Thai government mulls $30 exit levy and new arrival fee to boost revenues

The Anutin-led administration is considering imposing a ฿1,000 (about US$30) tax on Thai and foreign travelers leaving Thailand, alongside a ฿450 levy on foreign visitors arriving by air. Finance ministry permanent secretary Lavaron Sangsnit noted that existing law permits rates up to ฿5,000, but one outlet draft hovers around ฿1,000 and could be collected through airline tickets rather than at the airport. The revenue is intended to offset persistent budget deficits of roughly 3%-4% of GDP and to finance domestic tourism initiatives and travel-insurance schemes.

The Thai Travel Agents Association cautioned that the outbound tax could sharply cut passenger numbers, prompting airlines to reduce flights and undermining Thailand’s ambition to become a regional aviation hub. Tourism Authority of Thailand forecasts about 33 million visitors this year, though a total below last year’s 32.97 million would mark the first consecutive decline since 1995. Tourism and sports minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said more than 80% of respondents backed the new arrival fee in an online consultation.