Thailand delays proposed 1,000-baht overseas travel tax

BANGKOK – Thailand has postponed plans to impose a 1,000-baht tax on each trip abroad, citing economic uncertainty and elevated energy prices linked to the war in the Middle East, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said on Thursday.

The Revenue Department had been conducting a public consultation on the proposed tax, which would apply to people travelling out of the country.

Ekniti, who is also a deputy prime minister, said the government wanted to assess the economic situation and the impact of high energy costs before proceeding with the measure.

He said Thailand’s hosting of the 2026 IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings had helped improve the country’s image and generated interest among international visitors in returning to Thailand. He also cited feedback received during the APEC meeting indicating that many people wanted to visit the country again.

The government expects tourism to remain buoyant in the fourth quarter of 2026 and wants to maintain the positive momentum, particularly as higher energy costs could affect the aviation and tourism industries.

Ekniti said introducing the tax at this time could increase the financial burden on the public and airlines. It could also affect foreign tourists who would have to pay the tax when leaving Thailand after visiting the country.

The government therefore considers it inappropriate to impose additional costs under the current circumstances, he said.