No plans for departure tax as government prioritises tourism growth

The government has no immediate plans to introduce a departure tax, as officials aim to maintain Thailand's current tourism momentum following the hosting of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said on Thursday.

Mr Ekniti was quoted by ThaiPBS as saying that any potential tax policy must be carefully assessed, particularly given the volatile situation in the Middle East, which is driving up energy prices and operational costs for the aviation industry.

He warned that imposing additional tax burdens on travellers or airlines could stifle the recovery of Thailand's tourism sector.

Any future policy decisions will adhere strictly to fiscal discipline, specifically citing Section 26 of the State Fiscal and Financial Discipline Act as a guiding framework, said the minister, adding that the government is keen to ensure that the anticipated tourism growth in the fourth quarter of this year continues to provide robust support for the economy.

Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas attends the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group. The event took place took place from Oct 12 to 18 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) in Bangkok. (Photo: IMF)

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said Thailand recorded 24,423,680 foreign arrivals, generating 1.18 trillion baht in revenue from Jan 1 to 17 Oct 17, 2026.

The top five sources of visitors for the period were China (4,143,403), followed by Malaysia (3,101,918), India (1,835,444), Russia (1,334,856), and South Korea (895,659). 

Earlier this month, the Revenue Department sought public input on a draft law that would require travellers of all nationalities flying out of Thailand to pay a departure tax of 1,000 baht per trip. The tax proposal is intended to help the government make the best use of existing resources, maintain fiscal discipline and provide greater flexibility to respond to emergencies.

According to the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta), Thai tourism could lose between 50 billion and 150 billion baht in revenue a year because of the proposed departure tax, compared with the 45.9 billion baht it is expected to raise, with airlines opposing the levy due to its poor timing and the likelihood of it undermining the travel sector's competitiveness.

Tassapon Bijleveld, executive chairman of SET-listed Asia Aviation, the operator of Thai AirAsia, said that if the government is in dire need of revenue, raising value-added tax (Vat) rather than hampering the tourism sector would be a better tactic.