Ekniti defends 1,000-baht departure tax plan as ATTA objects on Oct 7
Thailand’s proposed levy would cover Thai and foreign air travellers, while Finance Minister Ekniti argues it could encourage more domestic holidays.
- Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas defended the proposed 1,000-baht departure tax, arguing it would encourage domestic tourism and keep money within Thailand's economy.
- The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) formally objected to the plan, warning it would create overlapping charges for travelers and harm the tourism industry during a weak economy.
- The proposed tax would apply to all travelers leaving Thailand by air, including both Thai citizens and foreign tourists.
- ATTA stated the new tax, combined with existing airport fees and a planned tourist-entry fee, would create an excessive financial burden on foreign visitors.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas defended the idea of a 1,000-baht departure tax as a way to encourage Thais to holiday domestically and keep more tourism spending within Thailand. However, the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) opposed the proposal on October 7, 2026, warning that it would impose overlapping charges on travellers.
Dr Adith Chairattananon, ATTA’s secretary-general, told Thansettakij that the proposal could have widespread repercussions for tourism and put further pressure on operators during a weak economy. The association is preparing to submit a formal objection to the Finance Ministry.
Ekniti said the rationale for considering the tax was to reduce the outflow of money associated with overseas holidays by Thai travellers and encourage spending that benefits local communities.
“The government hopes to encourage domestic tourism, or Thais travelling in Thailand, to circulate money through the grassroots economy and keep more capital within the country,” Ekniti said.
Departure tax proposal covers Thais and foreign travellers
The Revenue Department is inviting public comments and recommendations on the principles of a draft law on outbound travel taxation. The consultation runs from September 30 to October 29.
The proposed tax would cover travellers of all nationalities leaving Thailand, including Thai nationals and foreign tourists. Collection would initially apply to air travel at a rate of 1,000 baht per person, rather than being a charge already in force.
ATTA warns of overlapping charges for foreign visitors
Adith said the departure tax would add another layer of costs for foreign tourists, alongside airport charges and the government’s separate plan for a tourist-entry fee. He argued that imposing several charges without a coordinated approach would burden travellers and damage the tourism industry.
Adith pointed to Airports of Thailand (AOT), which had recently raised its passenger service charge for international departures to 1,120 baht. The government also plans to collect a 450-baht entry fee from foreign tourists in 2027.
If both proposed measures were introduced, Adith estimated that foreign visitors would face combined charges of 2,570 baht per person: the 1,120-baht airport charge, the 450-baht entry fee and the 1,000-baht departure tax.
Adith also questioned the transparency of how additional revenue would be managed. He argued that the government had not delivered tangible improvements in tourism infrastructure or efficiency to justify imposing another charge.
ATTA prepares formal objection to Finance Ministry
ATTA’s board is due to discuss the proposed tax on October 8 as the association prepares a letter opposing the measure, Adith said. t
Adith said ATTA had also discussed its concerns with the Visitor Economy working group involving Weerasak Kowsurat. The group shared the association’s opposition in principle and had consistently supported the concept of “Two-Way Tourism”, he said.
“I am also preparing to raise these concerns and explain our opposition at the Reinvent Thailand working-group meeting with the Finance Ministry this Friday,” Adith said, referring to October 9.
