Thailand: you can leave but you must pay ฿1,000 more. Departures tax hailed as the kiss of death

[webfact]

Over the weekend, the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) has come out strongly against the proposed new departures tax being pushed by the Revenue Department with a public hearing already scheduled for next week. Its chief, Mr Charoen Wangananont, questioned the timing of the tax and the rate being proposed as inappropriate to present market conditions while the Vice President of the body warned of unintended consequences for the country’s flight connection network and the overall tourism industry.

 

by James Morris and Son Nguyen

 

The new levy is being proposed by the Revenue Department under a 1983 legal provision with public hearings already scheduled for the coming week. It comes in addition to an existing outbound levy for tourists and a proposed incoming levy of ฿300 which was shelved by the minister in April until a new government takes power later in the summer.

Tourism industry chiefs were shocked this week to discover that Thailand’s Revenue Department is laying the groundwork for a new outbound levy of ฿1,000 to be applied to all outgoing airline passengers from Thailand including foreign tourists and Thai citizens in addition to already existing charges and levies. One key travel industry executive warned that the plans will have a serious negative impact on the country’s still recovering tourism industry and may disrupt the plans of airlines which Thailand badly needs to reconnect to its international airports.

A shock move by the government to introduce a ฿1,000 tax on departures from Thailand is drawing opposition from the tourism industry coming just weeks after the government shelved, for now, its ongoing plans for an incoming tourism levy with the industry already concerned about how the latter should be implemented.

 

Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2023/05/06/thailand-you-must-pay-1000-baht-more-to-leave-tourism-kiss-of-death/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2023-05-08

 

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[webfact]

Thai Government Launches Public Opinion Poll on Departure Tax
By Tanakorn Panyadee

 

 

National – On the website of the Thai Revenue Department, a public hearing questionnaire has been launched to gather public opinion on a government departure tax of 1,000 baht.

The questionnaire says the new levy will help prevent locals from spending too much aboard. The hearing will range from May 3rd to 17th, aiming to assess a possible impact of the tax.

 

According to the questionnaire, Thai citizens and foreign permanent residents would be required to pay a departure tax of 1,000 baht for air travel and 500 baht for land and sea travel. This aims to generate extra revenue for the government and prevent Thai people from spending excessively overseas, according to the poll. It also aims to reduce the country’s trade deficit.

 

The hearing came as a surprise to many tourism operators in Thailand.

 

Charoen Wangananont, president of the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA), said the levy collection and its principle are unrealistic and illogical because Thailand has never encountered any issues related to a trade deficit in the tourism industry, given that 70% of the total income is generated from inbound tourism, while only 30% of the expenses are related to outbound tourism.

 

Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2023/05/07/thai-government-launches-public-opinion-poll-on-departure-tax/

 

-- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2023-05-08

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

[bg53]

The outgoing levy would be a bad move, in my opinion.

[nglodnig]

Interesting. - I have heard of several stories before (when there was a departure tax of 500 baht) of people who had spent literally every baht they had and had nothing when they got to the airport. What are they going to do if they can't pay? Deport them? Make them stay a month longer? Stupid idea.

[SAFETY FIRST]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

outbound levy of ฿1,000 to be applied to all outgoing airline passengers from Thailand including foreign tourists and Thai citizens

Wow, that'll rake in some money. 

 

 

[JayClay]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

National – On the website of the Thai Revenue Department, a public hearing questionnaire has been launched to gather public opinion on a government departure tax of 1,000 baht.

Who in their right mind would be in favour of legislation that makes it harder to leave the country and spend time in foreign country in exchange for no tangible benefits...?

[ukrules]

32 minutes ago, nglodnig said:

Interesting. - I have heard of several stories before (when there was a departure tax of 500 baht) of people who had spent literally every baht they had and had nothing when they got to the airport. What are they going to do if they can't pay? Deport them? Make them stay a month longer? Stupid idea.

Yeah, I remember paying the 500 Baht fee at the counter many years ago at the old airport.

 

I believe this was increased and then they forced the airlines to collect the tax.

 

No doubt the airlines will collect the increased charge as well.

 

[ezzra]

This i nothing but a cheap revenue grab from the people, so cheap to even include Thai people whom might find it an added burden, hopefully the new elected government will shoot this idea down. 

[bradiston]

This is an opinion poll. Totally fake and out of date news.

[easton]

Dinosaurs out tourists in.

[BayArea]

I tell you what Thailand is trying their damn best to destroy the golden goose. After a nice recovery in tourism from the pandemic,  you would think they would be grateful getting an economic boost from tourists, but as usual greed is never too far away. 

[daveAustin]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

This aims to generate extra revenue for the government and prevent Thai people from spending excessively overseas

Not only does the gov not deserve its tourists the way it herds them as cattle, it also views its own the same. 

[Geoffggi]

Pure and utter GREED !!!

[bkk_mike]

1 hour ago, nglodnig said:

Interesting. - I have heard of several stories before (when there was a departure tax of 500 baht) of people who had spent literally every baht they had and had nothing when they got to the airport. What are they going to do if they can't pay? Deport them? Make them stay a month longer? Stupid idea.

I remember, after paying the tax for myself, being volunteered as a good samaritan for a couple of other people on the same flight who didn't have their departure tax.

They swore blind they would pay me back once they got back to the UK. - I wasn't altogether surprised when they didn't though...

