41 minutes ago, Dogbarker said:

Why not increase it to 500baht and give some insurance or something of value ....?..

 

Maybe you didnt read the OP

 

"Phipat said the fee would help fund management and development of Thai tourism, as well as insurance for foreign tourists during their stay."

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Phipat said the fee would help fund management and development of Thai tourism, as well as insurance for foreign tourists during their stay

What kind of insurance is he talking about?

9 hours ago, Don Chance said:

12,000 baht for a STV then another 300 baht?  These people are nuts!

 

The ASQ is already a dual price scheme.  The hotel is only worth $20 and meals another $5 each, so $35 per day --not $100!

 

Don,add on your your two weeks expenses that you saved,not spending any money in asq,  rent, food, bills etc, take that off the ASQ bill. 

37 minutes ago, Buriramfelang said:

 

"As of January 11, a total of 1,114 tourists had entered Thailand on STVs, with another 123 set to arrive this month"

By my reckoning thats 1,237 this month. How does that possible equate to 10 million for the year. It'll be a very steep curve ????????

I think they count from when they started the STV, which was 2-3 months ago. So in average about 300-500 per month.

500*12 = 6000 for TAT that's nearly 10 million...

4 hours ago, ukrules said:

This is pathetic on every level. They could at least do something useful with the money like provide a basic emergency health insurance policy but no, not in Thailand ????

 

No doubt there will be special counters (toll booths) at every port of entry where you can stand in line like a moron for an hour or two to pay the fee.

Read the OP....it is paid online.

So if you don't have a computer, you don't come in !    LOL

Me and my wife are willing to leave Thailand forever....i had big problems to get yearly visa's but managed to jump all the hoops...now Thailand won't let me in to extend the visa..add the pollution to that, the high baht, the always changing rules....i'm DONE with it and know better places to go to.

This is a really weird move, so if and when things get back to normal, those of us here in Laos, already have to 1000baht Visa/entry fee after our 2 'freebie' visa's, so does that mean we are going to have to pay 1300 Baht ??? Crazy !

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Phipat said the fee would help fund management and development of Thai tourism, as well as insurance for foreign tourists during their stay.

I thought everyone entering has the 100,000 usd insurance cover already?

Do we need to put it in a red or brown envelop?????

The National Tourism Policy Committee has approved the Tourism and Sports Ministry’s proposal to collect a Bt300 fee from every tourist entering the country, said minister Phipat Ratchakitprakarn on Thursday.

 

They should ask for 10 K entrance fees for the use of the deadly vans, 5 K for the use of Chinese high speed trains and another 5 K for entering a "World Class Standard Destination." 

 

Un- believable. 

 

   

How would you prove you are a resident as opposed to a tourist?

4 minutes ago, jossthaifarang said:

I thought everyone entering has the 100,000 usd insurance cover already?

Yes also that, i have health/travel insurances for 3 million us$ but don't think i can get into thailand with those! The covid is not included....

Dirty money grab.

 

27 minutes ago, Don Chance said:

12,000 baht for a STV then another 300 baht?  These people are nuts!

 

The ASQ is already a dual price scheme.  The hotel is only worth $20 and meals another $5 each, so $35 per day --not $100!

How is it dual pricing ? Its the same price for a foreigner or a Thai.

 

I doubt they are making any huge profit after meeting all the ASQ requirements, every 2nd room is empty, covid testing, PPE for staff, extra cleaning, transport etc

2 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

How is it dual pricing ? Its the same price for a foreigner or a Thai.

I was surprised to learn, when requesting quotes for ASQ, that some of the ASQ hotels have a "Thai rate" and if you look to the ASQ page on Fac.....ook you will see that at least 5 hotels openly advertise their special rate for nationals. 

26 minutes ago, Aarin said:

No country in the world do you pay a tourist entry fee.

 

When Thai bashing always good to at least try to get your "facts" right. An "entry" fee by another name ...

 

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

Mercedes Benz and BMW sales staff,  have just wet there knickers.  

Reading comments on TVF that will not be problem for a "rich" western tourist and expats as per them only they spend big money in Thailand ( Chinese, Indian or Russian are cheap charlies). ????????

1 minute ago, Bezdomny said:

Reading comments on TVF that will not be problem for a "rich" western tourist and expats as per them only they spend big money in Thailand ( Chinese, Indian or Russian are cheap charlies). ????????

