The government is considering reintroducing a departure levy of 1,000 baht on Thai nationals travelling abroad, with the aim of generating funds to support domestic tourism initiatives.
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said on Monday that the proposal could be implemented under the existing Emergency Decree on Departure Levy B.E. 2526 (1983), which already provides legal grounds for collecting such a fee.
The levy was previously set at 500 baht before being scrapped. However, officials note that the law remains in force, allowing the government to reinstate the charge without the need for new legislation.
The decree permits a maximum levy of up to 5,000 baht per departure.
Under the current proposal, the fee would apply exclusively to outbound Thai travellers. With outbound tourism estimated at around 10 million trips per year, authorities project that the measure could generate up to 10 billion baht annually.
The funds raised would be directed towards a co-payment scheme designed to subsidise domestic travel costs for Thai citizens, in an effort to stimulate local tourism activity.
Mr Surasak said discussions with the Finance Ministry would determine the appropriate timing for the levy’s reintroduction, adding that the proposal would require cabinet approval before implementation.
He downplayed concerns about potential negative impacts on outbound travel, stating that most travellers are more influenced by airfare prices than additional fees, while emphasising that the policy’s primary goal is to strengthen the domestic tourism sector.
