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October 16, 2026 at 10:27 pm
Thai AirAsia sounds the alarm over a ฿1,000 departure tax as Thailand’s tourism recovery stalls again and dives. Foreign arrivals reach just 23.94 million, ASEAN demand drops 20%, and travel agents warn of ฿150 billion in lost spending. Yet more taxes are on the table for an industry that never recovered from the 2020 shutdown.
Thai AirAsia chief Tassapon Bijleveld warns that Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas’s proposed ฿1,000 departure tax threatens international flights and Thailand’s ailing tourism industry. Travel agents fear losses of up to ฿150 billion annually against projected tax collections of just ฿45.9 billion. Meanwhile, foreign arrivals have reached only 23.94 million, with weekly numbers falling 7.49%. Tourism receipts remain ฿360 billion below 2019 levels, while ASEAN arrivals have plunged 20%. Yet the government is considering another ฿450 tourist entry fee. With consultation closing on 29 October, airlines and tourism operators are challenging plans to impose fresh charges on an industry still struggling to recover from the draconian COVID-19 shutdown in 2020.

Thai AirAsia chief Tassapon Bijleveld warns a ฿1,000 departure tax could cut flights as tourism falters. Travel agents fear ฿150 billion in losses amid falling arrivals.
(Source: Thai Air Asia)
Thai AirAsia executive chairman Tassapon Bijleveld has warned that Thailand’s proposed ฿1,000 departure tax could undermine international flights and tourism. His intervention comes as the country’s foreign tourism recovery continues to disappoint.
Meanwhile, industry leaders estimate that the measure could cost Thailand up to ฿150 billion annually in lost tourism receipts. New government figures show just 23.94 million foreign arrivals by 10 October, with weekly numbers falling 7.49%.
Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas is pursuing the tax despite Thailand’s failure to regain its pre-pandemic tourism business. Seven years after welcoming almost 40 million foreign visitors, the kingdom remains hundreds of billions of baht short of its former annual tourism earnings.
Tassapon warns departure tax could cut international flights as government plans more tourist taxes
Tassapon, executive chairman of Asia Aviation, which operates Thai AirAsia, has criticised the government’s proposed departure tax. His intervention reflects concerns across the Airlines Association of Thailand, representing seven carriers.
The airlines fear higher charges could weaken passenger demand and undermine the economics of international routes. Consequently, fewer outbound passengers could make services less profitable, prompting carriers to reconsider flight frequencies and destinations.
The concern extends beyond Thai passengers travelling overseas. Airlines depend on sufficient demand in both directions to sustain international services. Therefore, weaker outbound traffic could reduce the number of seats available to foreign tourists entering Thailand. Such reductions would affect an industry still struggling to rebuild its international business.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas is overseeing proposals for a ฿1,000 departure tax affecting Thai nationals and foreigners. Separately, the government is considering a ฿450 entry fee for international tourists.
Both would add to existing airport charges, including the ฿1,120 international passenger service charge at Airports of Thailand facilities. If all three applied to an eligible traveller, the combined amount would reach ฿2,570.
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