Thailand eyeing introduction of departure fee -- newspaper
- Proposed 1,000 baht ($30) departure fee for all air travelers.
- Legislative ceiling set at a whopping 5,000 baht ($150) for future hikes.
- Airlines forced to act as tax collectors, padding your ticket price automatically.
- Overland and sea travelers get a free pass, for now.
Brief Summary
Thailand is looking to pad its coffers by slapping a $30 departure tax on anyone flying out of the country. The Thai Ministry of Finance is currently pushing a bill that shifts the burden of collection onto airlines, ensuring the fee is baked into your ticket price before you even reach the airport. While the initial hit is $30, the law includes a sneaky 'legislative ceiling' that allows the government to jack that price up to $150 without ever having to step foot in parliament again.
Why This Matters
If you are planning a vacation or business trip to Thailand, expect your travel budget to take an immediate, mandatory hit. This isn't just a one-time charge; by delegating collection to airlines, the government ensures you won't even notice the fee until it is too late to back out. Furthermore, because the law allows for a massive increase up to $150, you should prepare for the cost of international travel to become increasingly unpredictable as foreign governments treat tourists like bottomless piggy banks.