Thailand to Implement 300-Baht Tourism Tax Starting with Air Travel

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

possibly starting within the next six months.

Let me know when it begins.

[black tabby12345]

21 minutes ago, Brigante7 said:

Straight into the pockets of corrupt officials?

 

 

 

Brigante7.

 

For sure...

[Zack61]

I guess this is the end of zero baht tourism. 

[MarleyMarl]

Let guess, if you live here, pay taxes, you still get hit with this...

[smew]

IMO: should be added onto a ticket price and then the airlines transfer the amount 

[madmitch]

So many comments that make it obvious the posters have either not read or understood the original article.

 

Collection via the ETA system will negate the need for a booth at the airport. Many countri scalread have such systems and it has not affected tourism. Many more countries, including the Schengen area and the UK will be introducing such systems soon.

 

My concern is that by offering this "insurance", some tourists may not purchase travel insurance. This is not a replacement, it is basic personal accident cover and unnecessary in my opinion.

 

 

 

 

[AndreasHG]

If it works as intended, it's a great initiative!

Pity not to have access to this insurance while being on a retirement VISA, especially for injuries due to accidents caused by uninsured third parties.

 

[Caldera]

Here we go again...

[HK MacPhooey]

6 hours ago, Denim said:

Years ago there was a 500 baht departure tax so nothing really new. I can't  imagine it will make a shade of difference to anybodies travel plans since 300 baht is hardly a make or break amount.

Now included in ticket price as with most other airports around the world - that is primarily for use of the airport infrastructure 

[toho]

Life is not getting easier here.

I have a retirement visa, to be extended every year, pay fee for extension and pay fee for multiple re-entry permit.

Then we have the papers: 90 days report, TM30 in and out report, sometimes having to show up at Immigration in person. Nong Khai Immigration where partner has to pay 200 THB without reason and without bill (you also think what I am thinking?).

I have full European health and travel insurance, for which I already pay lots of money.

Why should I pay extra for some idiots who "forget" to go abroad without some proper insurance?

We travel to family in Laos regularly. So having to pay every time we come back to Thailand?

Having to use some website or app to pay the 300 THB.

I already use an Excel sheet to check how many days I stay in my European home country, in Thailand and Laos. Because I dont like to stay in Thailand more than 179 days, otherwise I automatically become a Thai tax resident.

It is all becoming a bit too much for me. It is not funny  any more. It all adds up. Little by little.

I feel like a criminal, that is followed constantly. And every step takes time and money,

Therefor, after 18 years of spending money in Thailand and owning my condominium here, finally reconsidering my position here in Thailand.

Possibly going back to, or moving to, a country, that has a lot less time consuming bureaucracy.

Edited October 24 by toho

[Ctkong]

A simple procedure to collect the tb300 is to just install a large collection box at the end of the queue that every visitors need to pass thru .they already had those personnel assistance standing to guide the queue so just an additional step for them. US$10 or tb300. 

[Ctkong]

Get a couple of bank staff to oversee the payment . I believe no bank is unwilling to putout for such a huge customer .

[black tabby12345]

4 hours ago, Captain Monday said:

Next year when you find evidence of this corruption please post a link

Amazing people choose to live somewhere they despise and distrust the local Government

I could stay in my country and do that

 

A lot of expats like Thailand itself.

But often hate the rotten High Ranking Bureaucrats/Politicians.

No contradiction about it.

Country is one thing. 

The credibility of the ruler is another.

[Ctkong]

49 minutes ago, Sydebolle said:

Departure tax was and still is an airport tax, applicable to every traveller and meanwhile collected through air ticket sales directly from the airline. 

The arrival tax; let's see. Thais with dual nationality, foreign residents with work permits or one-year visas, PR holders? Asking as this tax cannot be collected via air ticket sales from the airline as not every person is a tourist. 

Where to collect and how; can you imagine the total clogging of the arrival area when Kumar from India with hardly recognizable rupees, Kim Lee Wee from Seoul with Won and the rest showing up with cruzeiros, a selection of different dollars or Bhutanese Ngultrum? 

Happy days ahead, publish the day of introduction and avoid flying into the land for at least two weeks afterwards 😉

Laos immigration accept kips or US$ . Can’t see why Thailand cannot accept thai baht and US$.

[shackleton]

They have been discussing this tax for years 

If its going to cover tourist s medical bills ect  coming to Thailand 300  baht seems a good deal 

[mancub]

1 hour ago, worrab said:

So what about non tourists? In other words, expats like my self who live here but go abroad to visit family, friends etc. Are we excluded from this fiasco?

Of course not,...and don't forget to purchase your re-entry permit either !😁

[FRM-BKK]

1 hour ago, smew said:

IMO: should be added onto a ticket price and then the airlines transfer the amount 

Impossible !!
Read a post earlier in this trail … airlines cannot know whether passengers are holders of dual passports, long term visas, permanent residency etc.  …… the Prayut government already tried that but the airlines objected for those very reasons … 

 

So the best way is to get it is by adding the fee to the ETA system … in return visitors will receive a QR code, expediting (hopefully) immigration 🛂 on arrival at Thai airports. 

