BANGKOK: The Revenue Department announced an online public hearing this week that it has sought views from Thai outbound tourists and foreign permanent residents of Thailand on the B1,000 government departure tax to prevent locals from overspending abroad.
Passengers fill the departure hall at Suvarnabhumi Airport during Songkran 2023. The proposed departure tax is intended to generate revenue for the government.Photo: Bangkok Post
The department posted a public hearing questionnaire on its website saying it wanted to hear from the public on the departure tax emergency decree under a law passed in 1983 to assess its impact.
Hearings are reportedly scheduled for May 3-17 bangkok post.
According to the questionnaire, Thai citizens and foreign permanent residents are required to pay a departure tax of B1,000 for air travel and B500 for land and sea travel.
Information accompanying the poll said the tax was aimed at generating revenue for the government and preventing excessive overseas spending by Thais, with a focus on reducing the trade deficit.
Charoen Wangananont, president of the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA), said the questionnaire came as a surprise when it was released earlier this week, although the public hearing meant it should be shared as widely as possible to assess the impact on local residents and travel agencies.
“This principle and the levy rate simply don’t make sense because Thailand has never had a problem with trade deficits related to tourism, with inbound revenue accounting for 70% of total revenue and outbound spending accounting for 30%. Also, B1 ,000 in current economic conditions It’s too expensive,” Mr Charoen said.
He said the taxation shouldn’t happen and isn’t realistic. Mr Charoen said that if the government wanted to propose such a tax, it should carefully assess the consequences, as it could have a significant impact on the tourism industry, exceeding any revenue estimated by the state.
“The first time we saw the polls we thought it was fake news because now is not the right time for such action. If the government really thought there was a need for a departure tax, it should have done it before the pandemic, when the tourism industry There is an upward trend. The levy rate should also be more appropriate,” he said.
Chotechhuang Soorangura, vice-president of the TTAA, said any departure tax should include a development plan so those who pay the tax understand how the government will use the revenue.
While some countries impose a departure tax, such as Japan, the price is only 1,000 yen per person, or around B250, he said.
“Apart from the very expensive tax rate, there is a lack of transparency as the government cannot clarify how it will use the money, which will help prevent corruption. Another problem is the expected 300-baht tourism tax on tourists. Foreigners in the the near future,” Mr Chotechhuang said.
He said that if the tax is implemented, the tourism industry will be affected because some outbound tourists will stop traveling, resulting in The flow of people is out of balance, making it difficult for airlines to plan flights to Thailand.
