14 hours ago, impulse said:

 

In fairness, it's 20K baht or the equivalent in a foreign currency.

Yes I know. But in a convertible CASH! Roubles, Pesos etc will not do.

I think IOs will only use that as an excuse if there is no other way to prevent someone entering the country.

3 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Yes I know. But in a convertible CASH! Roubles, Pesos etc will not do.

I think IOs will only use that as an excuse if there is no other way to prevent someone entering the country.

 

I suspect you're right.  The only times I remember reading about IOs denying entry, it's always been for something else.  I even recall a couple of guys claiming they had baht, but the IO didn't look at it.  Whether that was honest or not, I don't claim to know.

 

Are some of you people this emotionally fragile and given to hysteria and panic over inconsequential events?

It is 300 baht. A nothing charge. I looked at my upcoming ticket to Frankfurt and I am paying 11 Euro Frankfurt Security fee and 26 Euro International Passenger Germany service tax for a total of 37 Euro or 1400 baht. My airfare to Thailand next month has a 700 baht charge for security and tourism fees.  If the new Thai tax is added, it will be 1000 in total. It is nothing. The cost of breakfast at the Bangkok airport Hyatt is 1000 baht. Big whoop. If you cannot afford this,  then don't fly to Thailand. Most every country has these taxes. 

On 10/3/2025 at 10:36 PM, Zaphod Priest said:

I wish they'd stop  calling it a tourist tax.  It's a tax on all non-Thai people entering the country, and that includes those who work or are retired here.

 

It is a tax applicable to non resident short term visitors, i.e tourists. The government has already stated that the tax will not apply to people with long term visas. it will apply to those who enter on the tourism class visas.

 

On 10/3/2025 at 11:29 PM, ChipButty said:

Im sure it will drive many people away or not return, I do know someone right now she has just gone back to BKK she has 2 weeks left on her ticket, and she's never coming back to Thailand, 

 

Get a grip. If someone wants to visit Thailand, a 300 baht tax will not deter them. It is an insignificant charge.

 

20 hours ago, Olsworth said:

We would have to travel through Thailand to Laos then return to get our flight home from BKK, I would obv now consider China or Vietnam to fly through. We dip across the borders quite a lot visiting markets for the day. It’s a much greater impact for tourists 

 

Relax. the government has said that it will apply for multi transits. If you qualify for the 60 day visa waiver, then it will only apply for your travel  during that period.

Surely if they wish to do it , do it on EXIT like the old days.

 

This solves many issues

 

1 Thais need not pay just show ID at the control point.

2 No need to liase with dozens of  airlines and bookers.No queues of folks who speaak neithe rThai or English at arrival chaos at Swampy.

3 Remove an unwelcome charge , inconvenience when jetlagged

4 On exit folks have lots of time at check in 

5 I recall there was a place at Don Muang years ago , show boarding pass pay 500 solved.

6 As for insurance $10/300 baht won't cover repatriation or the many serious often drunk drive fall of a motorbik events.

7 If this is done at land borders it may deter day trippers who spend at Thai borders like Mae Sai Mae Sod etc or wickdippers at Hat Yai?

1 minute ago, RubbaJohnny said:

Surely if they wish to do it , do it on EXIT like th eold days.

 

This solves many issues

 

1 Thais not  need not pay just show at the control point.

2 No need to liase with dozens of  airlines and bookers.

3 Remove an unwelcome charge , inconvenience when jetlagged

4 On exit folks have lots of time at check in 

5 I recall there was a place at Don Muang years ago , show boarding pass pay 500 solved.

6 As for insurance $10/300 baht won't cover repatriation or the many serious often drunk drive fall of a motorbik events.

7 If this is done at land borders it may deter day trippers who spend at Thai borders like Mae Sod or wickdippers at Hat Yai?

 

Good ideas....it made me think.....why not charge for the TM6 and just pay online?

9 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

Good ideas....it made me think.....why not charge for the TM6 and just pay online?

Seems logical but I feel cash offers more ops than having to pay visa/mastercard/unionpay a handling fee that is traceable.

 

I may be entirely wrong but there may just be one two enterprising players slavering at the potential cashflow, Its a million big ones a day jackpot a bonanza double bubble from the toursit tonmbola the 'foreigner barffine'

 

32.4 million visitors last year at 300 a pop is a cool $300 million  enough to fill the sink holes or a some nice "watchmen"

 

On 10/4/2025 at 4:12 AM, Georgealbert said:

and support tourism infrastructure development.

 

 

Like building walls along the Cambodian border?

2 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

It is a tax applicable to non resident short term visitors, i.e tourists. The government has already stated that the tax will not apply to people with long term visas. it will apply to those who enter on the tourism class visas.

 

Since that was suggested, there has been a change of government.  Plus, the head of the new government is profoundly xenophobic.  Also, it would be complex, to put it mildly, to implement.  You may be right, but I very much doubt it.

