Bangkok governor candidate Sakoltee seeks to collect city tax from foreign tourists

[ikke1959]

Low THb means more expensive hotels, 300 THB entrance fee and now a city tax.... Go on an chase the tourists away.... As i wrote before hire someone with knowledge on the tourist industry from a foreign country instead of the moneyseekers here

[IamNoone88]

The city tax is loathed by visitors to any city where it is applied. Kiss good bye to any long-term visitors to hotels.

[madmitch]

Many cities have a hotel city tax that is clear for all to see.

 

Thailand has hotel city taxes, generally known as room tax, that is hidden from the public, no doubt including the candidate who thinks he has come up with a bright idea!

[vandeventer]

Never Enough, Never Enough for me? I just love this song. But it seem like some in Thailand take it to heart.

[thailand49]

That is why nothing changes all these candidates have one thing in common they are from the same swamp. son, daughters, nephews, cousind etc,  all taught and think the same way all related to those already in office or have influence whoever wins election night they got their feet up laughing saying " suckers born everyday " voter ate stupid. ????

[socabeat]

BKK City tax... good idea to keep away the Farangs.

[smudger1951]

Once again, we see the "Blame the farang" and "Farang pay" mentality on the slightest justification.

[BangkokReady]

2 hours ago, DezLez said:

How would it work for resident/semi resident Farangs?

You know exactly how it would work.  These things are foreigner taxes not tourist taxes.  And, of course, Thais far wealthier than most foreigners would not have to pay...

[BangkokReady]

44 minutes ago, apophyss said:

A city tax have to exist for all people,

i mean for local people and for tourist.

 

Not only for tourist !

No, no, no.  You misunderstand.  Foreigners are bad and Thais should hate them and take as much money from them as possible.  This is the way!

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

“When we travel to other countries, we will have to pay city tax when staying at a hotel,” Sakoltee said. “I am considering implementing that in Bangkok.”

Just goes to show how much Thailand needs tourism to bail them out of the mire.

Trouble is all these little additions add up to the point other locations start to look better.

[BangkokReady]

1 hour ago, mokwit said:

Sure, why not. Tourists will put up with absolutely anything to experience Thainess.

And if the receptionist greets them with a friendly wai and says "if you don't like it then go home", their experience will be complete.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, petermik said:

Idiot.......a city tax is already levied on Hotel bookings here.

Always room for more gouging.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, smedly said:

more wood

Dead wood or drift wood?

[johnnyloda]

Dear my know-it-all, in Europe, the city tax paid at the hotels, is not paid only by the foreigners but by all the people visiting the city, including the citizens of the same state.

Moreover, in the civilized countries, there is not the double/triple/quadruple price for the foreigners when they visit local attractions.

Anyway, this new move will surely help to reach the billions foreign tourists that TAT is expecting for this year.

Edited April 29, 2022 by johnnyloda

[paddyfield7]

It is correct that some western countries do charge a visitor's tax, usually built in in the hotel rate. What this philistine does not know nor understand is that you get a precious countervalue for it, such as perfect public transport systems, often free local transportation, safety in traffic in general and on pedestrian crossings in particular. And to start a discussion about a city tax in Bangkok exactly at the same moment as Thailand considers a THB 300 visitor's tax says it all.....

[SomchaiCNX]

Once again, one does not need a brain to go in politics.

 

[Millcx]

Another Day Another Joker “;0)

[johnnyloda]

2 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

No modern infrastructure in Bangkok? What about the BTS and MRT lines? 

Good idea to keep the Cheap Charley's out.

Try to go around Bangkok on a wheel chair and then we'll talk about it ... 

[Jimbo2014]

With mask mandates, bar closing times, pollution, crowds and high costs an extra tax should be a real draw for tourists everywhere.  Welcome.  ???? 

[DualSportBiker]

What better way to pay for the appalling state of Bangkok's roads, sidewalks and general trashy state than to ask those who stay a few days to pay for it. Whatever you do, don't ask the residents, those who use the roads every day, or those who drop trash as soon as they have finished their food or drink to pay for their own city to be kept clean. This idea comes from the same smelly hole that put tesakit muppets on Sukhumvit trying to fine non-smoking tourists 2,000 Baht for dropping cigarette butts.

 

"We made Bangkok dirty, let's have someone else pay for it."

[RichardColeman]

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

“When we travel to other countries, we will have to pay city tax when staying at a hotel,” Sakoltee said. “I am considering implementing that in Bangkok.”

OK, so let the outside world enforce a travel insurance premium on ALL Thais in reciprocation of this idea (and the daft pass) - Oh, right that would be xenophobic to Thais

[Purdey]

Thais do think that farang are ATM machines on legs. This plan could rebound when overseas media start spreading the news that Thailand is gouging more money from foreigners. There are other countries to choose from.

On the other hand, visitors may say, well it isn't a lot and we can afford it. 

Let's see.

[catch104]

Fair enough...
Pls do not forget to tax emplty land in the city that have 1 banana 3 for 20m2 to avoid paying taxes on empty land... Maybe it's time to close those loop holes that have been made by, and for the ultra rich...

[4MyEgo]

Personally I can't see huge numbers of tourists coming and going this year, think about that for a minute.

 

If one has a mortgage, interest rates are going up, meaning higher repayments, cost of grocery items and fuel prices are on the up, airline tickets and health insurances are on the up.

 

Those coming for a holiday will be the ones who either have money, not many, or are back packers who will sleep in parks or wherever they can.

 

Great idea this City tax on top of every other tax, can't wait for his next genius idea and the real tourist numbers coming at years end. 

 

 

 

Edited April 29, 2022 by 4MyEgo

[Bangkok Barry]

After the Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on Thailand’s key tourism industry, the Kingdom is attempting to reclaim its pre-pandemic position. 

 

Just the normal Thai School Of Business Method. When sales are down put the price up.

 

“No one has thought of this.”

 

Not no-one. Everyone, if they are Thai. No-one applies only if they are not Thai.

[sandyf]

5 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Disqualified. You don't know anything about VAT? Numskull. 

Different taxes, one has to assume you haven't traveled much.

 

A tourist tax is different from the fee you pay for your visa and from a value-added tax, which is a consumption tax placed on certain products and which you'll also find in many destinations. In Tanzania, for example, the government began charging an 18% VAT in 2016 on tourist services like such as ground transportation, water safaris, and camping fees, according to Travel Weekly.

 

"Here are 42 countries that charge a tourist tax."

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

[Zack61]

Will no doubt generate a tourist bonanza.

[sandyf]

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Always room for more gouging.

Nothing unique.

 

In the 2019-2020 Programme for Government, we committed to consult on, and introduce, legislation to give councils the power to apply a transient visitor levy – often called a tourist tax. This will enable local authorities to introduce such a levy if they consider it right in their local circumstances and is a further example of our commitment to devolve more power to local councils.

https://www.gov.scot/policies/tourism-and-events/tourism-tax-discussion/

[fakser]

3 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Keep on upping the prices without any modern infrastructure and you'll soon find yourselves priced out of the market you operate in. 

“Without any proper infrastructure”? Are we talking about the same country?

[IAMHERE]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

have to pay city tax when staying at a hotel,

I thought I did pay. I think 10% plus an additional 7% for a total of 17% tax on not just hotels but almost everything in Thailand.

OH, also the exit tax of 700 baht that is  being raised. 

Edited April 29, 2022 by IAMHERE