Thai Tourism Groups Oppose Outbound Travel Tax Over Revenue Loss
Thai tourism groups, led by ATTA, have protested a proposed 1,000‑baht outbound travel tax, warning it could cost the country 75 billion baht in lost revenue. They say the tax would add to existing cost increases, such as higher airport fees and a planned tourist surcharge, at a time when foreign visitor numbers are already declining. If implemented, the tax could cut arrivals by about 1.5 million and push total tourism earnings below the 30‑million‑visitor target.
ATTA Secretary-General Adisorn Chairatananon told Khaosod that the Ministry of Finance is considering a 1,000-baht per person outbound tax on Thai travelers going abroad, which would also apply to foreigners departing Thailand. He said the association, along with the Thai Hotel Association, the Tourism Council of Thailand, and the Airlines of Thailand Association, opposes the measure and has submitted a protest letter to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichit Chunhavajira. Adisorn argued the move is ill‑timed, pointing out that foreign tourist numbers are down 3% nationally and as much as 15% in ASEAN, while arriving visitors already face higher costs after the airport operator raised departure fees from 1,120 to 2,120 baht and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports plans a 450-baht entry fee starting early 2027. He warned that adding another 1,000-baht outbound tax could raise tourist costs by about 10%, potentially cutting foreign arrivals by 5.4%—roughly 1.5 million people—and slashing tourism revenue by 75 billion baht from the current 1.8 trillion baht annual level.
