A NEW entry fee of 300 baht being levied on foreign tourists entering Thailand from April 1, 2022 onwards will generate approximately 1.5 billion baht from the 5 million holidaymakers expected to travel here this year, Matichon newspaper said today (Jan. 12).
Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the money collected will be placed in a national tourism development fund which has been set up according to the National Tourism Policy Act B.E. 2562 (2019) with Office of the Permanent Secretary at the ministry to be responsible for taking care of it.
However 50 baht from the 300 baht fee will be used to buy insurance cover for tourists to the tune of 1 million baht in the event of death and maximum 500,000 baht for medical treatment.
It is expected that after this deduction there will be 1.25 billion baht left to channel to urgent tourism projects this year.
Phiphat added that the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) had proposed the collection of an additional 200 baht for a total of 500 baht from each tourist but a study by Naresuan niversity advised against it. However TAT could propose projects to get cash from this fund
He also pointed out that many countries had already slapped this fee on holidaymakers including European states, Japan and Malaysia. Most of them have either included this fee as part of the airfare or room rate which is no different from what Thailand is doing.
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Top: A foreign tourist enjoying himself at a Thai beach. Photo: NNT
Home Page: Foreign tourists arriving in Thailand. Photo: Matichon
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