Cabinet set to decide on 300 baht fee for foreign tourists

[Iamfalang]

a zillion people visit America every year and walking past a hospital there will cost you 100,000,000,000,000 baht.   insurance.  

 

 

[vandeventer]

1 hour ago, findlay13 said:

Welcome tourists, come and pay here????

So if they don't pay the 300 baht do they send them back home?

[IAMHERE]

4 hours ago, Chelseafan said:

The stupid ones...

So about half ?

[Thailand]

It's money , it's pretty much nailed on.

[khunjeff]

9 hours ago, internationalism said:

so the government was covering 700mln bht for some 40mln tourists - so on average 20b per person.

They (allegedly) paid that 700M over the course of three years, not just one, so it actually covered about 113 million total tourist arrivals - an average of under 7 baht per person. And according to the World Bank, those tourists generated about 184 billion USD in revenues for Thailand, or roughly 1600 USD per head. Certainly sounds like a financial crisis to me ????

 

Of course, as many have pointed out in the past, it also strains credulity to believe that so many people managed to escape without paying their bills. Anyone who has ever been in a Thai hospital knows that they almost always demand payment upfront, and, if they don't, won't allow you to leave until you've paid your bill. @Sheryl has also mentioned that many of these "non-payers" probably have foreign insurance, but the hospital billing departments don't understand how to communicate with overseas companies. 

[Robbie2618]

Seriously, I'm not going to get into the merits of the fee in itself whether it makes any sense. But for all the people posting that it will chase tourists away your in some dream land, not a single person is going to decide not to come to the Kingdom over what amounts to $10 USD as they are already spending considerably more than that to come here even the cheap backpackers. Just look at your ticket its full of fees. This forum is just full of cranky old grouches who would complain when the sun rises and then when it sets. 

[jcmj]

I thought the dual pricing into all of the parks and attractions would be enough to support the tourism fund. Silly me. 

[Bangkok Barry]

It's actually an entertainment tax. From another of today's reports:

Two groups of teenage students allegedly had an altercation in front of the Pattaya police station before firing three rounds from a firearm into the sky, terrifying nearby tourists.

[metisdead]

An off topic post has been removed.

[easydoor]

In case this 300THB fee makes you don't come to Thailand I only advize: STAY HOME. It is the best thing you can do as you also will not spend, except some money in the bars.

[edwinchester]

"...... the fee collection system is now being prepared."

[Retiredandhappyhere]

How many times is this same subject going to be discussed by the Government?   In most countries, the Government makes up its mind on a particular subject and then makes an announcement of its decision to the public.

 

In Thailand, we are initially led to believe, from a Government announcement, that a decision has been made but then later on it emerges that the plan has been delayed for a certain or indefinite period and the saga then goes on and on, leaving the public in the dark. A few recent examples: Entry fees, seat belts, wearing of masks and bar opening times.

 

This must be one of the most indecisive Governments in the world, particularly when we consider the real power they have.

[micmichd]

14 hours ago, DezLez said:

"Between 2017-2019, the Thai government spent more than 700 million baht compensating the Public Health Ministry after uninsured foreign tourists had received medical treatment in Thailand but had left the country without paying their bills."

 

Have they published what is the projected loss of overall revenue if fewer visitors arrive due to the fee?

Guess not. That's not the Public Health Ministry's business. The Public Health Ministry's business is to check the medical bills are getting paid. 

[damo1967]

14 hours ago, DezLez said:

"Between 2017-2019, the Thai government spent more than 700 million baht compensating the Public Health Ministry after uninsured foreign tourists had received medical treatment in Thailand but had left the country without paying their bills."

 

Have they published what is the projected loss of overall revenue if fewer visitors arrive due to the fee?

Are you seriously saying people will not come to Thailand because of a small 300thb fee?  Hmm, maybe Thailand will be better off without those tourists!

[IamNoone88]

Maintain the compulsory travel insurance and have done with it. No insurance, no entry. AseanNow is full of news of foreigners chalking up uninsured motorcycle accidents and associated large hospital bills, repatriation costs of the deceased, injuries sustained during drunken brawls (there's another today), suicides, sickness, emergencies ............ the list goes on......

[spidermike007]

It barely matters. Tourism here has been destroyed through recklessness, lack of courage, lack of vision, unwillingness to address any of the problems that existed long before covid came around, and maintaining the draconian restrictions far longer than was wise or prudent. Thailand is the land of the forgotten. It will take many years for the numbers to rise, and they will never return to what they were. 

 

Wow are the Thai people, with this kind of irresponsible and incapable leadership. 

[Xonax]

Tourism tax and othe price increases is a proven way to decrease the number of tourists.  Is that really what Thailand wants at the moment??

