StayinThailand2much

To be fair, others (e.g. Chinese and Indians, etc.) will have to pay it too, but knowing corruption in Thailand, it is unclear whether all that money (or a large chunk of it) will not end up in private bank accounts of a few influential people, or whether it simply will be misappropriated (e.g. for buying more submarines)...

Because Thais would have to pay it too... Also, the 700 baht is the airport tax, so charging 1,000 baht instead and 'redistributing' 300 baht out of it to whom/whatever could be tricky.

The country with notoriously bad infrastructure wants to conquer outer space! And it isn't even April Fool's Day yet...

In reality it might work out same this; queue up at currency exchange counter behind Chinese tour groups for one hour to buy Thai baht, then line up for 1.5 hours at the 'Entrance Fee Counter' to pay the 300 baht, and getting a receipt, before joining the Immigration queue. - Some clever businessmen could make a fortune selling water and sandwiches...

How many people (except expats) have Thai baht in the pocket when arriving? Sure, great news for currency exchange counters...

The 500 baht (later 700 baht) was the Don Muang airport tax, which was only later incorporated into the flight ticket.

I didn't say I trusted the numbers. I just mentioned the other topic. But yes, "tourists", according to the TAT are also job seekers from neighbouring countries, salesmen, and expats, some of whom may cross the border a dozen times a year, perhaps not even staying 24 hours...

They can go 'green' or yellow, or whatever colour, but I personally won't use them, for obvious reasons.

They most probably did. However, there is more demand for wor..., I mean tourism, from Laotians, it seems...

China - Historical Population Growth Rate Data Year Population Growth Rate Growth Rate 2023 1,425,671,352 -0.02% 2022 1,425,887,337 0.00% 2021 1,425,893,465 0.07% 2020 1,424,929,781 0.22% 2019 1,421,864,031 0.34% 2018 1,417,069,468 0.48% Source: https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/CHN/china/population-growth-rate I would speculate 0.25% (or more) of the population, so, at least, 3.5 million. (I base my assumptions on the still positive growth rates in 2019 and 2020.

They will probably put 1 or 2 counters to collect the fee just before Immigration. Expect long queues...

According to another topic here, there were 900,000 tourists just during the first half of January.

Currently in NZ. The (cheapest) beer I buy here often is 135 baht, or so (Steinlager). You guys there are lucky!

Thais and foreigners with work permits exempted... So, either a credit card reader or/and cash payments at check-in counters and entry points; can't imagine the chaos.

... worth 10 million baht??

That's right, tear down all the bars and build something useful on Walking Street, like another 25 convenience stores, a dozen pharmacies, half a dozen burger joints, and the same number of Starbucks outlets... ????????????

Reading the news, one is under the impression that Thailand relies on the goodwill and fortune (in 'everything', not just tourism) of only one other country. Good luck with that!

I'm surprised they stopped short of mentioning 'suspicious foreigners'...

Probably just a translation with Google Translate... ????

How can you become a millionaire (well, with 1.5m) in Thailand? - You arrive as a multimillionaire, and forfeit 88.5% to a very happy car dealer, who gives you a big 'wai' for your generosity, after you return the car...

And they can't wait for millions more Chinese to arrive...

Maybe they asked him to add ice to his beverage, but he disagreed. ????

Yes, true, but not 10x or more like in Thailand. No foreign tourist would complain if the price was 2x the locals' price.

Just a normal day in Pattaya then...

Probably an old video.