Public Health Ministry to ask Thai govt to collect entry fees from foreigners

[webfact]

Public Health Ministry to ask govt to collect entry fees from foreigners
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Public Health Minister Pradit Sintavanarong said Thursday that the government plans to collect entry fees on foreign tourists.

Pradit said he had consulted with other government agencies concerned about the entry fees and a decision would have yet to be made on which agency would be in charge of collecting the fee.

He said foreigners, who stay in the kingdom for more than three days, would be charged Bt500 while those who stay no more than three days would be charged Bt30 a day.

Parts of the fees would be used to compensate medical service costs for foreign tourists, Pradit said.


-- The Nation 2013-10-17

UPDATE:
Extra fees for tourists
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Public Health Minister Pradit Sintavanarong said yesterday that related agencies were discussing the plan to charge tourists a separate fee for entering the country - possibly Bt500 for a three- to 30-day stay and Bt30 for less than three days. He said once a conclusion is drawn, it will be proposed to the Cabinet.

Since Thailand gets up to 23 million visitors a year, the country could earn as much as Bt10 billion from the extra fee, he said. This money could be sent to the Finance Ministry and a specially assigned committee could allocate it to related agencies including the Public Health Ministry, which spends up to Bt300 million for tourists' healthcare per year. He said if his ministry was given this money, it could allocate up to Bt300,000 per head in life-and-death emergency cases as well as buy more medical tools and supplies.


-- The Nation 2013-10-18

[marioc]

"Parts of the fees would be used to compensate medical service costs for foreign tourists, Pradit said."

Bullshit!

[soundman]

Amazing Thailand.

Does the TAT approve, or can they market this?

Don't know the facts but does any other civilised country do this?

And no guesses where the fees would end up.

Most likely financing the shortfall of the rice scam to enrich a dozen or so families who appear to control it.

[Spare]

This is not world first.

Many country have such law.

Some even force you to exchange x dollars per day to their currency.

[barryofthailand]

What a crock of Bull. All the Thai government wants is more money.

[MESmith]

I thought my visa fee was to enter....

[Maria23]

I wonder if they will also charge the foreign residents who are traveling often in and out of Thailand, who has a work permit, pay taxes and have multiple entry visa. No word about this! Perhaps everyone who does not held a Thai passport is considered tourist ...in any case this is really stupid and for sure will affect the tourism industry! What about the tourist who have a medical inssurance ? Will they also have to pay ? No word about this either ...

[chas39]

Would payment mean entitlement to free treatment in Government Hospitals?

[MaxLee]

Say what?????

[Bobobirdiebuddy]

This is not world first.

Many country have such law.

Some even force you to exchange x dollars per day to their currency.

What countries are these "many"? No place I've visited. I'm not doubting you but which countries have such a tourist unfriendly law?

No doubt this is yet another hare brained idea that will die the death it deserves.

Edited October 17, 2013 by Bobobirdiebuddy

[HyperRai]

Somebody have to pay for the rice support and the poor economy in Thailand. So foreigners are the most convenient way to collect money, but to call it a compensation for medical service costs is a not-quite-correct term.

[hkt83100]

Is my calendar wrong? Is this April fool's day?

[lee b]

This is crazy, looks like the travel guide will be coming out

[siampolee]

Another example of a first class scam. Going to really enhance the Thai tourist industry.

Is it a case of the Thai economy not being so well as we are told thus a levy on tourists will help shore up the Thai health system?

I am sure the income from this latest scam would not amount to a piddle in the Atlantic ocean. However one wonders what % goes to the puppet masters acolytes though?

[thaicbr]

Isn't there already an airport fee etc

[Desert Rat]

Just like buying a ticket to the carnival.

[angsta]

So this is on top of the visa fee?

Hmmm what a load of bo((ocks.

[soi41]

Take it easy guys!!

Tomorrow it will be all forgotten, just the stupid idea of the day!!

On the other hand of course we would love to pay an entrance fee to Disneyland, so we can be cheated, doublepriced and scamed in general. NOT

[Crazy chef 1]

whenever you think they cant come up with any more <deleted>- wrong they can....

[MESmith]

How about a 500 baht "exit" fee, to cover admin costs incurred checking whether you have any unpaid hospital bills?

[RubbaJohnny]

Ignoring the morals ,politics te practicalities will be interesting.

I am here long enough to recal distress at Don Muang when 500 Thai baht cash only was the exit tax.

Folks all checkin with $$s etc had to go back and change 500bahts to exit ,this has been added into to tickets at 700 per exit and is itemised on some airlines.Why not make ita grand 1000baht and pass on to MOH

Now the fee is small potatoes if you can afford to fly.

However can you imagine the queues explaining to all ages and language groups the fee.

What if you do not have any baht cash ,ATMs in arrivals ?

Will credit/visa debit cards or $ be acceptable,will receipts be issued

If they wish to do it and who can blame them add it onto the exit tax,

This has the added benefit of those of us already in wont pay and nor anyone one else having the cheek to die before leaving.

Seriously this needs thinking through.

A corollary may be for low budget Asians and backpackers to fail to purchase adequate cover believing LOS will pay for them

Edited October 17, 2013 by RubbaJohnny

[phosphorescent]

Instead of taking 500 baht because of the slim possibility of an accident, they should give each and every tourist 500 baht on entry due to the real possibility of being scammed! Compensation in advance

[brabo2180]

This is just another tourist tax to fill their pockets.

When on holiday in Thailand for less than 90 days, I am covered by:

1) the Belgian sick insurance

2) an international travel insurance from AXA, which is an extension of my car insurance.

I really don't see why I should pay 500 baht for something I don't need.

A few years ago, everybody had to pay 500 baht "airport tax" when leaving Thailand. I believe this tax is now included in the ticket price.

Edited October 17, 2013 by brabo2180

[RubbaJohnny]

They may find more customer satisfaction if ladies are asked to collect the additional entry fees .

[coma]

Let's get the foriegners to bail us out of the shitty economic situation we have created for ourselves. Absoutely disgraceful. Maybe foriegn countries should start charging entry fees for 'Thais only' when they arrive in their country.

[impulse]

By my estimate, that's going to add a little less than 1% to the cost of a RT cheap seat plane ticket.

Yawn.

If you're already wealthy enough to be covered by private insurance and deep pockets, double yawn.

I just hope they're smart enough to add it to the plane ticket so we don't have to wait in one more line behind a bunch of people griping about the high cost of cheap sex.

Edited October 17, 2013 by impulse

[ignis]

Maybe a rather good idea, how long before they see an error ?

Some Countries have very long waiting list, go to Thailand pay 500 baht and have the Operation in the next day or 2..

[Scott]

Some time ago, there was a thread about the cost of treating foreigners, if I recall correctly. Part of the problem is farangs who are staying in Thailand and then become ill and end up in the hospital for expensive medical attention. Many do not have money or insurance.

The other problem is the many road accidents, including buses, vans and motorcycles. I am not sure who picks up the cost for some of these.

[waza]

Tourism is the only Thai industry making money now this adminstration wants to threaten that?

[scotinsiam]

Would payment mean entitlement to free treatment in Government Hospitals?

Hopefully not better going to a good one.