Regarding backpackers, I completely understand the sentiment. Nevertheless, in recent years, a significant number of backpackers have caused disruptions, particularly in popular tourist provinces, leading many locals to support this measure. Realistically, these are two separate issues; we should strictly enforce the law against unruly tourists rather than relying solely on taxation. That being said, 300 Baht is roughly equivalent to just a few cans of beer, so personally, I don’t anticipate it being a major deterrent—at least, I hope not.

As for the outbound travel tax, the rationale is actually quite straightforward. The government simply wishes to welcome foreign visitors while encouraging Thai citizens to travel domestically rather than spending abroad.

Lastly, regarding the allocation of these funds into the central budget, I believe this stems from the fact that many provinces cannot yet be self-sustaining. To put it simply, local tax revenue in those areas is quite limited. Therefore, the central government must step in to manage and redistribute funds to support lower-income provinces, as tax collection is heavily concentrated in a handful of high-traffic tourist destinations. In fact, even as a Thai citizen, I can barely name ten provinces that are truly high-yielding.

By 2028 there will be two rail routes to North Thailand — Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai —so the options for heritage train tours in the northern region will be more varried linking two destinations and offering more land tour options for the train operator.

Andrew J Wood

It is even a bigger challenge for Myanmar, a country that has just emerged from a 5 years civil war after the recent national election. Myanmar tourism has been most severely impacted and suffering from these unfortunate recent geopolitical conflicts and is trying to recover. Therefore, it deserves support from all stakeholders especially tourism players of the Greater Mekong countries.

As an avid promoter of Mekong tourism for 2 decades plus, I have signed up to support this forum immediately and looking forward to help contributing in a small way as I did before.

I do recommend the Myanmar government to open up the borders immediately for foreign visitors to enable seamless travel by land.

Thks Marvin spot on!

The new entry tax is set to take effect on the 20th June across all 6 airports under AOT. The current which is bundled up with air tickets. The arrival fee/tax/PST will increase to THB 300 (iup +53% ) Slated for travel insurance and infrastructure and a proposed new departure tax of Bt 1,120 (unclear what this tax will be used for?

Andrew

Thks Martin they bundle with air ticket so collection is relatively efficient HOWEVER the govt announced just recently it will not be THB 1,000 but higher at THB 1,120 per person!

Airports of Thailand (AoT) says the planned 53% increase in the international passenger service charge to THB 1,120 from June is UNLIKELY to deter travel demand.

BUT I say perhaps not individually, but collectively Thailand’s growing list of tourism-related fees, taxes and surcharges is beginning to send the wrong message at the wrong time.

Andrew