Just now, Gknrd said:

And in the best new I have heard in years. The Federal government will hike entrance fees for not nationals to the fee plus 100 dollars for all foreigners.. It is a start.

 

Well you're wrong on a number of levels... 

 

Firstly - the Departure tax has nothing to do with tourists - its a departure tax on 'whoever' is departing.

 

Secondly - Park fees in the United States are not going to be based on nationality but on residency status: from 2026, U.S. residents will continue paying the standard rates, such as the US $80 annual pass, while non-residents will face significantly higher charges, including a US $250 annual pass or a US $100 per-person surcharge when visiting any of the 11 most-visited national parks without that pass. 

 

Nothing to do with 'nationals vs foreigners' !! 

 

So.. if you want a start - start by getting things just a little bit right !

I think the problem with all countries is that the government of the day states its intended uses for the extra revenue and then along the line the money gets diverted to fund a shortage elsewhere, and therefore its intended use is never fulfilled, and then they come back for more.

21 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

I don't disagree with the Tourist Tax or Airport Taxes IF / When they are not cyphered off by thieving grafters and put to good use...

I agree too. But when there is subsequently little evidence of that money being spent on improving airport facilities, you do wonder what happens to it.

 

On 12/4/2025 at 11:45 AM, StayinThailand2much said:

Does that mean that the proposed 300 baht arrival fee are off the table?

 

Arrival fee will happen, TDAC is the platform it will be introduced on.

 

Depature Tax  - Everyone pays.

 

TDAC based arrival tax - only foreigners pay.

2 hours ago, banyanman said:

I agree too. But when there is subsequently little evidence of that money being spent on improving airport facilities, you do wonder what happens to it.

 

Just curious about that...  

 

Because I think Suvarnabumi is a good airport.

Most of the Airports in Thailand are decent. 

Don Muang is a bit of a pit (low ceilings don't help that).

 

The new Satellite at Suvarnabumi is an impressive addition. 

 

So...  Why are you thinking the airport facilities are 'not' being improved ?

 

Thailands Airports are better than the UK's IMO - and people in the US suggest their airports are terrible.

 

On 12/4/2025 at 3:35 PM, Peabody said:

35,000,000 x 390 = 13,650,000,000

Where did the other 3.6 BILLION baht go?

Er.....administration costs.

On 12/4/2025 at 10:58 AM, webfact said:

The Civil Aviation Board has greenlit a significant rise in the airport tax for international departures from Thailand. Passengers will now face a charge of 1,120 baht per flight, a hefty hike from the previous 730 baht fee. This increase, applicable from early next year, is a decision taken to boost airport services and safety.

Thank you for coming and spending loads of money, we would just like to shaft you one more time... Bon Voyage

On 12/4/2025 at 11:45 AM, StayinThailand2much said:

Does that mean that the proposed 300 baht arrival fee are off the table?

Don't bet on it... they may even increase that if the opportunity arises.

On 12/4/2025 at 9:53 PM, PingRoundTheWorld said:

I'm not a fan of taxation (it's theft!), but realistically if 400 baht extra is what's going to deter you from travelling, maybe Thailand doesn't really need ya...

 

 

Could well be more p_ssed off at a pint of beer at the airport...............

 

How much is a pint or half a pint at Swampy now....?    🤫

Remember a few years ago, passengers used to hand over 400 baht to the lady's at the departures 

Welcome to the hotel California!

On 12/4/2025 at 2:59 PM, chuang said:

Then why come here...

If you follow the news, you will see that fewer are indeed coming to Thailand.  They are choosing Vietnam / Malaysia / Cambodia / Laos 

On 12/4/2025 at 11:48 AM, NoDisplayName said:

If you drive a car, I'll tax the street
If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat
If you get too cold I'll tax the heat
If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet

 

Hubman!

dont forget in uk,a charge for each mile

Just now, portisaacozzy said:

dont forget in uk,a charge for each mile

Not yet.............

The chances of them reinvesting in airport facilities is slim-to-none. The funds will disappear into the black hole that is Thai finances. 

On 12/4/2025 at 3:04 PM, richard_smith237 said:

 

It is different - but - it doesn't have to be... 

 

A certain percentatage of the Departure Taxi could be used to subsidise the tourist tax - which would remove the surface ugliness of collecting such a tax.

 

Then - this 'tax' could be used to cover 'Tourist insurance' and eradicate the 'medical burden cost' of tourists at public hospitals in Thailand - i.e. the message is sent: "We look after Tourists !!!" = good optics.

 

No one will notice the increase on an international ticket - the only issue of course is the behind the door logistics of transferring 300 baht per passenger from Airport Taxi to Tourist Tax schemes - and avoiding the obvious 'snouts-in-the-trough'... 

