‘Tourism fee’, now for all travellers to Thailand, ready to launch

[webfact]

 

The planned 300-baht tourism fee is now expected to apply to all foreigners without exception, serving as insurance coverage of up to 500,000 baht per person in case of accidents.

 

Mongkon Wimonrat, assistant permanent secretary at the Tourism and Sports Ministry, said the collection method and system for those arriving by air is now ready to launch. However, he said the ministry needs to conduct further studies on land and sea entry, meaning the program will start when all ports of entry are equipped with feasible collection methods.

 

The tourism fee was initially planned for collection from international arrivals, with the exception of diplomats and expatriates in Thailand.  However, Mr Mongkon said exemptions for certain groups cannot be implemented as airline ticketing systems have to embed the fee, and airfares only recognise passenger information listed in passports.  As a result, the fee collection will apply to all entrants who are not Thai citizens, regardless of nationality or visa type, he said.

 

“The 300-baht fee will guarantee insurance coverage during foreigners’ stay in Thailand for up to 30 days,” said Mr Mongkon.  For travellers encountering an accident, riot, terrorism attack, natural disaster or other incidents, coverage is restricted to a maximum of 500,000 baht, while coverage for any damage caused by emotional distress cannot exceed 20,000 baht, said the ministry.

 

In the event of death, the insurance pays out 1 million baht per person, while coverage for crematory expenses is up to 150,000 baht per person. Covid-19 and other types of illness are excluded from this coverage, said the ministry.

 

“The government has to reconsider the timeline to start this program,” said Mr Mongkon. “Some countries have not fully reopened, so we might have to wait for a more appropriate time to launch.”  The fee has been repeatedly postponed since it was proposed in January this year, with an uncertain timeline for its launch.

 

The entry fee for day-pass entrants will be reduced from 300 baht to facilitate cross-border trade and business, he said.

 

The Airlines Association of Thailand last month raised concerns about the scheme as the fees applied to foreigners might be regarded as discriminatory. 

 

In June the ministry removed the program from the agenda of a cabinet meeting, saying the fee collection method for land entry had not yet been decided.  If the program is approved by the cabinet, fee collection should start within 90 days after publication in the Royal Gazette.

 

Source: https://royalcoastreview.com/2022/07/tourism-fee-now-for-all-travellers-to-thailand-ready-to-launch/

 

-- © Copyright Royal Coast Review 2022-07-15

 

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[Zaphod]

Since all "foreigners" will be paying this 300 baht fee, will my thai citizen spouse's airfare be 300 baht less than mine??

[DezLez]

3 minutes ago, webfact said:

coverage for any damage caused by emotional distress cannot exceed 20,000 baht,

As a long term resident can I claim "emotional distress" for being forced to pay 300Baht for insurance that I do not want need or is of any use to me?

[ThailandRyan]

5 minutes ago, Zaphod said:

Since all "foreigners" will be paying this 300 baht fee, will my thai citizen spouse's airfare be 300 baht less than mine??

That is food for thought.  When you buy a ticket does it ask for nationality? If it does why not put Thai in the drop down box.....is that how they will be charging the extra 300 Thb, or will every traveler pay it regardless.....

[DezLez]

10 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

That is food for thought.  When you buy a ticket does it ask for nationality? If it does why not put Thai in the drop down box.....is that how they will be charging the extra 300 Thb, or will every traveler pay it regardless.....

That will not work according to the main article;

"Mr Mongkon said exemptions for certain groups cannot be implemented as airline ticketing systems have to embed the fee, and airfares only recognise passenger information listed in passports.  As a result, the fee collection will apply to all entrants who are not Thai citizens, regardless of nationality or visa type, he said."

[KhunLA]

Make it 1000 baht.   Though seems a bit unfair to those responsible tourist that arrive with more than enough insurance coverage.  They need to put the $100k USD / 3mill baht plan back in service for all arrivals.

