Taxing times: Tourism Minister stands firm with 300 baht tourist tax

[snoop1130]

 

In a recent press conference, Thailand’s new Tourism and Sports Minister, Sermsak Pongpanich, hinted at the impending introduction of a tourist tax, known as the Kha Yeap Pan Din, translating to a landing fee.

 

Although no specific timeline was provided for its implementation, the newly-appointed minister emphasised the unlikelihood of abandoning the proposed tax.

 

Sermsak, formerly the Culture Minister, assumed the Tourism and Sports portfolio during last month’s Cabinet reshuffle.

 

The measure was greenlit by the Cabinet in February last year, proposing a fee of 300 baht (US$8.17) for foreign arrivals by air and 150 baht for those entering by land or sea.

 

Speaking at an event organised by the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) to promote sustainable tourism, Sermsak affirmed the government’s commitment to the tax.

 

“I have received the principle of the measure and [the ministry] is considering the implementation process. We already have people working on it.”

 

The Bangkok-born Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin previously advocated for a delay in fee collection to prevent any interference with the government’s current tourism promotion.

 

When initially proposed in late 2022 by former Tourism Minister Phipat Ratchakitprakarn, the revenue from the tourist tax was earmarked for foreigner insurance and bolstering the tourism development fund, aimed at enhancing accessibility and facilities at tourist sites.

 

Addressing his priorities as the new tourism minister, Sermsak outlined plans to enhance tourism infrastructure and promote lesser-known attractions, including recently unearthed ancient sites and UNESCO World Heritage sites.

 

“The ministry will launch special programs to promote these places to attract foreign visitors.”

 

Citing the deficiency in comprehensive tourism infrastructure as a longstanding impediment to industry growth, Sermsak referenced the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024, which saw Thailand drop six spots to 47th among 119 countries compared to pre-pandemic rankings.

 

With three years remaining in the current government’s term, Sermsak expressed determination to elevate Thailand’s position on the index, aligning with the administration’s objective of positioning the country as a regional hub for aviation and tourism, reported The Nation.

 

By Ryan Turner

Image courtesy of Thai Enquirer / X

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-05-31

 

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[redwood1]

And every baht of this money will go to tourist and expats who have trouble paying their medical bills...

[BangkokReady]

Why not 1000 baht?

[SingAPorn]

1 minute ago, BangkokReady said:

Why not 1000 baht?

because tourist and expat numbers are steadily dropping as foreigners do not want to come to Thailand any more with all the hassles.

[DonniePeverley]

It will just be incorporated into the ticket - well it should be.

 

300 Baht is quite low, considering what they've lost in waving visas for Indians and Chinese. 

[Robert Paulson]

The people who vote are the same people,who get a cut of the money 

[0ffshore360]

So just a jump in the  landing fee ? Or a jump in the departure fee?

No problem. AOT  will be required to implement, MOT  will extract, Minister of Tourism will collect a bonus (and  maybe a Medal? ).

[Tropicalevo]

"We need more tourists!"

So let's make them pay more. 😶‍🌫️

[sometime]

1 hour ago, DonniePeverley said:

It will just be incorporated into the ticket - well it should be.

 

300 Baht is quite low, considering what they've lost in waving visas for Indians and Chinese. 

Just like the last time, can you remember having to pay the departure TAX at the airport ?

[Puccini]

2 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

It will just be incorporated into the ticket - well it should be.

 

300 Baht is quite low, considering what they've lost in waving visas for Indians and Chinese. 

 

It's the principle that matters.

 

"It won't reduuce the number of tourists", a government official was quoted as saying. Let them get away with 300 Baht and before long, it will be increased, then increased again, and again, and again...

[DonniePeverley]

9 minutes ago, Puccini said:

 

It's the principle that matters.

 

"It won't reduuce the number of tourists", a government official was quoted as saying. Let them get away with 300 Baht and before long, it will be increased, then increased again, and again, and again...

 

Yeah so ? If 300 baht turns away a nomad (ie a backpacker with a laptop) then i'm all for it. 

[ikke1959]

They have no clue what they are doing. Yesterday they go for more tourists,today tax them more so another reason for tourists not to come. Maybe start working together instead of all differrent people with stupid ideas.

