Thailand Defers Departure Tax as Tourist Arrivals Trail Last Year

On October 22, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas stated that the Government of Thailand would not proceed with a proposed departure tax for now, citing the fourth-quarter high season and the need to avoid additional costs for travelers and airlines. The postponement does not affect the separate THB450 (approximately USD 13.32) entry fee for foreign visitors. As of October 17, 2026, Thailand had received 24.42 million foreign arrivals this year, down 4.12% year on year. However, long-haul arrivals rose 10.55% week on week, and the United States moved from Thailand’s seventh-largest to fifth-largest source market. The Thai Hotels Association stated on October 10 that ASEAN visitors had declined by about 20% and warned that additional travel charges could make Thailand less competitive with destinations such as Vietnam and Hong Kong, while flooding and household repair expenses were weighing on domestic tourism.

Revised visa exemption rules took effect on September 15, ending the 60-day scheme and introducing 30-day exemptions for 60 countries and territories, including the United States, and 15-day exemptions for Seychelles and Mauritius. These changes could influence longer-stay travel, although the available arrivals figures do not establish their contribution to the overall decline. To support domestic demand, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) partnered with seven airlines to offer THB500 (approximately USD 15) discounts per domestic flight segment for travel through January 15, 2027, with 46,780 discounted seats redeemed shortly after launch. For U.S. travel and hospitality businesses, the deferral removes a near-term cost for travelers and airlines, which could support demand, while differences across visitor markets remain important for planning.