Thai Tourism Ministry considers collecting tourism fees

[Dcheech]

1 hour ago, smedly said:

Western tourists are tuned in - they cannot be manipulated the same way which is why they don't want us here even though we have been the backbone of tourism here for decades

 

Lets see how long it lasts - Chinese tourists are not going to be stupid for ever

Remember the boat accident, followed by the security guard belting a chinese guy around the airport?! Chinese social media went into hyperdrive. It knocked off Chinese tourism by at least 25 percent if not more. I get the idea Chinese are going to be a lot less forgiving and accepting of scams and unsafe tourism than euros are. I also in no way think the Thai are capable of making any real changes to their tourist industry, so accidents will happen, and beat downs. They killed one golden goose, why would anyone think they won't kill another.

 

BTW This is the second year running that the 'Light has Failed'. No wonder health minster Anutin is angry, but he can't say anything about the Chinese so. Those ---farang. 

[overherebc]

5 hours ago, pegman said:

Will the last foreigner leaving Thailand please turn off the lights!

After he pays the electricity bill of course.

[ChipButty]

2 hours ago, joecoolfrog said:

Yet the same return ticket is generally far cheaper bought in the UK rather than Thailand.

I think you are right, I was checking for my daughter the other day there was a big difference buying the ticket in England

[overherebc]

23 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

I think you are right, I was checking for my daughter the other day there was a big difference buying the ticket in England

Friend of mine who, has sadly passed on, used to fly back twice a year for treatment in uk. Bought his first ticket here and then bought the rest uk to here returns in uk. I think by the second ticket bought in uk he had covered the loss of the first return un-used and started saving quite a bit. Having the benefit of booking well in advance helped.

Edit.

Just did a quick search and cheapest was £350 return 1 stop 13 hrs. That is probably the base cost without add ons.

Edited February 11, 2020 by overherebc

[allstarplayer090]

Not sure if this was already said or not. I'm not reading all 23 pages.
But many countries in the region already do this. I had to buy entries to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Thailand would not be the first country to enact this policy. I do not think a small entrance fee is going to deter many people from coming. What is 300 baht when you are paying 30,000 for a plane ticket alone.

[Kenny202]

57 minutes ago, Dcheech said:

Remember the boat accident, followed by the security guard belting a chinese guy around the airport?! Chinese social media went into hyperdrive. It knocked off Chinese tourism by at least 25 percent if not more. I get the idea Chinese are going to be a lot less forgiving and accepting of scams and unsafe tourism than euros are. I also in no way think the Thai are capable of making any real changes to their tourist industry, so accidents will happen, and beat downs. They killed one golden goose, why would anyone think they won't kill another.

 

BTW This is the second year running that the 'Light has Failed'. No wonder health minster Anutin is angry, but he can't say anything about the Chinese so. Those ---farang. 

Google boat accident Thailand. Looks like it is a pretty regular occurrence

[RocketDog]

On 2/10/2020 at 5:18 AM, RJRS1301 said:

Surely this would be more environmentally friendly, less expensive and more efficient tooperate

I doubt it. When you consider the initial cost, maintenance, operator training all on an imported machine. It would fall into disrepair very early on. 

The cost of labor here is drastically low and the government needs to provide unskilled jobs. 

[FNQ]

On 2/10/2020 at 4:41 AM, Chelseafan said:

Beat me to it...

 

 

Same.

[Amber53]

On 2/10/2020 at 9:44 AM, Farangwithaplan said:

https://www.insider.com/countries-that-require-a-tourist-tax-2019-2

 

Are you considering all of these country's governments as irresponsible?

 

Do you really believe this tax would help/ be used for protecting natural resources ? As for enhancing infrastructure, what infrastructure???

[justin case]

On 2/10/2020 at 4:00 AM, webfact said:

the renovation of tourism attractions and natural resources

so .. thais pay (as good as) nothing and farangs 3x - 10x more for visiting some national park, fees included in the ticket and it is still not enough ... looooooooooooool

 

hope this fake news get international attention and the last people really invested their money &  holidays in other countries

[RubbaJohnny]

On 2/10/2020 at 5:47 AM, YetAnother said:

why not just have 'greeters' at the airport with their open hands out demanding money ? that is their deep intent anyway 

Better have them strategically positioned in watering holes , where pre oiled visitors may be more malleably managed.

[spidermike007]

Thailand was making a fortune from tourism. Asking tourists to pay to keep up Thailand's their own attractions is repulsive, offensive, inane, arrogant, ignorant, and just plain dumb. Why do they think we come here? Do they know no limits when it comes to turning off the tourism markets? 

 

One would think by now, that they are starting to get the idea that Thailand is no longer the center of the universe, and that tourists are seeking alternatives, to avoid dealing with such nonsense. Yet, where the humility that comes with lessons learned? 

 

Many of us really like the Thai people, but very few of us like the army or the hapless government. Personally, I despise them, and I think at this point, most Thais do too. 

[smedly]

3 hours ago, Dcheech said:

Remember the boat accident, followed by the security guard belting a chinese guy around the airport?! Chinese social media went into hyperdrive. It knocked off Chinese tourism by at least 25 percent if not more. I get the idea Chinese are going to be a lot less forgiving and accepting of scams and unsafe tourism than euros are. I also in no way think the Thai are capable of making any real changes to their tourist industry, so accidents will happen, and beat downs. They killed one golden goose, why would anyone think they won't kill another.

