Thailand is considering a departure tax of 1,000 baht (€27) for Thai and foreign travellers leaving the country by air. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s government is also planning a separate 450-baht (€12) fee for foreign visitors arriving by air. Together, the proposals could add roughly €39 to an eligible international tourist’s trip. Neither charge is currently in force, and their introduction remains subject to further procedures. The plans come as the government seeks additional revenue while tourism businesses warn that higher travel costs could discourage visitors.
The proposed departure tax is under public consultation until 29 October 2026, with no confirmed implementation date. Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit said it could be collected through airline tickets rather than paid separately at the airport. He described the proposal as reviving a levy previously set at 500 baht (€13) around two decades ago. Lavaron argued that people who can afford overseas travel have greater ability to absorb the additional expense. Potential uses for the proceeds include promoting domestic tourism and funding travel insurance or emergency medical coverage. The government is seeking more income after years of budget deficits, meaning it has repeatedly spent more than it receives.
Tourist entry fee would fund safety and insurance, Suphajee says The proposed 450-baht entry fee for foreign tourists would fund visitor safety, insurance and improvements to underfunded attractions, Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said, outlining her reasons for backing the charge. Suphajee, a former chief executive of hotel group Dusit Thani, said many countries collect similar fees. She instructed agencies to establish transparent collection and spending rules before public consultation and Cabinet consideration. The reported draft exempts work-permit holders and several other categories but lists no blanket exemption for long-term or multiple-entry visa holders. Paying for a multiple-entry visa would therefore not, by itself, appear to remove the obligation to pay the separate tourist fee. Under the draft, one payment would cover repeat entries within 30 days, subject to the linked insurance coverage. Entries after that period could attract another charge. The fee and its exemptions remain subject to final approval. #Thailand #ค่าเหยียบแผ่นดิน
— Thai Enquirer (@ThaiEnquirer) October 9, 2026
The separate arrival fee of 450 baht (€12) could be introduced in the first quarter of 2027, subject to Cabinet approval and legal procedures. It would initially apply to eligible foreign visitors entering Thailand by air, with collection from land and sea arrivals postponed for one year. Revenue would support visitor insurance, safety measures and tourism destination development. Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun instructed officials on 9 October to establish clear rules for collecting and spending the money before submitting the proposal to Cabinet. Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said more than 80% of respondents supported the fee in a recent online public consultation.
Both proposals are separate from the existing Passenger Service Charge, an airport fee generally included in ticket prices. Airports of Thailand increased that charge for international departures from 730 baht (€19) to 1,120 baht (€30) on 20 June 2026. It applies at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket and Hat Yai airports. If both new measures take effect, an eligible foreign tourist using one of these airports could face combined charges of 2,570 baht (€68). Of that total, 1,450 baht (€39) would represent new costs, while the airport charge is already payable. For four travellers subject to all three charges, the total would reach 10,280 baht (€274).
Tourism industry groups have warned that the additional costs could weaken Thailand’s appeal against competing destinations. The Thai Travel Agents Association said the departure tax could reduce passenger numbers, lead airlines to cut frequencies and ultimately harm inbound tourism. It also warned that this would conflict with Thailand’s ambition to become a regional aviation hub. The country welcomed around 24 million foreign tourists through 10 October, down 4% compared with the same period a year earlier. That remains well below the nearly 40 million arrivals recorded in 2019. The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects approximately 33 million foreign visitors this year, compared with 32.97 million in 2025.
DEPARTURE TAX CONTROVERSY: The Association of Thai Travel Agents has asked the Finance Ministry to stop pushing a draft 1,000-baht tax on air departures, arguing the charge would raise the cost of leaving Thailand for Thais and foreigners before anyone has measured what it would do to flights, jobs and spending.
— The Pattaya News Thailand (@The_PattayaNews) October 9, 2026
The debate comes alongside Thailand’s wider shift towards higher-spending visitors under its 2027 tourism strategy. The plan aims to increase tourism revenue by at least 5% compared with 2026 and spread visitors more evenly between established and emerging destinations. “The Year of Transformation is a clear commitment to reshape Thai tourism around quality, value and long-term competitiveness,” said Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool. Wellness, food, nature and luxury experiences are among its priorities. These ambitions provide context for the revenue debate, although the proposed taxes have not been presented as measures within that strategy.
Visitors are also navigating changes to Thailand’s visa-free stay rules. From 15 September 2026, the allowance for affected passport holders was reduced from 60 to 30 days. Belgium and Luxembourg are among the countries covered by the shorter allowance, according to the Royal Thai Embassy in Brussels. Travellers who entered before the change retain the period of stay previously granted to them. Those planning longer visits can explore visa options, including the Destination Thailand Visa for eligible applicants.