 

But yes - better if it's in the ticket prices, so it's not a shock to people as they leave the country - and other passengers aren't guilt-tripped into helping them out.

[heybuz]

Apt photo of the three young women running away from thailand when they heard of the new departure tax.

[Nigeone]

i have travelled to Thailand countless times and its usually been quite reasonable to do so. Pre Covid I got a Ticket from Manchester return for around £450 . Now having just booked my third trip since last November its just short of £800 return. A big difference and as I have a initial flight also we are talking just under £1000 for a return with no overnight stops. How many families could afford that and this extra 1000 baht is just another nail. Yeah I know if you can afford the current fare thats its no big deal…But it is as so much more has gone up accordingly. Tell you what would willing accept this if they guarantee to get you through immigration without having to queue for ages. If your lucky its pretty quick but two of my last trips its been a nightmare. And as for the faces on the immagration staff ! Smacked crab comes to mind . 

[loong]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

and 500 baht for land and sea travel. This aims to generate extra revenue for the government and prevent Thai people from spending excessively overseas, according to the poll. It also aims to reduce the country’s trade deficit.

Do they realise that this 500 Baht tax at land borders will also reduce the numbers of people from neighbouring countries coming in on a short trip and spending money in Thailand?

[TheFishman1]

Some of that so if this passes I have a big payday for sure. TIT

[Gknrd]

"and prevent Thai people from spending excessively overseas"

 

It's called capital flight. 10-1 you will see laws put in place to stop the rich from transferring money out of Thailand. 

It won't be long now before things get really bad!  

But, you expats from the West don't have to worry. China will step up with a loan and help with the day to day direction of the government.

[bristolgeoff]

The gov could allow casino,s in thailand,the thais cross the border in they many as we know.Lose lots of baht in other countries.Now another tax to thais or perm farangs to leave the country to stop them spending to much.You have to to get a re entry stamp  for 1000 baht anyway.The gov what are they thinking another fee is not the way to keep tourist coming back

[sumongkhwai]

They tried this in Fiji a number of years ago and it was a bust. Maybe they can amend the legislation so that the exit fee will be waived if the tourist promises to never ever come back to Thailand or buy any Thai products uopn return to their home country, makes about as much sense,

[Phil1964]

What another Thai scam to extort money from people coming to enjoy themselves in Thailand, while they are spending money for the Thai's economy!

Really does look like the country is run by inbred red necks.

 

Plenty of other welcoming destinations to visit, that don't have such stupid priced airfares to boot, that are higher up my wish list now!

 

[new2here]

Just from the most cursory read… it sounds like the two major groups that this is proposed to impact is Thai citizens and Permanent Residents##
 

(## I am assuming here, this means those that explicitly hold the much harder to obtain legitimate Permanent Resident status and not some form of “long stay” visa/extension of stay)

 

If so, I can see why they might try this…

 

Why?  Citizens and PRs are essentially a “hostage” demographic.. they ARE going to come back … so unless they want or can, remain “home bound” indefinitely, they’ll be forced to pay up.

 

Plus, given the so-called “middle class” seems to be expanding, international travel I would reasonably assume would be something this group would place higher up their list of wants … so by the government targeting this group - makes sense..  they’re big and getting bigger and they’re a hostage market — they’ve got no other workaround 

[new2here]

6 minutes ago, Gknrd said:

"and prevent Thai people from spending excessively overseas"

 

It's called capital flight. 10-1 you will see laws put in place to stop the rich from transferring money out of Thailand. 

It won't be long now before things get really bad!  

But, you expats from the West don't have to worry. China will step up with a loan and help with the day to day direction of the government.

I agree.. under this line of thought, i could easily see the government imposing export curbs on any outflow … 

[NemoH]

Crazy idea again… 

They try so hard to rip you off. With regional competition for the tourist dollar, the tourist will go elsewhere. 
But at least it will kill the Chinese zero dollar tour groups and the Indian tours. These 2 form the bulk of all the tourism for Thailand. But it will also kill air travel - and affect all the other countries who will have less of the richer Thai or foreign residents in Thailand.. lose lose for all. 
But then again .. who knows if there are even more creative ways of getting around this .. u never know… ????????????

[ikke1959]

I thought that a caretaker government was not allowed to make new laws...Besides 1000THB exit fee is stupid idea, you have to pay while leaving as you spend and paid a lot of taxes already at your stay.. Why don't they use their brains first and stop shouting we want to be a top destination in tourism, for many reasons, but on the other hand they drive people away... Suppose a family of 4 has to pay 4000THB for leaving as a surprise at the expensive airport as extra.. People are not stupid.... and than the tourism sector starts to complain again.. we don't have enough tourists.. Start with a good registration instead of the the blue familybook and let everybody fill in a tax form for several years, as 75% of the Thai people don't pay taxes yet.and the Government has no clue who is doing what and earns how much. and welcome tourists to boost the economy...  

[kwaussie]

Why a thousand, why not make same as land borders at 500 bht a lot easier to stomach.

[quake]

Hope they go ahead with this great idea.

What could ever go wrong. 

TIT.

[jacko45k]

I got a 1000 left, do you want me to pay for the 2 days overstay, or the departure tax!

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

On the website of the Thai Revenue Department, a public hearing questionnaire has been launched to gather public opinion on a government departure tax of 1,000 baht.

 

My opinion would be redacted.