Thailand is planning to introduce a fee for Thai nationals traveling abroad to fund domestic tourism efforts. Announced by Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul, the fee is part of a joint initiative with the Ministry of Finance aiming to strengthen Thailand’s domestic tourism through a dedicated funding mechanism.

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The proposal suggests imposing a 1,000 baht fee per outbound traveler, potentially generating about 10 billion baht annually from approximately 10 million outbound trips. This revenue could subsidize domestic travel initiatives, offering incentives like a 1,000-baht support per trip for Thai nationals within the country.

According to Minister Surasak, this initiative will enhance the long-term sustainability of Thailand’s tourism industry, reducing dependence on annual government budgets and enabling more strategic long-term planning. The ministry is also preparing short-term measures to counter international tourism slowdowns due to geopolitical tensions, including conflicts in the Middle East.

Efforts are underway to revive successful past domestic tourism schemes such as the “We Travel Together” co-payment program. Additional initiatives include bus travel promotions, tax incentives, and measures to enhance tourism in secondary cities, aiming to stimulate domestic travel.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Khaosod · 27 Apr 2026

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Will be interesting to see what Thai citizens say about this. Assume this in addition to the normal departure tax? As if international travel wasn't getting expensive enough. Smacks of deperation from Thai Gov as they realise they can't milk foreigners more than they are already. And, how exactly will they collect it differentiing ticket sales to Thais vs Foreigner?

Why not keep it simple... 300 THB entry for everyone....Why 1000 THB exit fee? Are Thai people in fact not allowed to travel abroad and must be fined? How will they implement this? A ticket doesn't make a Thai and non Thai

There seems to be a lot of ideas coming forth of late for the authorities to gather more money.

Why not requiring exit visas for Thais like in the former Soviet Union?🤦‍♂️

It just gets more pathetic. They closed the Duty Free on Arrival shops at BKK to squeeze incoming. Plenty of other examples. Nickel and dime the world. Small minds.

23 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

There seems to be a lot of ideas coming forth of late for the authorities to gather more money.

How about a tax on dumb tax ideas where the mouth is moving but the brains not working..

That might be the stupidest proposal they've ever made. You have to pay to leave???

Such fee exist in The Philippines, something like 1500 to 2500 PHP depending upon flight class while it's free -or may be just reduced- for Overseas PH workers. It used to be paid at airports upon departure. Only for Filipino passports.

These leader particularly this tourism minister need to get his head out of his own A--, this guy with his greedy buddies all they think is about charging everyone now their own people. Greed can really blind judgement.

So when we, my wife and me go and visit Europe, she has to pay .. meaning me has to pay 1000 baht. So incredibly stupid.

Regressive tax on its own citizens that's 700 baht higher than the entry tax placed on foreigners... Should go over like a lead balloon with the Thais. Universal departure taxes are blunt, unfair and disperportionate, discourage mobility; and I've little doubt the tax collected wouldn't be squandered with nothing to show.

42 minutes ago, Cabradelmar said:

Regressive tax on its own citizens that's 700 baht higher than the entry tax placed on foreigners... Should go over like a lead balloon with the Thais. Universal departure taxes are blunt, unfair and disperportionate, discourage mobility; and I've little doubt the tax collected wouldn't be squandered with nothing to show.

Easy to fix. Raise farang fee to 2000 baht.

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand is planning to introduce a fee for Thai nationals traveling abroad to fund domestic tourism efforts. Announced by Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul, the fee is part of a joint initiative with the Ministry of Finance aiming to strengthen Thailand’s domestic tourism through a dedicated funding mechanism.

Get today's headlines by email

The proposal suggests imposing a 1,000 baht fee per outbound traveler, potentially generating about 10 billion baht annually from approximately 10 million outbound trips. This revenue could subsidize domestic travel initiatives, offering incentives like a 1,000-baht support per trip for Thai nationals within the country.

According to Minister Surasak, this initiative will enhance the long-term sustainability of Thailand’s tourism industry, reducing dependence on annual government budgets and enabling more strategic long-term planning. The ministry is also preparing short-term measures to counter international tourism slowdowns due to geopolitical tensions, including conflicts in the Middle East.

Efforts are underway to revive successful past domestic tourism schemes such as the “We Travel Together” co-payment program. Additional initiatives include bus travel promotions, tax incentives, and measures to enhance tourism in secondary cities, aiming to stimulate domestic travel.

Join the discussion?