[mikeymike100]

4 hours ago, Captain Monday said:

Anyone deterred by a paltry 300 baht? 

Does Thailand still want tight-fisted travellers ?

Maybe you are missing the point!

[crazykopite]

Tourists will go elsewhere ! Thailand is no longer a welcoming country after 19 years living here I’m now looking to move to another Asian country 

[crazykopite]

7 hours ago, Celsius said:

Finally all tourists will be insured.

Only if its an accident !

[PETERTHEEATER]

Next week, Chiengmai announces the introduction of a ULEZ scheme.

[UTH001]

7 hours ago, Captain Monday said:

How is that? 

 

My guess when this is finally rolled out everyone who is not Thai will be required to get an ETA

and Pay the 300 baht.

Thais will NEVER be forced to pay!

[Homburg]

Just another arrival tax, it's not the same as an ETA which typically lasts for a number of years. If you arrive 6 times a year then you'll pay 6 charges. B300 this week. How much next week? The B60 insurance looks like something positive, but no doubt Bumrungrad and the like will be rubbing their hands with glee, B500,000 will cover their charges for the first 15 minutes or so in the emergency room!

[sandyf]

7 hours ago, redwood1 said:

So this is the 3rd 4th 5th? Time they have talked about creating this tax in the last 5 years or so?

 

Its a go.....Nope its canceled....Its a go....Nope its canceled....etc....

It has never been cancelled, just delayed.

The implemention of the proposals suggested are very problematic and when problems arise it has been a case of back to the drawing board.

I expect that some time after a few more glitches they will fall back on the approach taken by many other countries and add it to accommodation bills for foreign passports.

[NoDisplayName]

7 hours ago, Isaan sailor said:

I would much prefer they tax tourists (and returning expats) a little, than the expats income.

 

Why not declare all tourists tax residents for the duration of stay?

 

Require arriving tourists to submit a copy of their latest home country tax return on entry, and to pay income tax at the nearest TRD office, obtaining a tax clearance certificate in order to depart.

[sandyf]

1 hour ago, FRM-BKK said:

So the best way is to get it is by adding the fee to the ETA system … in return visitors will receive a QR code, expediting (hopefully) immigration 🛂 on arrival at Thai airports. 

The ETA system only applies to those not arriving on a visa, those on a tourist visa would be exempt.

There is no easy solution based on arrival, why many countries collect the tourist tax through accommodation charges.

[Pdavies99]

8 hours ago, Celsius said:

Finally all tourists will be insured.

Not really, only death or injury.  Heart Attack..No, Stroke..No   Sudden illness ..No etc.

[findlay13]

"This tourism tax is forecast to provide significant revenue while offering tourists a safety net during their stay in Thailand." 

 

What a load of ++++ .Another rip off into some pockets

 

[Umlungu]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

File photo

 

Thailand is gearing up to impose a 300-baht tourism tax, initially targeting air travel, possibly starting within the next six months.

 

The Tourism and Sports Ministry, under Minister Sorawong Thienthong, is refining details before seeking cabinet approval in January. Initially greenlit in February 2023 under the previous administration, the scheme requires newer government consensus post-elections.

 

Air travellers, making up 70% of Thailand's foreign arrivals, are slated to be the first to feel the impact of this tax. Plans involve employing a transaction system developed by Krungthai Bank.

 

Travellers would use a dedicated website or app to process their payments, mirroring South Korea's K-ETA registration system. Essentially, visitors would pre-register and pay online prior to entering Thailand.

 

A key feature of the proposed tax is the inclusion of an insurance premium, capped at 60 baht per person from the collected 300 baht. It offers a 30-day protection, aligning with the average tourist stay duration, covering up to 1 million baht in the case of accidental death, and 500,000 baht for injuries.

 

Phase two aims to expand the tax coverage to overland travellers. Additionally, Mr Thienthong is considering standardising the fee to 300 baht across all arrival modes, addressing concerns of discrimination since previous plans proposed lower charges for entry via land and sea, reported Bangkok Post.

 

It's important to note that frequent border crossers, primarily for trade, could bypass this levy with a border pass. Upon gaining government approval, the ministry will spearhead the recruitment of software developers and insurance firms to support this initiative.

 

This tourism tax is forecast to provide significant revenue while offering tourists a safety net during their stay in Thailand.

 

-- 2024-10-24

 

 

 

They need a tax to 'manage' the tourist stream? Ok, so how will those 300 baht contribute to this 'management'? More immigration counters open at airports? Faster processing at airports in general? Enforcement of public transport regulations, eg buses, taxis, railways and air services? Educating tourism and hospitality staff? In other words: all those issues that were never addressed - ever - , not even post-covid when the tourist numbers were down.

[Sigmund]

Who will pocket all this new money racket against foreigners ? Ok put that tax but in exchange abolish the re-entry permit requirement. Any person with a non o visa, should be free to travel in and out and not have to run around to get a re-entry stamp. No wonder foreigners are not wanting to come to Thailand any more.