Furthermore tourist and expats are already being overcharged at Thailands hospitals. Wouldn't that cover the few tourists, who select to be self-insured, but cannot afford to pay the bills?

[crazykopite]

If they implement this tax then peak season can be kicked into the long grass 

[hotchilli]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Cabinet is set to rule on whether Thailand will start charging international tourists a fee to enter the country.

Maybe a small amount, yet still a step in the wrong direction.

Thailand should be openly inviting tourists not trying to squeeze every last baht out of them.

[sandyf]

3 hours ago, edogthong said:

Nobody knows but it's definitely a strange move for a country that claims to want to increase tourism.

Not strange at all.

Heathrow has both PSC and APD amounting to about 4500 baht for economy passengers.

Did little to reduce tourist numbers.

[shackleton]

I don't think paying a extra 300 baht will put tourists off coming to Thailand 

The price of  airfares might plus their own home currency 

Like the sterling pound not far off 1 to 1 with the American dollar ????

So 300 baht won't deter people who want to come to the land of

smiles ????

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, scorecard said:

There was a report a few months back saying the purpose of the 300Baht fee was to develop tourism.

And insurance cover...but they neglected to say how much cover

always a grey area.

[Rimmer]

Some inflammatory posts have been removed

[Bangkocker]

15 hours ago, DezLez said:

"Between 2017-2019, the Thai government spent more than 700 million baht compensating the Public Health Ministry after uninsured foreign tourists had received medical treatment in Thailand but had left the country without paying their bills."

 

Have they published what is the projected loss of overall revenue if fewer visitors arrive due to the fee?

Well B300 won't break the bank, and if we as tourists get some value from a comprehensive travel insurance coverage I'm all for it. BUT if these pr**ks are just charging us to bolster up their coffers they can pi** off.

[Bangkocker]

Fact: Many 'idiots' do travel to SE Asia and elsewhere without any insurance. It would be easy to implement compulsory universal coverage levies on the airline ticket at POS.

[PeVee1st]

I believe the "big" issue is the airlines will not collect the fee unless they are paid.

Other issues are,

1. The insurance only lasts 30 days.

2. How does a tourist obtain medical help at a hospital? I'm sure the private hospitals will allow tourist patients without payment up front.

3. It keeps mentioning tourists and 30 days. What about the new 45 day VOA? What about expats?

What about tourists with medical insurance?

4. Do the numbers quoted of patients doing a runner include migrant workers? A lot of them do runners.

 

For me I think it would be easier for everyone to have hotels collect 10thb per day as a "room tax" which would be added to the tourists bill. Thai nationals would be exempt.

 

I can just see the fiasco at Immigration, trying to collect 300thb per passenger. For those without Thai bait, a long line at ATM'S, maybe???

[steven100]

1 minute ago, PeVee1st said:

I'm sure the private hospitals will allow tourist patients without payment up front.

I seriously doubt that ......   maybe they will want cc imprint or something to show you will pay,  otherwise no treatment. 

[Rig Pig]

Small minds, small ideas......

[sambum]

16 hours ago, DezLez said:

"Between 2017-2019, the Thai government spent more than 700 million baht compensating the Public Health Ministry after uninsured foreign tourists had received medical treatment in Thailand but had left the country without paying their bills."

 

Have they published what is the projected loss of overall revenue if fewer visitors arrive due to the fee?

I don't think that prospective visitors are going to be all that concerned about 300 baht - I think they'll be more bothered about the rapidly escalating cost of flights, and the increased cost of living in many parts of the (Western) World, making holidays a lot less affordable. 

[bamnutsak]

I think we can all agree that 300 baht is not the REAL issue, or that it presents a financial burden for tourists, save the zero dollar tours where it will eat into their margin.

 

This isn't really about 300 baht. Or is it about unpaid medical bills. Or is it about maintaining and improving tourist attractions. It's about a 5.4 BILLION Baht (annually, based on 18 m tourists) slush fund for the MoT&T's minister and PERMANENT Secretary, where there will be zero accountability.

 

There's a reason Phipat is pushing this, and pushing it now. An interim government, and a new one longer term will mean his cash grab will be halted. I imagine he needs to share this fund with other sto insure passage.

 

If this goes forward you can bet other ministries will jump on the bandwagon. MoE will charge a "Traveler Fuel Surcharge". MoPH will charge a "Traveler Health Fee".

 

Note that they are NOT increasing the PSC from 700 baht to 1,000 baht. Rather they (with Krung Sri Bank) will use an app to insure payment is made prior to boarding. Extortion, Thai style, stealing in plain sight, but with a smile.