2 hours ago, RubbaJohnny said:

Seems logical but I feel cash offers more ops than having to pay visa/mastercard/unionpay a handling fee that is traceable.

 

I may be entirely wrong but there may just be one two enterprising players slavering at the potential cashflow, Its a million big ones a day jackpot a bonanza double bubble from the toursit tonmbola the 'foreigner barffine'

 

32.4 million visitors last year at 300 a pop is a cool $300 million  enough to fill the sink holes or a some nice "watchmen"

 

 

 

Fee structure:

  ⁠◦  300 baht per entry for all foreign arrivals—by air, land, or sea.

  ⁠◦  The fee may be integrated with the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system D..........😮

•  Purpose: Funds will support:

  ⁠◦  Emergency insurance for tourists

  ⁠◦  Infrastructure upgrades

  ⁠◦  Safety improvements

3 hours ago, RubbaJohnny said:

Seems logical but I feel cash offers more ops than having to pay visa/mastercard/unionpay a handling fee that is traceable.

 

I may be entirely wrong but there may just be one two enterprising players slavering at the potential cashflow, Its a million big ones a day jackpot a bonanza double bubble from the toursit tonmbola the 'foreigner barffine'

 

32.4 million visitors last year at 300 a pop is a cool $300 million  enough to fill the sink holes or a some nice "watchmen"

 

It's almost 10 billion Baht: 9.720.000.000 Baht (9720 million Baht)

On 10/3/2025 at 6:57 PM, ikke1959 said:

SAnd wondering why tourists don't come in anymore.. It is not the 300 THB entrance fee but everything... no vaping allowed, limited alcohol buy/sales hours, double standards, scamming, double pricing, grumpy immigration, always negative news of foreigners, just because a few don't behave while hunderdthousands behave normal, and the list can go on...Thailand does not understand how to handle tourism and has no clue how to solve the declining visitors.. 

I've been hearing this for decades and Thailand keeps chugging along... Thailand with all its problems for some reason the people still come.

The TAT CAT etc they have no clue with one week we have no tourists a few weeks later we hit record numbers. 

 

You would think with all the stupid things the Thai government does people would stop coming but it doesn't happen. 

Maybe one of these days people will stop coming but I dont see that happening anytime soon. 

 

It would be nice to go back to early or mid 2000 tourist levels when you only had roughly 10-12 million visitors a year.

Much more manageable, now I think it's too much and over whelming.

 

 

On 10/4/2025 at 11:01 AM, ravip said:

Definitely NOT the place for you. Good luck and bon voyage!

 

You will have upset the anti Thailand cabal with that comment, you have said something which does not align with the moaning Thai bashing club. 

 

Imagine tourists who have spend thousand of pounds on a Thai holiday worrying about the cost of the 300 baht on their costs.

 

It might mean after they have got back home to the UK (or example) and wish to buy a fish and chip supper they will now not be able to afford to include the chips.

 

I my opinion they will not even blink an eye over the paltry sum of money. 

 

I have a two sons visiting Phuket in January next year with their families, I will ask them after they arrive if the 300 baht will put them off coming again, they will probably develop a worried look and ask me if I am OK I bet, they might think it is the onset of Alzheimer's 😄

 

They will have already paid hundreds of pounds per person in departure tax from a UK airport, I think an extra few shillings will not put them off.

On 10/4/2025 at 1:03 AM, ikke1959 said:

I am almost convinced they will collect it by the TDAC card.. Every tourist can fill it in for free now, although there are website who will charge you.. But the easiest way is for Thailand to let them pay for the TDAC 300 THB.. easy money to earn...And Thai people don't need to fill in and so not to pay for it, although several are coming for holiday too.. But the brainwashed idea that foreigners are rich, will all pay

it will be included in the ticket like the other fees you already pay Thailand. Currently you're paying 730 baht

Back in the 90's early 2000's you used to have to pay it at the airport on the way out. Back then I had to always remember to keep enough cash to get out.

I believe it was less than 500 Baht back then I want to say 200 baht, but it's been a long time so not sure!

5 hours ago, Zaphod Priest said:

 

Since that was suggested, there has been a change of government.  Plus, the head of the new government is profoundly xenophobic.  Also, it would be complex, to put it mildly, to implement.  You may be right, but I very much doubt it.

 

Oh no, that means when I get back to Thailand from the a visit to the UK after spending 117,000 baht on a return plane ticket I will be upset about the extra 300 baht tax. 

 

It is three beers in a pub more or less, why do people waste their time moaning about such petty things. 🙄

 

No one cares about 300 baht. 

 

On 10/4/2025 at 5:57 AM, ikke1959 said:

SAnd wondering why tourists don't come in anymore..

They are coming, more than 30 million of them.

