Thailand Considers New Departure and Arrival Taxes for Tourists

Thailand is contemplating the introduction of new taxes for international travelers, including a departure tax on outbound flights and a separate entry fee for foreign tourists arriving by air. If approved, these measures could add approximately 136 shekels (1,450 baht) per person to travel costs, on top of existing airport service charges. The proposed departure tax is 1,000 baht (about 94 shekels) for both Thai and foreign nationals leaving the country by air. This proposal is currently undergoing public consultation until October 29, 2026. Lavaron Sangsanit, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, stated that the tax could be collected via flight tickets, simplifying the process for travelers. He noted this revives a previous 500 baht levy from two decades ago, arguing that those who can afford international travel can bear the additional expense. Potential uses for the revenue include promoting domestic tourism and funding travel insurance or emergency medical coverage, as the government seeks to boost revenue amid budget deficits.

Concurrently, Thailand is advancing a 450 baht (about 42 shekels) entry fee for foreign tourists arriving by air, potentially effective in the first quarter of 2027, pending government and legal approvals. Initially, this fee will apply only to air arrivals, with land and sea entries to follow a year later. Funds raised are earmarked for visitor insurance, safety improvements, and tourism development. On October 9, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Supoj Thampom directed relevant authorities to formulate clear rules for collecting and utilizing these funds before the proposal goes to the cabinet.

The Minister of Tourism and Sports indicated that over 80% of respondents in an online poll supported the entry fee. These new levies would be added to the existing airport service charges, which were recently increased on June 20, 2026. International flights now face a service fee of 1,120 baht (about 104 shekels), up from 730 baht (about 66 shekels), at six major airports. Consequently, a foreign tourist using these airports could face a total of 2,570 baht (about 237 shekels) in charges, with the new fees accounting for 1,450 baht. A family of four could see their total charges reach approximately 954 shekels (10,280 baht).

Concerns have been raised by the Thai tourism industry, warning that increased travel costs could make Thailand less competitive. The Thai Travel Agents Association cautioned that the departure tax might reduce passenger numbers, lead airlines to cut flight frequencies, and ultimately harm inbound tourism, potentially conflicting with Thailand's ambition to become a regional aviation hub. As of October 10, Thailand had welcomed around 24 million foreign tourists, a 4% decrease from the previous year and significantly below the nearly 40 million in 2019. The Tourism Authority of Thailand forecasts 33 million foreign visitors for 2026. These proposed fees follow other recent government measures, such as shortening the visa-exempt stay to 30 days from 60 days for citizens of certain countries starting September 15, 2026.