Although your idea has merit. It would never work as Thailand tries to get as much as possible from every person that comes and goes. If the AOT paid the insurance then they would not be able to collect as much money as they soon will with this high fee to leave the country. 

What gets me is they imbed it in with the ticket prices. This will have a negative effect on tourists from China and other cheap tourists. It will increase the flight cost. But I guess the negative impact would be worse if they tried to collect it prior to your entry on the plane when you are trying to get home. 

 

By the way. Since when has Thailand even adopted a "We look after tourists" policy? They only help when it hits social media. 

They do look after your money though. Spend as much as possible on double pricing among other things. 

That should help tourism.

On 12/4/2025 at 3:29 PM, richard_smith237 said:

As far as airport tax itself is concerned - then the hike is fair enough - the cost of everything has increase - so this is just inline with that

 

And yet strangely enough, most airports in the region - even in countries with much higher wages - have not seen the need to increase charges to this extent. The new rate of 1120 baht will put Thailand's fee just 100 baht or so behind Singapore, and even the biggest Thai apologists won't be able to claim with a straight face that any airport here is remotely comparable in service and convenience to Changi.

 

On 12/4/2025 at 10:58 AM, webfact said:

While international charges change, domestic flight charges remain at 130 baht.

 

I also have to wonder why this inflation that you cite has magically affected only the international terminals at Thai airports, and not the domestic ones?

 

On 12/4/2025 at 3:47 PM, ukrules said:

this is exactly what they do in the UK, book a business or first class long haul flight out of the UK and they charge about 200 per flight in what they call 'APD' Airline Passenger Duty

 

From what I understand, the APD is an excise tax, with revenues going to government coffers. What's being discussed in Thailand is an increase to the Passenger Service Charge (PSC), a fee for airport operations which goes to AOT - a state-owned for-profit publicly listed company - not to the government. 

Have they considered elasticity of demand..i doubt it..this increase may end up yielding the same tax revenue with less people..or worse. 

On 12/4/2025 at 10:58 AM, webfact said:

Airport tax for international departures raised to 1,120 baht

 

Photo courtesy of Khaosod

 

The Civil Aviation Board has greenlit a significant rise in the airport tax for international departures from Thailand. Passengers will now face a charge of 1,120 baht per flight, a hefty hike from the previous 730 baht fee. This increase, applicable from early next year, is a decision taken to boost airport services and safety.

 

Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn disclosed that the Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) sought and received approval for this change. The charge is already embedded in flight ticket prices, and this revision intends to enhance facilities across Thailand's major airports, including Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang. While international charges change, domestic flight charges remain at 130 baht.

 

AOT, overseeing six key airports, anticipates that the increased fee will result in an additional 10 billion baht annually, considering an average of 35 million international passengers. The raised funds are earmarked for improvements to passenger facilities and safety measures, signalling a focus on enhancing the traveler experience.

 

Details of the fee hike will be publicised four months prior to its implementation after receiving final approval from the transport minister. As Thailand continues to recover tourism flows post-pandemic, this decision underscores the country's commitment to infrastructure enhancement and operational efficiency at its airports, reported the Bangkok Post.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Airport tax for international flights rises to 1,120 baht, a 53% increase.
• Domestic flight charges remain unchanged at 130 baht.
• Additional revenue will focus on improving airport facilities and safety.

 

Related story:

Thailand Plans to Increase Air Travel Fees by October 2025

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-12-04

 

 

 

 

Oh no, that means the moaners will be out in force again today on this blog.

 

I doubt if anyone will realise the difference of the few shillings rise.

 

The tax is £200 to £300 in the UK for a long haul flight. 

 

 

On 12/3/2025 at 10:58 PM, webfact said:

Airport tax for international departures raised to 1,120 baht

 

Photo courtesy of Khaosod

 

The Civil Aviation Board has greenlit a significant rise in the airport tax for international departures from Thailand. Passengers will now face a charge of 1,120 baht per flight, a hefty hike from the previous 730 baht fee. This increase, applicable from early next year, is a decision taken to boost airport services and safety.

 

Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn disclosed that the Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) sought and received approval for this change. The charge is already embedded in flight ticket prices, and this revision intends to enhance facilities across Thailand's major airports, including Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang. While international charges change, domestic flight charges remain at 130 baht.

 

AOT, overseeing six key airports, anticipates that the increased fee will result in an additional 10 billion baht annually, considering an average of 35 million international passengers. The raised funds are earmarked for improvements to passenger facilities and safety measures, signalling a focus on enhancing the traveler experience.

