PATTAYA, Thailand – The Thai government has not yet made a decision on a proposed 1,000-baht fee for Thai citizens travelling overseas, with senior officials stressing that the idea remains under review and requires further discussion.
Speaking at Government House on April 28 after a Cabinet meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said the proposal must first be carefully examined in coordination with the Minister of Tourism and Sports.
She clarified that the matter has not yet been formally submitted for Cabinet approval and would need to go through proper review procedures before any decision is made.
The proposal was introduced by Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Pancharoenworakul, who suggested a 1,000-baht charge per outbound trip for Thai nationals. The idea has drawn public attention and debate regarding its potential economic and travel impact.
However, Suphajee Suthumpun said she has not yet seen full details of the proposal and will need to hold further discussions with the relevant minister before taking a position.
She emphasised that the issue requires careful and thorough consideration before any policy direction is set, particularly given its potential impact on public travel costs.
The proposal remains in the early discussion phase, with no official approval or implementation timeline announced.
