Thailand proposes introducing a departure tax for those leaving the country by plane

2 hours ago

Thailand proposes introducing a departure tax for air travelers

The authorities of Thailand are studying the possibility of introducing a special departure tax. The Kingdom's Ministry of Finance has submitted the corresponding initiative for public discussion, reports The Nation.

According to the bill, a tax of 1,000 baht (about $30) is planned to be levied on all passengers leaving the country by air. It will need to be paid before departure, and it is expected that airlines and travel agencies will automatically include this amount in the price of air tickets. The maximum tax amount could reach 5,000 baht, though the criteria for tariff graduation have not yet been specified. No fee is planned for those leaving Thailand by land or sea.

Earlier, starting September 15, 2026, the Thai authorities reduced the visa-free stay period for foreign citizens from 60 to 30 days. According to tourism industry experts, this has had almost no impact on tourist flow, as most vacationers visit for a period of 8 to 15 days.

It was also reported that starting September 15, 2026, citizens of Uzbekistan require a pre-arranged visa to travel to Thailand. Previously, Uzbek citizens could stay in the country visa-free for up to 60 days. This decision was made by the Thai government, which explained it by the need to strengthen national security and better manage tourist flows.

At the same time, the visa application process itself turned out to be not so simple. The application is submitted online through the Thai e-Visa system, but it is processed by the Thai Embassy in Moscow, which also serves applicants from Uzbekistan. Furthermore, the consular fee cannot be paid directly on the website.

To obtain a tourist visa, an international passport, a photograph, confirmation of air tickets and accommodation, as well as a bank statement are required. An application can be submitted no earlier than 90 days before the trip. The processing time specified by the consulate is several working days, but in some cases, it may take longer.

It was also reported that it is not necessary to travel to Moscow in person to make the payment: the money can be deposited at the embassy by a representative of the applicant. In Tashkent, there is also an option to use an intermediary. However, there is currently no unified mechanism that would allow paying the fee independently from Uzbekistan.