 

[stoner]

3 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Although no specific timeline was provided for its implementation, the newly-appointed minister emphasised the unlikelihood of abandoning the proposed tax.

 

i don't blame you buddy. you have waited your whole life to be in charge of a trough....your time to pig out. 

[Hummin]

2 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

It will just be incorporated into the ticket - well it should be.

 

300 Baht is quite low, considering what they've lost in waving visas for Indians and Chinese. 

and if you in transfer? How do the flight companies differ from those in transfer and those who actually go through imigration? I might have another flight out of country with another airline!

 

Tourist tax is ok for me, and thats not the reason I will pull the plugg completely. 

Force me to pay tax for my transfer and have nothing in return, will make me pull the plugg for good. 

[proton]

Make up for all that tax they have lost when they reduced it on wine, oh!

[dinsdale]

4 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

“I have received the principle of the measure and [the ministry] is considering the implementation process. We already have people working on it.”

And exactly when did this all start. Before the announcement (last yr. was it?) or after? Still not worked out. Bunch of empty headed amateurs who are very good at politicking and filling their pockets along the way.

[dinsdale]

25 minutes ago, proton said:

Make up for all that tax they have lost when they reduced it on wine, oh!

I wish there was an emoji for indeed. You're comment is indeed worthy of it.

[Jonathan Swift]

11 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

It will just be incorporated into the ticket - well it should be.

 

300 Baht is quite low, considering what they've lost in waving visas for Indians and Chinese. 

About $8.00 US. They're welcome to it, if I had to pay, but I'm a resident not a tourist, retirement visa. 

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

When initially proposed in late 2022 by former Tourism Minister Phipat Ratchakitprakarn, the revenue from the tourist tax was earmarked for foreigner insurance and bolstering the tourism development fund, aimed at enhancing accessibility and facilities at tourist sites.

And if you think that's where the money will go.. think again.

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The measure was greenlit by the Cabinet in February last year, proposing a fee of 300 baht (US$8.17) for foreign arrivals by air and 150 baht for those entering by land or sea.

So the last time i crossed the land border at Aranyahrhathet into Cambodia the MO was to gain your entry visa for 1,000 baht at the office then have 300 baht in your passport which you handed to a Thai officer standing at the border crossing, he checked your entry sticker and took the money,  now they want another 150 baht to come back in?

[IamNoone88]

... and for those of us who are not tourists?

[Deputy7]

Thailand is worth 300 Bhat!

[Xonax]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

proposing a fee of 300 baht (US$8.17) for foreign arrivals by air and 150 baht for those entering by land or sea

Another fine example of Dual Pricing in Thailand. This makes me feel, that they don't really want us here, even though they are heavily dependent on our money.

[AhFarangJa]

11 hours ago, sometime said:

Just like the last time, can you remember having to pay the departure TAX at the airport ?

I remember, then overnight it was incorporated into the ticket price. However, a lot of people did not realise (as it was not really inventoried), that they increased it from 500 to 750 Baht overnight. Any way they can gouge a penny they will.

[TheFishman1]

Total scam for greedy government TIT

[AhFarangJa]

3 minutes ago, Xonax said:

Another fine example of Dual Pricing in Thailand. This makes me feel, that they don't really want us here, even though they are strongly dependent on our money.

Exactly, a turnstile at arrivals, deposit money, then return to the plane. Maybe I am mistaken, but was there not a refusal by the airlines to implement this in the ticket as it was only for Foreign Nationals, and therefore a nightmare to police? Someone please put me right if I am getting it wrong.

[Kiwiken]

All sounds reasonable just add to the overcharging of Tourists to visit places in Thailand and to use Thai entertainment facilities. I am sure it will bolster Thai Tourism through the floor

[Can samui]

They just need to call it what it is, a foreigner tax.

It wont matter if you have a visa or not, any person holding a non Thai passport will be charged.

[Bangkok Barry]

 

Why do I suspect that the Thai economy is in dire straits? Taxing expats pensions, talk of raising VAT, taxing goods coming into the country, bringing in the tourist tax. Signs of panic, methinks.

[Peterphuket]

14 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

Why not 1000 baht?

Now don't shake him up or make him any wiser than he is.