The government of Thailand proposed to introduce a new tax on tourists – now for leaving the country. According to the proposal of the Department of Revenue of Thailand, a departure tax of 1,000 baht (1,100 hryvnias) will be introduced for all departing air passengers, both Thai and foreigners.
For those who leave the kingdom, by land or water, there will also be a tax, but less. However, local representatives of the tourism market are trying to challenge this law.
The focus, however, is not on foreign tourists, but on Thais, although everyone, including foreign tourists, will pay the tax. For example, according to the proposal, airline passengers would be charged 1,000 baht to leave the country, and those leaving by land and sea would be charged 500 baht, “to discourage residents from spending too much money abroad”.
However, so far this proposal for a new tax is at the level of proposals and internet surveys. In it, the “general public” is offered to share their opinion until May 17.
The announcement, however, has already been met with criticism from tourism officials who believe the tax will hurt Thailand’s recovering tourism industry, especially as the perpetually deferred 300 baht “tourism tax” is still on the shelf against the background of concerns of the industry. In addition, they add a departure tax that would be an additional headache for airlines.