AOT Hikes Passenger Fee to 1,120 Baht; Exit Tax Separate

Thansettakij•Economy•21d ago

Reader Briefing

Thailand's Ministry of Finance is considering an "Exit Fee" of 1,000 Baht for Thai citizens traveling abroad to boost domestic tourism, a separate initiative from Airports of Thailand's (AOT) increase in passenger service charges.

•Airports of Thailand (AOT) has increased its Passenger Service Charge (PSC) from 730 Baht to 1,120 Baht per passenger, effective June.
•The Ministry of Finance is studying a proposed "Exit Fee" of 1,000 Baht for Thai citizens traveling abroad for tourism, excluding those traveling for work or study.
•The Exit Fee aims to generate approximately 10,000 million Baht annually to fund domestic tourism stimulus programs like 'เที่ยวคนละครึ่ง' (Travel Together) and prevent Thai capital from flowing abroad.
•The Exit Fee is based on existing legislation from 1983 (1983) and was previously collected in 1997 (1997).

Overview

•Airports of Thailand (AOT) announced an increase in the Passenger Service Charge (PSC).
•The AOT PSC has been raised from 730 Baht to 1,120 Baht per passenger, an increase of 390 Baht.
•The AOT PSC increase is set to take effect in June.
•The AOT PSC increase is distinct from the Ministry of Finance's proposed "Exit Fee" of 1,000 Baht for Thais traveling abroad.
•The "Exit Fee" is currently under study by the Ministry of Finance and has not yet been implemented.
•The Ministry of Finance is consulting with the Thai Travel Agents Association (ATTA) and other relevant agencies regarding the "Exit Fee".
•The "Exit Fee" is intended to generate approximately 10,000 million Baht annually to support domestic tourism promotion programs like "เที่ยวคนละครึ่ง".
•The "Exit Fee" would mean Thai citizens traveling abroad for tourism would face an additional cost of 1,390 Baht per trip (PSC + Exit Fee).
•The Ministry of Tourism and Sports stated that the "Exit Fee" is based on a Royal Decree from 1983 (1983), previously collected in 1997 (1997).

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Source: Thansettakij (Original)

Key Quotes

Minister of Tourism and Sports

"The said fee is a Royal Decree (P.R.K.) on collecting departure tax, which originated in 1983 and was previously collected by Thailand in 1997."

ค่าธรรมเนียมดังกล่าว เป็นพระราชกำหนด (พ.ร.ก.) การเก็บภาษีเดินทางออกนอกราชอาณาจักร ซึ่งเป็นพระราชกำหนดที่เกิดขึ้นตั้งแต่ปี 1983 ที่ประเทศไทยเคยดำเนินการจัดเก็บมาแล้วช่วงปี 1997

Key Entities

Organization

Airports of Thailand (AOT)(ทอท.)ℹ️

The state-owned company that operates and manages Thailand's international airports.

Ministry of Finance(กระทรวงการคลัง)ℹ️

The government ministry responsible for financial and economic policy in Thailand.

Ministry of Tourism and Sports(กระทรวงการท่องเที่ยวและกีฬา)ℹ️

The government ministry responsible for developing and promoting Thailand's tourism sector.

Person

Mr. Surasak Phanjaruenwongul(นายสุรศักดิ์ พันธ์เจริญวรกุล)

Minister of Tourism and Sports, who commented on the proposed 'Exit Fee'.

Law

Exit Fee

A proposed 1,000 Baht fee for Thai citizens traveling abroad for tourism, under consideration by the Ministry of Finance.

Passenger Service Charge (PSC)(ค่า PSC)

A fee collected by Airports of Thailand (AOT) for airport services, typically included in airfare.

Policy

Travel Together(เที่ยวคนละครึ่ง)

A government stimulus program aimed at encouraging domestic tourism in Thailand.