TOURISM & Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said today (April 28) a plan to impose a 1,000-baht departure tax on Thai tourists holidaying overseas to stimulate domestic tourism is only at the study phase with there not being a schedule for tabling it to the cabinet for consideration, Amarin TV said today (April 28).
The exit tax is based on a Royal Decree on collection of taxes from those going abroad and was previously implemented in 1983.
The plan to reimpose this tax on Thai tourists heading overseas is being studied by Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas with Surasak urging reporters to not misinterpret this issue as his ministry does not have the authority to implement it.
The Finance Minister invited the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) and other relevant agencies to discuss this matter and they raised concern about how collected funds would be used.
The idea is to collect an exit tax only from outbound tourists and not those going overseas for other purposes such as taking up a job or studying in another country plus not for diplomatic visa with the collection method yet to be finalised .
ATTA and other agencies have suggested implementing a domestic tourism campaign under “We Travel Together” or “Tour Across Thailand” slogans which aligns with the government’s concept. However, implementing this initiative will inevitably run into budgetary constraints which could lead to borrowing money to do so but additional loans would add to public burden.
“It’s not a tax for students or workers. The Royal Decree states that the maximum tax that can be collected is 5,000 baht, but I confirm this is still at study phase,” he said.
“There is still no conclusion on when it will be submitted to the cabinet.”
Asked whether this study is actually taking place, Surasak said officials are currently gathering opinions of various agencies. These agencies are being asked whether they agree with the departure tax, what the appropriate amount should be, the duration of collection and who should be exempt with the Finance Ministry and the government to further consider it.
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Top and Front Page – Tourists going overseas for holiday. Photos – Thai Rath
Insert – Tourism & Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul, right, talking to reporters today, April 28, 2026. Photo – Amarin TV
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