If you travel to Thailand in the future, be ready to pay a departure tax while flying out of the country. The Southeast Asian nation, known for its islands and temples, is considering a new tax to boost government revenue. Keep reading to know what it means and how it can impact your travel.
Thailand To Introduce Departure Tax For Travellers?
Not many of you may be aware of what a departure tax really is. It is a fee that the government charges when you leave its borders, and yes, it applies to both citizens of that nation and foreign travellers. According to The Business Times, Thailand is considering introducing an outbound tax of about 1,000 baht (₹2,836) on Thai and foreign travellers leaving the country. Not just that, but the nation may also introduce a 450 baht (₹1,276) fee for foreigners arriving by air.
This means that you may have to pay a fee when leaving Thailand, making your overall trip a little more costly. The fee is being considered simply to boost revenue in the country, as the COVID-19 pandemic affected its tourism industry and the nation has yet to fully recover from it.
Also Read: Thailand To India Travel Gets Easier With Free 30-Day Double-Entry E-Visa Till 2027
How The New Tax Can Affect Tourism
According to The Business Times, the Thai Travel Agents Association has warned that the new departure or outbound tax could reduce passenger numbers. It may also lead to airlines cutting flight frequencies, which will ultimately impact the tourism industry negatively.
Thailand, a nation known for its beautiful islands, temples and Bangkok nightlife, received 24 million foreign tourists up to October 10. This number was 4% lower than a year earlier and significantly below the nearly 40 million tourists recorded in 2019, before the pandemic.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand is expecting about 33 million visitors in 2026. The plan to introduce the departure tax in Thailand is still under consideration and has not been rolled out yet.
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FAQs
What is a departure tax?
A departure tax is a fee charged when travellers leave a country.