Your visit to Thailand is about to become a little more expensive.
The Thai government says it will roll out a proposed tourist tax next year.
The Thai government says it will roll out a proposed tourist tax next year.
The THB 300 baht (around $13.50) fee will start with in-bound air travellers and will be implemented from mid-2025, the Bangkok Post has reported. .
Tourism and Sports Minister Sarawong Thienthong said the plan still requires cabinet approval.
“We are working out the details and will submit for approval in January next year,” he said.
“It will start with air passengers, the first phase which will be six months to take effect.”
The fee will later be imposed on overland travellers but around 70% of foreign arrivals arrive in Thailand by air.
Sarawong said the system will be set up to enable advance online payments to avoid delays at airports.
Tourism and Sports Minister Sarawong Thienthong said the plan still requires cabinet approval.
“We are working out the details and will submit for approval in January next year,” he said.
“It will start with air passengers, the first phase which will be six months to take effect.”
The fee will later be imposed on overland travellers but around 70% of foreign arrivals arrive in Thailand by air.
Sarawong said the system will be set up to enable advance online payments to avoid delays at airports.
I don't see a charge of $13.50 scaring away Australian visitors, but the plan must be implemented efficiently.
The project was approved by the previous government in February 2023, but it now requires a consensus from the new cabinet as the administration has changed since a general election.
The transaction system has been prepared and will be is powered by Krungthai Bank.
Once the government approves this project, the ministry will start a procurement process to recruit software developers and insurance companies to offer insurance policies for foreign tourists.
Tourists will apparently be covered for 1 million baht ($45,000) in the event of death from an accident, and 500,000 baht in case of injury.
The ministry has said people who frequently cross borders for trade purposes will not be affected as they will be able to use a border pass to be exempt from the levy.
The project was approved by the previous government in February 2023, but it now requires a consensus from the new cabinet as the administration has changed since a general election.
The transaction system has been prepared and will be is powered by Krungthai Bank.
Once the government approves this project, the ministry will start a procurement process to recruit software developers and insurance companies to offer insurance policies for foreign tourists.
Tourists will apparently be covered for 1 million baht ($45,000) in the event of death from an accident, and 500,000 baht in case of injury.
The ministry has said people who frequently cross borders for trade purposes will not be affected as they will be able to use a border pass to be exempt from the levy.
Image: Winsor Dobbin
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