 

Details of the fee hike will be publicised four months prior to its implementation after receiving final approval from the transport minister. As Thailand continues to recover tourism flows post-pandemic, this decision underscores the country's commitment to infrastructure enhancement and operational efficiency at its airports, reported the Bangkok Post.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Airport tax for international flights rises to 1,120 baht, a 53% increase.
• Domestic flight charges remain unchanged at 130 baht.
• Additional revenue will focus on improving airport facilities and safety.

 

Related story:

Thailand Plans to Increase Air Travel Fees by October 2025

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-12-04

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quote

intends to enhance facilities across Thailand's major airports

 

Wow, really? We only have 3 major airports here. Can we get some soap in the dispensers in the bathrooms? Nothing will happen as usual but someone will line their pockets for sure. How about paying workers more? Probably never crossed their minds.

 

500 to 700 to 730  and now to 1120  b. Very steep increase !

 

I just looked to see who owns AOT…it is 70% owned by Ministry of Finance and 30% owned by investors. 
 

 

 

In the meantime, as the government is complaining about all those "dirty farangs" that come to Thailand without health insurance and leave with unpaid bills at hospitals, why don't they just add another 300 Baht and give every arriving passenger a travel insurance policy if they don't already have one. That to me is the most sensible use of adding on extra Baht to the cost of a ticket. Then, when I hear hospital employees tell me the reason for their outrageous prices is because of all those "dirty farangs" that leave them with unpaid bills, and legitimate paying patients have to make up for their loses. As always, it's just another scam to empty our wallets while the higher-ups fill their pockets with the excess.

31 minutes ago, fittobethaied said:

In the meantime, as the government is complaining about all those "dirty farangs" that come to Thailand without health insurance and leave with unpaid bills at hospitals, why don't they just add another 300 Baht and give every arriving passenger a travel insurance policy if they don't already have one. That to me is the most sensible use of adding on extra Baht to the cost of a ticket. Then, when I hear hospital employees tell me the reason for their outrageous prices is because of all those "dirty farangs" that leave them with unpaid bills, and legitimate paying patients have to make up for their loses. As always, it's just another scam to empty our wallets while the higher-ups fill their pockets with the excess.

 

That seems very sensible, if that rule passes it means we will all get free travel insurance, great as why would anybody buy one when they can get one for free. 🤣

On 12/4/2025 at 2:33 PM, phil2407 said:

Screw you before you get here

Screw you while you are here

Screw you as you're leaving 

Sums it up as TIT (although do like the place) 

Now now, these are people that just don't think like us, is all. To them, it's all fair in the multiverse of madness. In the Thai universe, mathematics doesn't exist. 

On 12/4/2025 at 2:59 PM, chuang said:

Then why come here...

Oh, there's that.

On 12/5/2025 at 1:39 AM, richard_smith237 said:

 

Well you're wrong on a number of levels... 

 

Firstly - the Departure tax has nothing to do with tourists - its a departure tax on 'whoever' is departing.

 

Secondly - Park fees in the United States are not going to be based on nationality but on residency status: from 2026, U.S. residents will continue paying the standard rates, such as the US $80 annual pass, while non-residents will face significantly higher charges, including a US $250 annual pass or a US $100 per-person surcharge when visiting any of the 11 most-visited national parks without that pass. 

 

Nothing to do with 'nationals vs foreigners' !! 

 

So.. if you want a start - start by getting things just a little bit right !

What you say is true. However it’s also true that the majority of non resident visitors will be foreign nationals. So to say that it’s a tax on foreign nationals isn’t strictly true, but it’s mostly true.

On 12/4/2025 at 3:07 PM, richard_smith237 said:

 

The ignorance of this comment is telling - have you never considered what taxes every country applies on airport arrivals / departures / everyday purchases etc / Tourst taxes / City Taxes etc... 

 

Airport Taxes

VAT / GST Taxes

 

In your haste to 'Thai-bash' you didn't actually apply any critical thought at all...  

 

This always puzzles me. I think some people get bored of uselessly complaining about the same things in their home countries so they come here to find new things to complain about. Also, I think some people just can't do math.

So total ticket price in US dollars goes up from $22 to $35. I think I can absorb $13 in costs without jumping off a bridge. Let them do what they want , it's their country, I don't expect the world to change or not change to suit me. And no one has mentioned that this will put an equal downward pressure on the base cost of tickets, because economics - duh! Meaning, the airlines may drop the base price by say $5 - $10 to partially absorb the change. Loss of demand affects them first. 

On 12/4/2025 at 2:45 PM, Lingba said:

and this is why people over stay...they cant afford to leave

Cobblers, they've already paid when they paid for their flight ticket.