Thailand's proposed ฿1,000 departure tax faces industry pushback

Thailand's proposed ฿1,000 departure tax on international air passengers is facing opposition from the Thai Hotels Association and the Association of Thai Travel Agents, according to Travel Daily Media. The measure has not been approved or implemented, and a public consultation on the draft law runs until 29 October 2026.

What the draft law proposes

Under a draft law published by the Revenue Department, the tax would initially apply to eligible air passengers of all nationalities leaving Thailand, at ฿1,000 per departure. The legislation sets a statutory ceiling of ฿5,000 per departure, though the starting rate is ฿1,000.

If enacted, the law would take effect 180 days after publication in the Royal Gazette. Tickets bought before that date would be exempt, even if the flight departs after the law starts.

The Revenue Department opened consultation on 30 September and is inviting feedback from travellers, airlines, ticket agents, airport operators, businesses and the public through its official consultation page.

Industry concerns

The Thai Hotels Association has formally opposed the plan, warning that extra charges could make Thailand less competitive against destinations such as Vietnam and Hong Kong. Travel Daily Media reports that the association says visitors from ASEAN markets are down around 20% and expects fourth-quarter 2026 tourism performance to be broadly flat year on year.

In its submission, the association estimated foreign travellers could face combined charges of ฿2,570 per person if three measures applied together:

• the existing ฿1,120 international Passenger Service Charge at Airports of Thailand airports;
• a proposed ฿450 foreign tourist fee;
• the proposed ฿1,000 departure tax.

Only the first is in force. The Passenger Service Charge rose from ฿730 to ฿1,120 on 20 June 2026 at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai, Phuket and Hat Yai, and is built into ticket prices. The tourist fee and departure tax remain proposals.

The association has also suggested that weaker outbound demand among Thai residents could affect airline route economics, potentially meaning fewer frequencies or new routes. Travel Daily Media stresses these are industry concerns, not confirmed outcomes.

Tourism backdrop

According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, cited by Travel Daily Media, Thailand received 32.97 million international visitors in 2025, generating about ฿1.54 trillion. Arrivals fell 7.23% from 2024 and revenue fell 4.71%. Malaysia and China remained the largest markets despite declines of 8.71% and 33.55%, while India and Russia grew by 16.82% and 8.80%. No quantified assessment of the tax's likely effect on visitor numbers has been published.

What this means for travellers

• No one needs to pay the proposed tax now; it is a draft.
• If it becomes law, it would start 180 days after Royal Gazette publication, and tickets bought before then would be exempt.
• The initial rate is ฿1,000 per departure, but the law allows up to ฿5,000.
• The ฿1,120 Passenger Service Charge is already in force at six airports and included in ticket prices.
• Any effect on fares or flight availability is speculative at this stage.

It is not yet known whether the government will amend or drop the proposal after consultation.

Sources: Travel Daily Media.