If the proposal moves forward and is enacted into law, it will become effective 180 days after its publication in Thailand’s Royal Gazette. The draft also indicates that tickets purchased before the law’s effective date would not be subject to the tax retroactively. This provision addresses concerns about tickets bought in advance of the tax’s implementation.

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