Thai Tourism Minister insists on collecting 300 baht ‘land entry fee’ on all foreign visitors, says will be to help tourists and transparent

[webfact]

PHOTO: Manager Online

 

By Nop Meechukhun

 

National – The Thai Tourism and Sports Minister confirmed that the 300-baht ‘land entry fee’ on all foreign tourists visiting the country would be eventually implemented, stressing that it would be used for tourists’ insurance and an emergency fund for those traveling in the country.

 

Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn told the Associated Press today, February 23rd, that the fee collection plan was still planned to be put into effect as it was a resolution that was issued long before his era. TPN media notes that the proposal for the entry fee has been hotly disputed on social media and by the tourism and hospitality industry.

 

Phiphat clarified that the money would be, according to him, used to buy insurance for travelers who visited Thailand, provide emergency services, and the remaining fee would be used as a fund for the tourism development, chaired by the Permanent Secretary. He also insisted that the collection process would be transparent and accountable to the public and not go into anyone’s “pocket”.

 

Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2022/02/22/thai-tourism-minister-insists-on-collecting-300-baht-land-entry-fee-on-all-foreign-visitors-says-will-be-to-help-tourists-and-transparent/

 

-- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2022-02-23

 

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[RandiRona]

10 minutes ago, webfact said:

Phiphat clarified that the money would be, according to him, used to buy insurance for travelers who visited Thailand, provide emergency services, and the remaining fee would be used as a fund for the tourism development

Isnt what you collect as a tax from hospitality industry should pay for??  

[Cherrytreeview]

The fact this clown ???? felt the need to say it won't go into anyone's pocket tells you all you need to know.

[Soikhaonoiken]

To help tourists..... What a Laugh.. 

You mean to help your self's to a slush fund.... 

[ukrules]

Are they planning on charging people at land borders? I believe they are.

 

The surrounding countries will not like this one bit and I fully expect them to reciprocate and charge at least the same to enter any land border crossings by 'all foreign tourists' - especially Thais.

 

 

 

[nightfox]

What's the big deal as just about every country in Asia charges a foreigner to enter their country. Only difference is Thailand calls a entry fee where most call it visa on arrival just like Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam as last time I checked it was $30 USD + to enter those countries. 

[freedomnow]

I guess ASEAN citizens entry will be exempt overland.

[Mywayboy]

1 hour ago, Soikhaonoiken said:

To help tourists..... What a Laugh.. 

You mean to help your self's to a slush fund.... 

Cheques in the mail & I won't #%* in your M!@#^.

Two biggest lies ever told.555

[Pique Dard]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Phiphat clarified that the money would be, according to him, used to buy insurance for travelers who visited Thailand, provide emergency services

lol! Minister Phipat is a smooth talker,  but any tourist knows  he's a cash cow

[cliobkk]

IF a 300 B flat fee is applied to all foreign visitors... will the double pricing policy (Thai / Non Thai ) end?
Not much clarity on how this raised money will be used for.... reason for so many doubts about the advantages of such a "Levy".
As a matter of fact Thailand is not the first...
https://www.responsibletravel.com/copy/tourist-taxes#:~:text=What are tourist taxes%3F,typically aimed at overnight visitors.

[findlay13]

35 minutes ago, Pique Dard said:

Phiphat clarified that the money would be, according to him, used to buy insurance for travelers who visited Thailand,

So we wont need to have insurance to enter now????? 

Edited February 22, 2022 by findlay13

[cnx101]

Just an edition to the never ending scams, more will follow 

[jcmj]

So they are going to keep the Thai Pass so they can track you.  You have to have health insurance, And you get charged 100%+ more to go to any attractions. Sounds like a great place for a holiday. ????????

[ukrules]

2 hours ago, freedomnow said:

I guess ASEAN citizens entry will be exempt overland.

I doubt that very much, this is an entrance fee for all foreigners - it's going to cause big problems for local countries.

 

[inThailand]

Thai Tourism Minister insists on collecting 300 baht ‘land entry fee’ on all foreign visitors, says will be to help tourists and transparent. 

 

When it comes to money here there never is transparency. Will this be any different? 

[ezzra]

This man is going about the 300 baht fee like a 2 bob watch, take the 300 and shut up about it already, but just so you know, you're not fooling anyone and these 300 baht will be just another tax scam unless you do away with the the silly 2nd PCR test to start with Mr. sprot and money grabbing minister...

