1 minute ago, b2bme said:

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. 

I meant 39.8 million tourists

5 hours ago, 473geo said:

I'm far from a rich man but 300 baht is not going to have an effect on me, however there will be a cumulative benefit for Thailand

 

I don't begrudge 300 baht in these hard times

If you live here it isn’t exactly going to affect you...now if that 300thb was going towards feeding the poor then.........

5 minutes ago, b2bme said:

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. 

Departure tax isn't a uniquely Thai thing, most countries in the world have it. Do you question what those countries spend it on ?

Since the funds are earmarked to pay for medical costs for foreigners does that mean that retirees will no longer be required to buy overpriced and undervalued health insurance?  
 

asking for a friend!

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

 

Am I missing/not understanding something?  I thought, as of last year, foreign tourists are already required to have their own insurance policy (with $100,000US coverage for COVID).  So how is this fee helping to fund "insurance for foreign tourists"?  

 

Also, I thought when you pay for your tourist visa - or whatever type of visa you use to visit or stay in Thailand - the cost of that visa WAS your entry fee.  In other words, if you want to visit Thailand, you need a visa - and here's how much it costs.  But the "entry fee" is something different?  If I have a multiple entry visa, does that mean I have to pay the 300 baht every time I leave and return to the country?

Must be time to upgrade his new Merc.

5 minutes ago, Tracyb said:

Since the funds are earmarked to pay for medical costs for foreigners does that mean that retirees will no longer be required to buy overpriced and undervalued health insurance?  
 

asking for a friend!

Only if they deem us as permanent tourists and not change the goal posts so that extensions make us permanent residents with none of the perks.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The money collected will go to the tourism promotion fund.

 

So tourists entering Thailand will essentially paying Thailand to promote their own country to other tourists? ????

What the minister meant, of course ,when he stated these funds will go towards Thai tourism, is that he wants  the money to send his wife, his and her parents,  cousins, uncles, childfren, and assorted hangers on  , on a   extensive, expensive world tour, to broaden  their oulook on life, and let them see how lucky they are to live in wonderful, clean, honest  Thailand.    Im sure the little general and the watchkeeper   have similar plans.

5 hours ago, ukrules said:

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.

What part of this did you find difficult? - "The online fee"

5 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

How about 500 baht in entry and free health care for all tourists - I think we'd all be happy with that

Sure then every cancer patient in the world could get millions in care for 500 baht

9 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

Departure tax isn't a uniquely Thai thing, most countries in the world have it. Do you question what those countries spend it on ?

It's a fair comment what you say and true many countries charge it.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Departure_tax

And yes I have questioned before in other countries. I see it as a lazy way of raising revenue. Im not against taxes where they result in a positive contribution to infrastructure or services. 

52 minutes ago, Salerno said:

 

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

Great list you have there. It's mainly hotel tax, that all guests have to pay no matter if foreigner or locals. The same thing you pay here when you stay in hotels btw. 

 

 

Wow! Wow! Wow! Just when a country needs more tourists they come up with an idea to make it more difficult and expensive. The departures tax got incorporated into fares many years ago, now they want to add an ARRIVALS tax? <deleted>.

 

At least they are only applying it to "tourists" so those of us on retirement, marriage, work or education visas/extensions will not have to pay?

 

The incompetance of this government is beyond belief. They have truly shown their colours for greed now. 

 

ADDED: I've now read all posts and theoldgit's comment above about UK APD (departure tax) is correct. I think fees like this should be added to the fare and made clear.  

 

5 minutes ago, Rael007 said:

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

 

Am I missing/not understanding something?  I thought, as of last year, foreign tourists are already required to have their own insurance policy (with $100,000US coverage for COVID).  So how is this fee helping to fund "insurance for foreign tourists"?  

 

Also, I thought when you pay for your tourist visa - or whatever type of visa you use to visit or stay in Thailand - the cost of that visa WAS your entry fee.  In other words, if you want to visit Thailand, you need a visa - and here's how much it costs.  But the "entry fee" is something different?  If I have a multiple entry visa, does that mean I have to pay the 300 baht every time I leave and return to the country?

Covid insurance covers only covid, other insurance covers everything else.

Tourists already pay  Bht 1000 departure tax. Need some clarification  what arrival tax of Bht 300 covers is it to fund medical insurance whilst in Thailand?

 Since there is unlikely to be any substantial tourists arrivals until 2022 suggest more should be done to encourage tourism when it is safe to do by way of incentives and extension of visa waiver scheme for stays up to 60 days

Well, we all know that they will do if ine way or another... if before we had to pay 500b to get out and now is included in the flight ticket... tickets to come to Thailand 300b more expensive.

Like Shoppe: 100 + 20 (shipping) or 120 and free shipping! 555555

5 hours ago, Deserted said:

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

I once paid Bangkok Flight Services about $20 USD to have a beautiful young lady meet me at the gate, escort me to a faster immigration line, then walk me out to get a taxi. Another $30 lets you chill in their lounge. No "special" service though.

6 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.

Pay to get in, pay through the nose while you're here, and pay to get out... 

sounds more like a good reason to go elsewhere.

26 minutes ago, b2bme said:

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.

The 500 baht you refer to is the Passenger Service Charge levied by every country which is now 700 baht for Thailand, by comparison it is 3010 baht for the UK.

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

So what exactly does this "insurance" cover, i wonder ??

I'm on an extension of stay so not a tourist so presume I won't have to pay..........unless it's just a blanket tax aimed at all foreigners entering Thailand at any time.

8 minutes ago, soi3eddie said:

 

Apologies if said already as I havent read all 7 pages of posts.

 

Wow! Wow! Wow! Just when a country needs more tourists they come up with an idea to make it more difficult and expensive. The departures tax got incorporated into fares many years ago, no they want to add an ARRIVALS tax? <deleted>.

 

At least they are only applying it to "tourists" so those of us on retirement, marriage, work or education visas/extensions will not have to pay?

 

The incompetance of this government is beyond belief. They have truly shown their colours for greed now. 

 

I think every foreigner will have to pay it, not just ''tourists.'' I can't see the differentiating between different visa classes! 

C????????L???????? so now they can’t complain about tourists not having insurance 

45 minutes ago, theoldgit said:

 

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.

I believe that is for airport fees, sometimes called PFC. Passenger facilities charge. I have heard of Airline staff who train it to Paris to avoid !

5 hours ago, 473geo said:

I'm far from a rich man but 300 baht is not going to have an effect on me, however there will be a cumulative benefit for Thailand

 

I don't begrudge 300 baht in these hard times

300 bht cheap insurance 

Why THB 300? Why not an orange?

The Nation article is very sparse in it's information. The other newspaper's article is slightly, but not much, better.

 

One problem is that if tourists are led to believe that the 300 baht fee gives them insurance cover, many won't bother to buy travel insurance and the number of foreigners requiring free treatment will steadily increase, possibly to the extent that the 300 baht becomes insufficient and the fee suddenly goes up.

 

I'm talking post-Covid here, if we ever get there!

Whats the new tourist slogan going to be?  Welcome to Toxic Thailand?  Perhaps they should put some of the tourist grafted Baht towards crop clearing machines.

 

I don't begrudge it if it is truly going to where it is intended. However, TIT!