Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports has announced that it will be implementing a tourism fee for foreign visitors to the country. This fee will be used to develop local destinations and infrastructure, as well as provide insurance coverage to foreign tourists. The fee was originally scheduled to begin in June of 2020, but has been postponed until 1 September 2023 to ensure that the system for collecting the fee operates smoothly.
The fee will be charged to foreign visitors arriving in Thailand by air, with a rate of 300 baht (approximately $10) per person. Those arriving by land or sea will be charged a lower rate of 150 baht (approximately $5). One-day visitors will be exempt from the fee.
Discussions are currently underway between the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and various airlines to determine the appropriate method for collecting the fee, in accordance with the rules of the International Air Transport Association. The fee will not be collected from foreigners with work permits or border passes.
The funds generated from the tourism fee will go towards developing local destinations and infrastructure in Thailand, as well as providing insurance coverage to foreign tourists. This move is part of the government’s efforts to boost tourism to the country and provide a better experience for visitors.
Overall, the tourism fee is an important development for the tourism industry in Thailand, and is expected to have a positive impact on the country’s economy. The delay in implementation will give the Ministry of Tourism and Sports time to ensure that the system for collecting the fee operates smoothly and effectively, while also giving airlines time to prepare for the changes.