The cabinet yesterday approved an amended ministerial regulation to increase the airport tax on international flights. As of April 1, air travelers leaving Thailand will have to pay a 500-baht airport tax each.

An additional revenue of two billion baht from the tax increase will support the country's fiscal 1998 budget.

Currently, the departure tax is 250 baht at the Bangkok International Airport, and 200 baht each at Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and Phuket airports.

The cabinet said yesterday the tax increase would have a slight impact on Thais who represented only 17% of the total number of air travelers.