I think you will find thats a myth perpetuated by westerners who think they are propping up the Thai economy, Chinese have the shortest stay but have the biggest daily spend. 

5 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

The constant repetition of insulting state sponsored schemes to rid tourists of money just becomes tiresome.

 

Thailand is seriously hurting due to the absence of international tourist yet complete imbeciles are still trying to figure out ways to scheme more money from the very people it wants to attract. 

 

So often I’m astonished by the outrageously flawed mindset of those in positions who come up with this stuff. 

 

When I read news such as this I draw the opinion that Thailand doesn’t deserve tourists, but sadly it is the general population who would be hurt, while those in positions of power dream up more schemes from which to graft and skim funds.

Amen Richard!

   Wow!  123 SVT tourists expected this month!  If they all actually come that's almost 4 a day!!!   Well, now, here's a TAT program that's a rousing success!  With that kind of track record for promoting tourism with wonderfully well-thought out plans like this that tourists are clamoring to sign up for I see no reason why they don't deserve this 300 baht a tourist raise.  Just think of what they'll come up with next!  I'm tingling with anticipation.  And, let's not forget, when sales are down, raise the prices--so simple!

22 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

How is it dual pricing ? Its the same price for a foreigner or a Thai.

 

I doubt they are making any huge profit after meeting all the ASQ requirements, every 2nd room is empty, covid testing, PPE for staff, extra cleaning, transport etc

It's only the same price for a Thai if they choose to quarantine in an ASQ facility, otherwise it's free.

4 hours ago, Deserted said:

This is a rather backwards manoeuvre, I remember paying 500 baht at the airport just to be let out of the country. As long as the fee is less than a bar fine, most people won't be too unhappy. If it goes off maybe they should employ bar girls to collect it and escort tourists to an office for some V.I.P treatment for a few mins also. 

Great idea, just put the money in the slot!

1 minute ago, theoldgit said:

It's only the same price for a Thai if they choose to quarantine in an ASQ facility, otherwise it's free.

Yes, but free is a mattress in a disused army barracks, hardly a comparison.

4 hours ago, Deserted said:

This is a rather backwards manoeuvre, I remember paying 500 baht at the airport just to be let out of the country. As long as the fee is less than a bar fine, most people won't be too unhappy. If it goes off maybe they should employ bar girls to collect it and escort tourists to an office for some V.I.P treatment for a few mins also. 

 

Whilst those flying to Thailand from the UK pay a 3,700 Baht "exit fee" (APD) to fly out of the UK if they're flying in an economy seat, 7,040 Baht in a premium seat.

Another day another thought bubble."How can we get a rake off today?"

Just now, Peterw42 said:

Yes, but free is a mattress in a disused army barracks, hardly a comparison.

 

Of course it's a comparison, it's a matter of choice, and they're not all disused army barracks they do use hotels, my Durch friend was very satisfied with his free Thai accomodation in Phuket.

Does this mean, that they will end the dual-pricing and all other special rip-off prices for foreigners?

4 hours ago, ukrules said:

 

You still pay that exit tax but they make the airline collect it, in fact they increased it well beyond the old 500 Baht level, can't remember what it is now though.

 

At least you don't need to stand in line to pay it any more.

In 2019 they had 19.8 million tourists. Multiply x 500 baht (which I'm sure most people don't know they are paying as its embedded in the ticket price, and they never got to experience the machines of 20 years ago) and it adds up to a reasonable sum of money. I wonder where this money actually goes. Considering airlines, hotels, hotel apps, golf resorts, do most of the advertising, what role does the Thai tourism department perform. 

Maybe they advertise (or pass on incentives) in those "quality" tourist countries. Perhaps it pays for their functions and dinners.

Its not only revenue from departure tax but they get a cut from other tourist attractions and I wouldn't be surprised it was their idea some 25 years ago of double pricing. 

17 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

I think you will find thats a myth perpetuated by westerners who think they are propping up the Thai economy, Chinese have the shortest stay but have the biggest daily spend. 

Because Chinese spend a lot of money in luxury shops, but this just makes the rich more rich and ends up in some offshore bank accounts.

The Westerner spending on the other hand goes to normal people who themself spend it again.

 

9 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

Yes, but free is a mattress in a disused army barracks, hardly a comparison.

Barstool talk? The free state quarantine when arriving by plane are 3 or 4 star hotels, some of them look quite nice.