Deputy PM Halts Departure Tax to Protect Tourism
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanpraphas has suspended plans to collect an outbound travel tax, citing concerns it would duplicate existing arrival fees and harm the current tourism recovery. The decision follows consultations with the Revenue Department and aims to capitalize on strong international interest in Thai tourism following recent IMF-World Bank and APEC meetings. Ekniti said the tax's implementation timeline will be reassessed later after evaluating the impact on airlines and the overall tourism climate.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanpraphas stated he had consulted with the Revenue Department and decided that collection of the outbound travel tax would not proceed at this time, as priority must be given to the tourism atmosphere. 'We must seize the opportunity presented by the IMF-World Bank meetings — the world wants to return to Thailand. We want to maintain this positive momentum. From the APEC Finance Ministers' meeting, everyone said they want to visit Thailand again. I think Q4 tourism will be bustling, so the departure tax will not be used for now.' Regarding when it might be implemented, Ekniti said the situation must be assessed first, because collecting it now would affect airlines, as arrival fees are already collected. Charging both inbound and outbound would be duplicative.