On 10/4/2025 at 1:44 AM, portisaacozzy said:

0nly let in the new generation of ' back packers ' free, they always had money in there back pocket, they ran out of money it was easy to get work,just like,france,germany,spain etc. alote came back later in life with there familys with money to spare but more importanly with great storys about friendly people, cheap food,cheap accomodation and a knowladge of paradise 

yes thats what Thailand needs more back packers that have no money and no teaching degree to teach English to the kids.  You know back packers from Germany and France etc they run out of money then try sell stuff on the street or start illegally teaching English to kids. I guess that's why Thai kids are soo good at English. 

43 minutes ago, ericthai said:

yes thats what Thailand needs more back packers that have no money and no teaching degree to teach English to the kids.  You know back packers from Germany and France etc they run out of money then try sell stuff on the street or start illegally teaching English to kids. I guess that's why Thai kids are soo good at English. 

Thai kids can learn English , but they don't do it... The law that they always pass and can't fail prevent that they even study...I was a teacher for 20 years and I still don't  understand that after 6 years English many kids can't even answer what is your name or count to 20.... and that after more than180 hours English...And it was not my teaching, as the Thai English teachers face the same problem.. And my experience with backpacker is that many were very good to teach and they spend their money in Thailand which stimulated the economy...but the government is not happy and made impossible rules and low payment to discourage them to come, as they are afraid that the kids will start thinking and so they will lose their grip on the Thai people

9 hours ago, Zaphod Priest said:

 

Since that was suggested, there has been a change of government.  Plus, the head of the new government is profoundly xenophobic.  Also, it would be complex, to put it mildly, to implement.  You may be right, but I very much doubt it.

Please panic when the  changes you imagine will occur, do occur. In the  meantime, I will not lose sleep over the potential 300 baht  fee. 

What do I keep saying people?

 

All garbage for your brain, keep you scrambling like a cockroach, never knowing the supposed rules in Thailand.

 

You can't know them 'cause they keep shifting the goalposts.

 

This 'tax' is just one of hundreds of division schemes, along with the fake airplane crashes and wars, to nail your toes to the floor.

 

Vacation cancelled!

 

#StayHomeStaySafe   #StaycationsRock!

On 10/4/2025 at 4:12 AM, Georgealbert said:

If we impose this tax, we must communicate how much tourists could benefit from it.

 

At least he's got a sense of humor. 

On 10/5/2025 at 7:49 AM, KannikaP said:

Yes I know. But in a convertible CASH! Roubles, Pesos etc will not do.

I think IOs will only use that as an excuse if there is no other way to prevent someone entering the country.

 

I'm sure, the IOs are all financial experts and know the most common currency exchange rates by heart... 😆 

On 10/4/2025 at 11:49 AM, ravip said:

Its strange why millions are still coming, don't you think? Honestly?

 

How about the recent US visa fee increase, comparatively?

 

I did not say it would stop millions from coming,, i did not say , the US visa increase is good or bad,, i said nothing at all apart from,, the farang prices is not enough. so you make up a smart arse comment, for just the sake of looking a smart arse,,, well done,, you are a smart arse . or do you not like people commenting, unless its something you like, and then want to look a smart arse if you do not agree with what others think

18 minutes ago, Funkymover said:

I did not say it would stop millions from coming,, i did not say , the US visa increase is good or bad,, i said nothing at all apart from,, the farang prices is not enough. so you make up a smart arse comment, for just the sake of looking a smart arse,,, well done,, you are a smart arse . or do you not like people commenting, unless its something you like, and then want to look a smart arse if you do not agree with what others think

Touche... cool down. Described yourself in beautiful and colourful language. 

1 minute ago, ravip said:

Touche... cool down. Described yourself in beautiful and colourful language. 

 

 

Reading between the lines....but I have a sense he thinks you're a smart ar*e

1 minute ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

Reading between the lines....but I have a sense he thinks you're a smart ar*e

We all have the liberty think... so be it! I am absolutely sure you yourself knows it undoubtedly. 

1 hour ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

I'm sure, the IOs are all financial experts and know the most common currency exchange rates by heart... 😆 

They all have phones on which to look up the rates.

Should tourism numbers decline for whatever reason following the tax, will Artthakorn resign? 

 

Thought not.

16 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

You will have upset the anti Thailand cabal with that comment, you have said something which does not align with the moaning Thai bashing club. 

 

Imagine tourists who have spend thousand of pounds on a Thai holiday worrying about the cost of the 300 baht on their costs.

 

It might mean after they have got back home to the UK (or example) and wish to buy a fish and chip supper they will now not be able to afford to include the chips.

 

I my opinion they will not even blink an eye over the paltry sum of money. 

 

I have a two sons visiting Phuket in January next year with their families, I will ask them after they arrive if the 300 baht will put them off coming again, they will probably develop a worried look and ask me if I am OK I bet, they might think it is the onset of Alzheimer's 😄

 

They will have already paid hundreds of pounds per person in departure tax from a UK airport, I think an extra few shillings will not put them off.

You are correct! I've attracted 9 thumbs downs on that!

This spiteful anti-Thailand cabal arrogantly believes it's part of an elite, entitled class.

That's the thing with Thailand, when business is bad, they put prices up