Airport tax in Thailand: If the passenger does not fly, can the tax be refunded?

     Many people plan to book plane tickets to travel to various places, but when the travel date is approaching, there may be force majeure events that make it impossible to travel. Even if it's not caused by the fault of the airline, the person who bought the air ticket may ask for a refund of the airport tax.

      The “airport tax” has a legal name, “Passenger Service Charge” (PSC), with the current actual rates* as follows:

 For travel abroad

• Airports under the Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang, Chiang Rai and Hat Yai) collect a fee of 700 baht per person;
• Airports managed by the Department of Airports (Chumphon Airport, Ranong, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Krabi, Trang, Pattani, Narathiwat) collect 400 baht per person;
• Samui Airport collects 700 baht per person;
• Sukhothai Airport collects a fee of 500 baht per person;
• U-Tapao Airport collects a fee of 400 baht per person.

 Domestic travel

• Airports under the responsibility of Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited collect a fee of 100 baht per person;
• Airports where the Department of Airports is responsible collect a rate of 50 baht per person;
• Samui Airport collects 300 baht per person;
• Sukhothai Airport collects a fee of 200 baht per person;
• Trat Airport collects 200 baht per person;
• U-Tapao Airport collects a rate of 50 baht per person.

      However, under certain circumstances, travelers may request a refund of airport tax from the airline via email, or a request letter to the Customer Service Center or Call Center of each airline, by providing the following information:

• Specify the name - surname of the person who had the reservation;
• Flight details from origin to destination or booking number;
• Air ticket number, contact number to complete (if booking through a reseller, you may have to contact the reseller first).

      However, this should be done within the time and conditions specified by each airline. (Some airlines may have a booking processing fee.) The refund of the fare will depend on the conditions of each ticket type.

      * The above rates are the actual rates charged by each airport under the 2017 announcement of the Ministry of Transport on Departure Passenger Service Charges at Licensed Airports that provide services to the public.