YuSMP Travel Editorial Team
On 22 October 2026, Thailand's Finance Ministry postponed the proposed 1,000-baht departure tax that all foreign tourists would have had to pay on every exit from the country. The decision affects travellers of any nationality, including Russians: for now, there is no extra charge added when you leave Thailand, and the cost of your ticket won't rise because of it.
What exactly was postponed
Thailand's Revenue Department had been discussing a draft departure-tax law since summer 2026: the plan was to require every departing foreign traveller to pay 1,000 baht per exit, with the final rate (capped at up to 5,000 baht) to be set by a separate ministerial regulation. Public consultation on the draft ran through 29 October, but on 22 October Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas announced that the ministry "will probably not proceed with it for now" — in his words, so as not to slow the recovery of tourism during the busy season.
Why the government chose to wait
Cited reasons include a desire to keep tourism momentum going through the fourth quarter, a positive response to Thailand's recent hosting of the IMF and World Bank Group meetings in Bangkok, and rising airline operating costs linked to the conflict in the Middle East. The minister said the ministry will keep monitoring the situation and won't add extra financial pressure on travellers and airlines without good reason.
What this does not cancel
It is worth not confusing two separate Thai charges. The postponed departure tax (1,000 baht) is a Revenue Department initiative that would apply when leaving the country. A separate 450-baht entry fee, run by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports for all arriving foreigners, is unaffected by this decision and remains in force — we covered it in detail in our article on Thailand's tourist entry fee.
Thailand's two tourist charges: status as of 23 October 2026
| Charge | Collected when | Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Departure tax | on leaving the country | up to 1,000 baht | postponed 22 Oct 2026 |
| Entry fee | on arrival | 450 baht | in force |
What to do if you're flying to Thailand
For a trip you're planning right now, this decision doesn't add any cost: for now, you won't need to pay 1,000 baht when you leave the country, so you can plan your budget without that line item. The draft law isn't fully closed, though, so it's worth checking the status before buying tickets — for example via our Airlines section or the destination match tool, or compare Thailand against other seasonal destinations in the destination catalog.
Sources
- Nation Thailand, "Thai Finance Ministry delays departure tax to sustain tourism growth" — 22 October 2026
- The Thaiger, "Thailand's 1,000-baht departure tax delayed for now" — 22 October 2026
Rules and charges for leaving Thailand can change — check the current information on the Revenue Department of Thailand's website or with your airline before you fly.
