Thailand Proposes New 1,450 Baht Tourist Entry and Departure Levies

The Thai government is currently evaluating two separate proposals to introduce new financial levies on international travellers. The Ministry of Finance is considering a 1,000 baht departure tax for all air passengers, while the Ministry of Tourism and Sports is simultaneously planning a 450 baht tourist entry fee. These measures are being discussed as part of a broader revenue-generation strategy, despite existing airport passenger service charges already being increased to 1,120 baht in June 2026. The Department of Tax Revenue has opened a public consultation period regarding these proposals, which is scheduled to conclude on October 29, 2026.

Industry stakeholders, including the Thai Travel Agents Association, have expressed significant concern regarding the cumulative impact of these charges. Analysts warn that if both measures are implemented, the total cost for a round-trip international flight could increase by 2,570 baht (approximately US$77). There are fears that such a sharp rise in costs could undermine Thailand's competitiveness as a regional aviation hub and lead to reduced passenger numbers, potentially prompting airlines to scale back flight frequencies to the country.

All international travellers arriving in or departing from Thailand by air are potentially affected by these proposed levies, regardless of their nationality. This includes both foreign tourists and Thai citizens who travel internationally.

Makutet expects that the Thai government will face significant pressure to balance revenue goals against the risk of suppressing tourism demand. While the government is eager to bolster national coffers, the potential for a negative impact on the aviation sector suggests that officials may opt for a phased implementation or a reduced fee structure to mitigate industry backlash.