Flying Out of Thailand Could Soon Cost an Extra THB1,000
Flying Out of Thailand Could Soon Cost an Extra THB1,000
BANGKOK, October 8, 2026 — Thailand is considering introducing a THB1,000 departure tax on every person leaving the country by air, regardless of nationality, under a proposed new law now open for public consultation.
The Revenue Department is seeking public feedback on the principles of a draft Departure Tax Act from September 30 to October 29, 2026. The proposed legislation would replace Thailand’s existing departure-levy framework dating from 1983.
Under the proposal, the initial rate would be THB1,000 per air departure. The draft law would establish a legal ceiling of THB5,000 per departure, while the actual rate would be determined later through ministerial regulation.
If introduced, the charge would apply each time a passenger leaves Thailand by air. This means tourists, expatriates, frequent visitors and Thai nationals making short international trips could all be subject to the tax.
The proposed tax would generally be collected through airline tickets or ticket agents, meaning passengers would likely pay it as part of the fare before departing Thailand.
For the initial implementation, departures by land and sea would remain exempt, according to the proposal.
The Finance Ministry says the measure is intended to improve the use of state resources within fiscal-discipline requirements and provide the government with greater flexibility to respond to potential emergencies.
Who would be exempt?
The proposed exemptions broadly follow Thailand’s existing rules for the Passenger Service Charge (PSC).
They would include specified members of the Royal Family and their entourages, the Supreme Patriarch and entourage, foreign heads of state, official government guests, children aged two or under, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons inspection teams and passengers travelling on government aircraft.
International transit passengers who remain within designated transit areas would also be exempt.
Airline crew and other transport personnel travelling without paying a fare while performing duties for their employers would likewise not be liable for the tax.
The proposed system would require coordination among airlines, ticket agents, airport operators, the Immigration Bureau, the Department of Airports, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and other agencies involved in international travel.
A tax that existed before
Thailand already has a departure-levy law dating back to 1983. That framework covered Thai nationals and foreign permanent residents and originally imposed THB1,000 on air departures and THB500 on departures by land or sea.
However, collections for land and sea travel were suspended from May 1, 1986, followed by suspension of the air-travel levy from July 1, 1991. The Revenue Department says no departure tax is currently being collected under the existing legislation.
The proposed new law would broaden the scope to travellers of all nationalities, representing a significant change from the current framework.
The proposal remains subject to the legislative process and public consultation, so the THB1,000 charge should not yet be treated as a tax that travellers must pay.