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Khaosod · 27 Apr 2026

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It takes a lot of faith in the stupidity of the citizens to try and sell something like this as progress....🤣🤣🤣

We had this stupid tax over 30 years ago. Back then one had to buy this 1,000 THB voucher from the airline's city office, and then show it at check in. Can't remember if you gave the voucher at the check in counter or to the immigration officer at passport control.

I really hope they won't go ahead with it!!

What's the problem? Thais are rich.

1 hour ago, hanbla said:

So when we, my wife and me go and visit Europe, she has to pay .. meaning me has to pay 1000 baht. So incredibly stupid.

That is probably the idea behind it. They can't tax foreigners anymore with 300 THB income tax, so they found a way to hide this tax by letting Thais pay. It will never work as the greed is getting too much now

'Such fee exist in The Philippines,'

And has for years. There is a proposal before Parliament to scrap it. It does apply also to any foreigner who has been there over 12 months. Many airlines, eg Cebu Pacific, let you pay online.

13 hours ago, soi3eddie said:

Smacks of deperation from Thai Gov as they realise they can't milk foreigners more than they are

How, specifically, are foreigners being "milked" as much as you suggest they are?

7 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Why not keep it simple... 300 THB entry for everyone....Why 1000 THB exit fee? Are Thai people in fact not allowed to travel abroad and must be fined? How will they implement this? A ticket doesn't make a Thai and non Thai

Yes, Thais are permitted to travel overseas and, no, Thais would not be fined under this proposed legislation -which will never actually happen.

5 hours ago, giants49 said:

That might be the stupidest proposal they've ever made. You have to pay to leave???

Several countries have departure taxes, It's not unusual.

4 hours ago, Cabradelmar said:

Regressive tax on its own citizens that's 700 baht higher than the entry tax placed on foreigners

There is no entry fee placed on foreigners.

3 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

Easy to fix. Raise farang fee to 2000 baht.

There is no fee for foreigners that could be raised.

2 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

That is probably the idea behind it. They can't tax foreigners anymore with 300 THB income tax, so they found a way to hide this tax by letting Thais pay. It will never work as the greed is getting too much now

There is no "income tax of 300 baht", presumably you mean entry fee which there isn't either.

Desperate times call for desperate measures is my take.

As an aside - so as to not muddle interesting topics with overly pedantic* posts, I made a decision some time ago which has resulted in a much more enjoyable AN experience.

* Pedantic is an adjective used to describe someone who is excessively concerned with minor details, rules, or displaying academic learning, often in a tiresome or annoying way. It implies a, usually negative, focus on trivial inaccuracies over the bigger picture, acting like a "know-it-all".

Got to be intensely annoying for those poor souls driven to work aborad in places like the Gulf, South Korea.

Effective June this year Departure tax for Tourists/non-citizens will increase to Bt.1120.00.

Citizens do not currently have to pay departure tax, why discuss then Bt.1000... Why not make it the same as tourist/non-citizens
?

1 hour ago, TimBKK said:

Desperate times call for desperate measures is my take.

As an aside - so as to not muddle interesting topics with overly pedantic* posts, I made a decision some time ago which has resulted in a much more enjoyable AN experience.

* Pedantic is an adjective used to describe someone who is excessively concerned with minor details, rules, or displaying academic learning, often in a tiresome or annoying way. It implies a, usually negative, focus on trivial inaccuracies over the bigger picture, acting like a "know-it-all".

Might have to do the same - never discussing the topic at hand but instead focusing on 'on the spectrum' pedantic replies to the comments made by others.

Unless someones head has been up his own... buried in the sand for the last two years - its well know that Thailand has been proposing a tourist tax (of approx 300 baht) and that may or may not also include medical insurance cover while in country.

This 'Departure Tax' for Thai's has also been floated before - its aims to prevent Thai's from spending their 'tourist baht' overseas and continuing to holiday within country - which IMO is a cheap-shot money grab.

Many of those in positions of authority somehow repeatedly find a way to make themselves appear shamelessly greedy.

8 hours ago, thailand49 said:

These leader particularly this tourism minister need to get his head out of his own A--, this guy with his greedy buddies all they think is about charging everyone now their own people. Greed can really blind judgement.

These leader particularly this tourism minister need to get his head out of his own A--, this guy with his greedy buddies all they think is about charging everyone now their own people. Greed can really blind judgement.

• 

?? who's the f-tard that keeps giving all the thumbs down ?

I believe in the importance of new taxes. Citizens play a vital role in ensuring our government is properly funded to meet the needs of society.