[John Drake]

Actually, this sounds okay to me.

[ThailandRyan]

7 minutes ago, DezLez said:

That will not work according to the main article;

"Mr Mongkon said exemptions for certain groups cannot be implemented as airline ticketing systems have to embed the fee, and airfares only recognise passenger information listed in passports.  As a result, the fee collection will apply to all entrants who are not Thai citizens, regardless of nationality or visa type, he said."

Missed that ....

[ThailandRyan]

Just now, John Drake said:

Actually, this sounds okay to me.

It however only covers a traveler for 30 days. Expats etc. who stay longer than 30 days have no use for it.

[John Drake]

1 minute ago, ThailandRyan said:

It however only covers a traveler for 30 days. Expats etc. who stay longer than 30 days have no use for it.

Yes, saw that. But maybe this will make them stop yakking about health insurance for retirement, as most of the really horrendous accidents seem to occur with younger daredevil tourists. Guess this leaves 90 day visas uncovered too.

[2long]

Anyone remember the 700B cash fee to LEAVE Thailand?

[ezzra]

300 baht that peanuts, recently i have been slugged for $3000 AUD for 2 weeks quarantine back in February 21 from NSW revenue department, something i had no knowledge about staying in a 3 star dump with bad food in Sydney, and now you have no choice but to pay the extortion or they will find a way to make you pay...

[JonnyF]

Sounds OK if they really provide the insurance as promised.

 

I'd imagine making a claim will be like getting blood out of a stone since the money will have already been diverted into officials pockets with no intention of returning it to foreigners making valid claims.

[theoldgit]

It's seems to be only a basic accident insurance, Covid-19 and other types of illness are excluded, and I suspect the "other types of illness" will be the catch all to ensure there's no cover for any illness.

[StayinThailand2much]

1 hour ago, Zaphod said:

Since all "foreigners" will be paying this 300 baht fee, will my thai citizen spouse's airfare be 300 baht less than mine??

Will be interesting to read about reactions, once tourists book a flight to Thailand, and a 'Foreigners fee' is added to the ticket...

[StayinThailand2much]

21 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Sounds OK if they really provide the insurance as promised.

Yeah, right! ????

[greeneking]

40 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

It however only covers a traveler for 30 days. Expats etc. who stay longer than 30 days have no use for it.

And another department is considering extending the 30 day entry on arrival.  Are they talking together?

[John Drake]

20 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Will be interesting to read about reactions, once tourists book a flight to Thailand, and a 'Foreigners fee' is added to the ticket...

Back in the US where I'm from, people are paying $4.59 for one Big Freak'n Burrito and $6.59 for an order of Mucho Nachos. Things cost so much there that 300 baht is going to seem like chump change.

[sanuk711]

So...this will be in affect for Ex-pats as well.  So I am now covered for any accident sickness up to 500,000 baht ....Yes ???....is that just for the year ?  But only for air arrivals -- ??

 

 

.

[jvs]

3 minutes ago, sanuk711 said:

So...this will be in affect for Ex-pats as well.  So I am now covered for any accident sickness up to 500,000 baht ....Yes ???....is that just for the year ?  because a border trip every 12 months is fine with me.

It would have to be a border trip every 30 days.

 

[jvs]

What about the small letters?

Riding a motorbike?Doing a dangerous sport like walking in a soi and being chased by dogs?

Will this discourage people from buying real travel insurance?

Imaging 20 million people coming to Thailand,you do the math.

A nice little earner i say.

 

[internationalism]

only 20% of those 300b (so only 60b) goes for insurance.

Much more goes to the fee collecting service - they got 30% commission so 90b.

The rest 50% is 150b and that goes for tourism development.

 

This accident insurance for 30 days covering up to 500k might be a good deal for some travellers, but now days most have their own health insurance, travel insurance and even separate accident insurance - which all cover accidents and with higher cover, in millions of baht or even $ and euros.