 

BTW This is the second year running that the 'Light has Failed'. No wonder health minster Anutin is angry, but he can't say anything about the Chinese so. Those ---farang. 

very true 

[Ventenio]

if you no like you no stay...then you go with money and give to ANOTHER country that likes you.... ok ok.  easy easy.

 

if you stay then they know you no smart you will pay more and you no leave so you pay and pay and pay

 

why live where FARANG means Bad Bad Devil Bad Bad Bad Bad.  LOL

 

 

[Expat Brad]

On 2/10/2020 at 5:21 AM, RJRS1301 said:

Will it be an entry tax on those on SETVs/METV, Visa exempt or will be collected on all non Thai passport holders on exit?

Where are the safeguards and guidelines that money goes into tourist development only? Not used to buy cars for employees of government agencies and Tourist Police

You funny man...... ha ha ha!!!

[overherebc]

56 minutes ago, RubbaJohnny said:

Better have them strategically positioned in watering holes , where pre oiled visitors may be more malleably managed.

We shall now take the Regimental Oath 

(Goon show)

 

Open your wallets and say after me.

 

'Help yourself'

[Lacrimas]

Strong currency, scams and now this. Who's gonna visit this country in the future?

[nursebob]

On 2/10/2020 at 4:41 AM, Chelseafan said:

Beat me to it...

 

 

me too, so if tourists pay for upkeep of attractions, why can't they pay same entrance fee as locals? 

[RJRS1301]

4 hours ago, overherebc said:

After he pays the electricity bill of course.

If he pays at Big C he will need his passport with him

 

[overherebc]

5 minutes ago, RJRS1301 said:

If he pays at Big C he will need his passport with him

 

Not at 7/11.

[metisdead]

Some inflammatory posts and replies have been removed.

 

Troll posts and the replies have been removed.

 

Off topic posts and the replies have been removed. 

[Scot123]

6 hours ago, allstarplayer090 said:

Not sure if this was already said or not. I'm not reading all 23 pages.
But many countries in the region already do this. I had to buy entries to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Thailand would not be the first country to enact this policy. I do not think a small entrance fee is going to deter many people from coming. What is 300 baht when you are paying 30,000 for a plane ticket alone.

Some people have principles. There already are charges entering Thailand and then the government sangtioned dual pricing sorry encouraged dual pricing, the latest hospitals. Note I wonder if this post will be deleted as it appears one can not say the truth. 

[mngmn]

22 hours ago, Paul Henry said:

...Thai business people...

An oxymoron if ever there was one ????

[Max69xl]

29 minutes ago, Scot123 said:

Some people have principles. There already are charges entering Thailand and then the government sangtioned dual pricing sorry encouraged dual pricing, the latest hospitals. Note I wonder if this post will be deleted as it appears one can not say the truth. 

And don't forget that people entering Thailand on different type of visas pays for them. But the dual pricing is not uncommon. Every western country charges a lot more than 100% extra for tourists without a travel insurance when visiting a hospital. 100 times or more if we're talking surgery. This is something most people don't know anything about. 

[uncleeagle]

This will probably harm Thailand’s economy.

 

Tourists generally and on average have a fixed amount they will budget for holidays. Taxing them doesn't change the total amount of their budget, it simply reallocates the way that budget is spent.

 

Money they pay as a new tourist fee is just money they don’t then spend on their holiday in bars, cafes, malls etc.

 

But as governments are notoriously poor and corrupt spenders of tax and money spent by businesses and individuals is generally used more efficiently, there will be a net loss to the economy, effectively in a marginal reduction in the velocity of money.

 

Some tax is always necessary, but the question is how much, who pays it, how is it collected and how is it spent.

 

In this case the Thai government is essentially saying they think they should receive that money instead of private businesses. In my opinion they are being naive, greedy and once again exposing their ignorance.

 

[apophyss]

This is SOCIALISM (and populism)

people ask to add new tax, but they dont want to pay it (ask other people, like rich people to pay it).

 

Every problem have a tax solution.

 

 

 

 

 

Same mamassan explain to new bar girl the rules :

"if you not come work, you have to pay barfine, but dont worry, you dont pait it, your customer will do it for you."

(but the customers don't accepts this rules (he came after that) so only the girls accept it, she's trapped)

 

 

[sandyf]

10 hours ago, joecoolfrog said:

Yet the same return ticket is generally far cheaper bought in the UK rather than Thailand.

That does not affect the tax on passengers leaving the UK which is based on distance, short haul up to 2000 miles is £26 and long haul is £150, and people complain about 700 baht.

[sandyf]

10 hours ago, joecoolfrog said:

Yet the same return ticket is generally far cheaper bought in the UK rather than Thailand.

You can always argue the toss over flight prices but as it happens I booked a flight yesterday with Emirates to Manchester and as a matter of interest just checked the price for the same flight in reverse, cheapest option came up at £895, I paid 21.540 THB.

[wotsdermatter]

On 2/9/2020 at 4:32 PM, bangkokfrog said:

Foreigners already pay "tourism fees" in the form of dual pricing.

That also includes those who are not tourists but live here full time.

nuf sed.

[greeneking]

3 hours ago, Scot123 said:

Some people have principles. There already are charges entering Thailand and then the government sangtioned dual pricing sorry encouraged dual pricing, the latest hospitals. Note I wonder if this post will be deleted as it appears one can not say the truth. 

Lack of clarity and probability of corruption again.

Is it 300 baht? Does this get you an insurance policy? Covering all a tourist might do? Jet skis, rock climbing, motor bikes, elephant riding...crossing the road?

Is there a named person saying he has thought it all through?