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Travel associations petition Finance Ministry on October 9 to scrap draft 1,000-baht departure tax for all nationalities
The Revenue Department is holding public hearings until October 29 on a new outbound travel tax that would charge foreign residents and tourists 1,000 baht every time they fly out of Thailand.
VMVisa Manager Desk10 Oct 2026✓ Verified 10 Oct 20262 min read4 sources
The short version
The Revenue Department is holding public hearings until October 29 on a draft law to collect a 1,000-baht departure tax from all nationalities.
The Association of Thai Travel Agents formally petitioned the Finance Ministry on October 9 to scrap the proposal.
A separate 450-baht tourism entry fee is also being prepared for Cabinet approval, raising concerns about double taxation.
On October 9, the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) formally petitioned the Finance Ministry to abandon a proposed 1,000-baht departure tax. This follows the Revenue Department opening public hearings on a draft law that would expand the outbound travel tax framework to cover travelers of all nationalities.
According to Khaosod Thai, the draft Outbound Travel Tax Act would levy a 1,000-baht fee on all passengers flying out of the country. Previously, departure tax discussions primarily targeted Thai citizens and permanent residents. The Revenue Department is accepting public feedback on the draft between September 30 and October 29.
The proposal has met immediate resistance. The Thai Hotels Association and ATTA argue it will damage the broader economy. Industry officials also pointed out the confusing overlap with a separate 450-baht "tourism entry fee" currently being prepared for Cabinet approval by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.
What this means for you
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If implemented, this tax would directly impact expats, digital nomads, and frequent flyers who use Thailand as a regional base.
Added costs for border runs: A family of four flying out for a visa run or holiday would face an extra 4,000 baht in departure taxes.
Double taxation risk: With the 450-baht entry fee also moving toward Cabinet approval, a single round-trip flight could soon carry 1,450 baht in new government fees.
Public hearing window: Expats and business owners have until October 29 to submit feedback through the Revenue Department's official channels.
The law is currently only in the drafting and public hearing phase. It must still pass through the Finance Ministry, Cabinet, and Parliament before taking effect. For now, expats should factor potential fee increases into their future travel budgets, but no new departure taxes are being collected today.
Why it matters
Frequent flyers and expats doing border runs could soon face an additional 1,000-baht fee every time they fly out of Thailand.
How we cover this: we monitor official Thai government sources and Thai & English press, cross-check every claim, and link the originals. Updated as it happens.
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