So this up tom 500k cover will be divided between different insurers, one including tourism ministry fund.

As this policy will allow only hospitalisation at the government hospitals, which are very reasonably priced, those insurance claims will be rather low, in tens of thousands in the great majority of cases.

Cost of orthopedic operation in thailand is around 100k, hospital stay is from 1350 to 2000b, so even serious accident with a month hospitalisation might be only some 150k total.

[internationalism]

9 minutes ago, sanuk711 said:

So...this will be in affect for Ex-pats as well.  So I am now covered for any accident sickness up to 500,000 baht ....Yes ???....is that just for the year ?  But only for air arrivals -- ??

 

 

.

for 30 days and covers all border entries.

[internationalism]

14 minutes ago, jvs said:

What about the small letters?

Riding a motorbike?Doing a dangerous sport like walking in a soi and being chased by dogs?

Will this discourage people from buying real travel insurance?

Imaging 20 million people coming to Thailand,you do the math.

A nice little earner i say.

 

some thai issued accident policies do exclude moto accidents driving. Likely it also won't be included in this policy.

Travel insurance covers also health, so it's entirely to traveller if he gets separate policy.

Even regular health insurance have some international coverage for emergency treatments and for accidents. Probably many americans do have health insurance which would cover them in thailand, but not that many europeans have any health insurance

[flexomike]

25 minutes ago, sanuk711 said:

So...this will be in affect for Ex-pats as well.  So I am now covered for any accident sickness up to 500,000 baht ....Yes ???....is that just for the year ?  But only for air arrivals -- ??

 

 

.

read the article, good for 30 days several illnesses will be excluded

[DezLez]

17 minutes ago, internationalism said:

As this policy will allow only hospitalisation at the government hospitals, which are very reasonably priced,

If that is so what if you are not taken to a Government hospital? What will happen to the insurance and or bills?

[StayinThailand2much]

1 hour ago, John Drake said:

Back in the US where I'm from, people are paying $4.59 for one Big Freak'n Burrito and $6.59 for an order of Mucho Nachos. Things cost so much there that 300 baht is going to seem like chump change.

Maybe, but it makes a difference, whether you pay money for your food or for 'nothing' (meaning a corrupt government).

[John Drake]

8 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Maybe, but it makes a difference, whether you pay money for your food or for 'nothing' (meaning a corrupt government).

It may make a difference when the 300 is divided up into various destinations, especially on a mass scale. But for two Americans coming here, they will see "tourism fee" and that it costs both together about $16 and disregard it. What do I hope to come from this? The dismissing of those high profile stories about a tourist in the hospital with multiple hip, leg, and arm fractures and complaints about Thai hospitals paying for it. Now, it's "covered" according to their own rules. If the patient doesn't "pay," it's the system's fault, not the foreigner's. Heck I wouldn't mind if they made the idea applicable to year long extensions. Tack on another 3600 baht in "insurance" to the 1900 baht for extensions and leave us to fund the balance of our medical care as we see fit.

[PolarAttack]

2 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

That is food for thought.  When you buy a ticket does it ask for nationality? If it does why not put Thai in the drop down box.....is that how they will be charging the extra 300 Thb, or will every traveler pay it regardless.....

It’s based on your passport. Names must match. Even more so now than before. I had one ticket that was missing my middle name. That seemed to be a big problem. 

[LivingNThailand]

I just "fake" booked a trip from Bangkok to San Francisco on an  Asian airlines and the website did not ask me my nationality or passport information.  Unless they ask after you give them the credit card information...which I didn't give them, of course.

 

Then I "fake" booked a trip from Bangkok to New York on an US Airlines and the website did not ask me my nationality or passport information.

 

So I don't see how this is going to work.  Either everyone pays the 300 baht or they will have to collect as we are getting off the plane going through immigration.  ????  And I don't think immigration is going to want to do that, maybe.????