With the intention to sustain the growth of its tourism sector, Thailand announced that it has postponed the planned imposition of a 1,000 Baht (US$30) departure tax on all air travelers, according to a news article by VnExpress. The nation, which attracted almost 33 million foreign tourists in 2025, also pointed to other factors behind their decision such as the higher cost of energy and the need to assess the economic outlook.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…
Thailand has postponed plans to impose a 1,000-baht (US$30) departure tax on all air travelers to sustain the tourism sector’s growth momentum amid economic uncertainty and rising energy costs.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said on Thursday that the government would assess the economic outlook and the impact of higher energy prices before deciding whether to proceed with the measure, Khaosod English newspaper reported.
The government is seeking to sustain the country’s tourism recovery, particularly as rising fuel costs could put additional pressure on airlines and the wider tourism industry, Ekniti said.
The decision comes amid a positive international response to Thailand’s recent hosting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank annual meetings, Nation Thailand reported.
The government expects tourism activity to remain strong in the fourth quarter of 2026 and wants to preserve the sector’s positive momentum.
Introducing an additional departure tax at this stage could increase costs for both the public and airlines, while also placing an extra financial burden on foreign tourists, Ekniti said.
Earlier this month, the Revenue Department invited public feedback on a draft bill proposing a 1,000-baht departure tax per trip for travelers of all nationalities flying out of Thailand. The proposed levy aims to optimize the use of existing government resources, uphold fiscal discipline and provide greater flexibility in responding to emergencies.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Was the planned imposition of a $30 departure tax on all air travelers in Thailand a huge turn-off for you? Have you visited Thailand over the past six months?
You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.
+++++
Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
