Travel agents of Thailand opposed the levy of $30 from leaving the country

The Association of Thai Travel Agencies (ATTA) has called on the Thai authorities to abandon the introduction of a fee of 1,000 baht (about $30) from all travelers leaving the country.

Under the exit tax bill, every passenger leaving the country will have to pay 1,000 baht regardless of citizenship. Thailand’s Department of Revenue is currently collecting comments and proposals on the project. The discussion will last until October 29.

On October 8, ATTA asked Thailand’s Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas to drop the levy. The association believes that the new payment will increase the costs of travelers. Taking into account the fee for passenger service at airports in the amount of 1.12 thousand baht ($ 33.3) and the planned tourist fee of 450 baht ($ 13.4), which they want to introduce in 2027, the total amount of payments for foreign tourists can reach 2.57 thousand baht (about $ 76.7) per trip.

According to the association, the extra costs could encourage tourists to give up some trips or cut back on vacation costs. For residents of the country, the new fee, in turn, will increase the cost of foreign travel, including business and educational.

In this regard, ATTA called on the authorities to postpone consideration of the initiative and to assess its possible consequences together with representatives of the tourism industry and the transport sector.

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Pancharoenvorakul said he would discuss the tax proposal with the Ministry of Finance. He noted that the new fee could prove excessive if its goals overlap with those of another 450 baht tourist fee. The minister also warned that increased spending could affect the decision of foreign tourists to travel to Thailand.

Thailand is considering two separate payments for tourists. The first is an exit tax of 1,000 baht, which is proposed to be levied on all passengers regardless of nationality. The second is a tourist fee of 450 baht for foreigners arriving in the country. Its launch is scheduled for 2027.

The introduction of a tourist fee has been discussed since 2018, but the authorities have repeatedly postponed its launch. In February 2025, it was planned to set a fee of 300 baht, but it never worked.

At the first stage, they want to charge foreigners arriving by plane, and later extend the fee to travelers entering by land and sea. Part of the proceeds are planned to be spent on insurance of tourists, the rest on the development of tourist infrastructure and improving security.

The Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) noted that the introduction of a tourist fee should not seriously affect the sales of tours to the country.