 

[4MyEgo]

This is just balance things out of course, i.e. the departure tax recently went up from 500 baht to 700 baht, but why stop there, now they want to charge 300 baht to get in, so it's an even 1,000 baht per head, or an extra 500 baht per head increase, or 100%. 

 

There is no stopping greed, hmmm, wonder if expats will have to pay this 300 baht as we are not tourists. I think unless we have a Thai surname we are all tourists then, cough, cough.

 

https://travelhappy.info/thailand/thailand-airport-departure-tax-increases-to-700-baht/#:~:text=The Airports of Thailand authority,50 Baht to 100 Baht.

Edited February 22, 2022 by 4MyEgo

[yogi yogi]

this is a good idea we need to do it too. all countries should be charging this.  just add it to the other taxes.  will taxes cost more than the ticket?

[frankie machine]

i had no idea it's possible to pound the nails into your own coffin

[Dialemco]

2 hours ago, nightfox said:

What's the big deal as just about every country in Asia charges a foreigner to enter their country. Only difference is Thailand calls a entry fee where most call it visa on arrival just like Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam as last time I checked it was $30 USD + to enter those countries. 

Thailand also charges visa fees understand delay implementing 300 Bht entry fee is because airlines have stated this is illegal. Alternative is simple increase the departure tax to Bht 1,000 and include with tickets cost it would have to be payable by every one including Thais. This is a small amount considering enormous expenses to enter Thailand under the Thailand Pass which is considered mainly of interest to sex tourists as not family attractive as costs are outrageous 

 

 

 

[jacko45k]

1 hour ago, findlay13 said:

So we wont need to have insurance to enter now????? 

I would expect the Covid insurance to remain for a spell, but at some point to be withdrawn. The insurances obligated by particular Visas, O-A, O-X and O-A Retirement Extensions is another consideration. 

[StevieAus]

When you see the amount of cross border traffic at Mai Sai, pre Covid, many of the Thai and especially Burmese are not really Tourists but involved in cross border Trade.

It will be interesting to see them trying to extract 300 baht from someone for whom that may be a days pay or more.

[jacko45k]

Just now, StevieAus said:

When you see the amount of cross border traffic at Mai Sai, pre Covid, many of the Thai and especially Burmese are not really Tourists but involved in cross border Trade.

It will be interesting to see them trying to extract 300 baht from someone for whom that may be a days pay or more.

Isn't going to happen is it! Nor do I see why they should be obliged to contribute to a fund cited as to be used to pay tourist expenses, like medical charges. 

[djayz]

And from those of us who are foreign residents here returning home too? 

Edited February 23, 2022 by djayz

[klauskunkel]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

it was a resolution that was issued long before his era.

He must be talking about the Mesozoic, and him then coming from the Paleozoic. Plenty of fossils from both eras...

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The Thai Tourism and Sports Minister confirmed that the 300-baht ‘land entry fee’ on all foreign tourists visiting the country would be eventually implemented, stressing that it would be used for tourists’ insurance and an emergency fund for those traveling in the country.

Yeah right !!!!

End of hospital treatment, here's your bill sir how do you wish to pay?

I thought I was insured on entry?

Nah, you gotta pay!

[jacko45k]

8 minutes ago, djayz said:

And from those of us who are foreign residents here returning home too? 

If it is indeed going into the airfare calculation, for sure you will pay it, as will Thais returning from overseas who fly in will have to. Don't expect it will apply to locals at land crossings, but very likely to tourists doing the same. Anyhow, still ironing out the creases......but I have it from a good source it is going to happen. 

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

He also insisted that the collection process would be transparent and accountable to the public and not go into anyone’s “pocket”.

That'll be a first.... accountable to the public and transparent.

[jacko45k]

1 minute ago, hotchilli said:

Yeah right !!!!

End of hospital treatment, here's your bill sir how do you wish to pay?

I thought I was insured on entry?

Nah, you gotta pay!

You think the 300 baht at the airport will cover the 300,000 bill they likely will present you with.... rather surreal I say.

[fulhamster]

So when you pay the 300 baht, will you be given your insurance policy straight away ??

 

Or same as road fines, 300 baht with receipt or 200 baht without ?