SURVEY: Do you agree with the adding of 360 baht 'Maintenance Fee' on tourists?

[djlest]

Tourism is down for quality tourists... and the TAT is getting greedier...

[MockingJay]

What about the billions of THB collected at all of Thailand's national parks? Whose pockets did they trickle in? Who gave nothing back to nature in return? Where is the evidence that the national parks have improved after the national park fees were implemented long time ago?

Is anyone truly ignorant and naive enough to believe that the extra cash will end up where it officially is promised to go? Keep on dreaming!!!!

Look, nobody - at least the tourists - wouldn't really mind to pay those 360 Baht extra if there wouldn't have been thousands of corruption cases in Thailand in the past, with the most disgusting ones being some official swine putting a few million Baht dedicated to Tsunami victims in his own pocket (believe it happened in Phuket).

If people could have trust in the Thai system and if they would see positive results, all would be fine.

But since Thailand is known for being great in collecting fees, fines, surcharges, but horribly slow in implementing improvements, especially in regards to pollution, trashing, overfishing, fishermen poaching in marine national parks, etc... what do they expect? Tourists who just paid 6.000 THB for a dive trip to look at an empty reef and dead coral to shout "Hooooray!!! Here you get my 360 Baht maintenance fee!" ??? Maintenance for what? The Mia Noi's SLK? The weekend villa in Hua Hin?? The private casino in the basement???

Edited January 25, 2016 by MockingJay

[MockingJay]

great idea. Why not make it 36,000 baht per tourist. I mean that's got to be better than just 360 baht. And how about finding other ways to monetize tourists. Taxing the air they breathe is useful because we all now how clean air is in short supply in Asia, and those tourists stealing all the clean air from thais.....maybe a "culture tax" to add on as well, whenever there's a need for protecting the thai culture from foreign influence. There's probably also merit for a "congestion tax" when the tourists come and take spaces in streets and restuarants which makes thais have to wait. tax them on that too. Tax tax tax tax

You forgot to tax them on their feces as well! For starters I'd suggest a special weighing station at each hotel lobby to check the weight of any tourist's daily "relief average" (they will be required to collect it in dedicated poo bags, supplied by the hotel - extra charges apply - under supervision to avoid foul play), and charge - let's say - 50 Baht per Kilo?

Edited January 25, 2016 by MockingJay

[fred Kubasa]

It would be a super benefit to us ex pats ! More tax, less tourists,

more sales and promotions for us - Hurray !

[Peterphuket]

It's a good idee to do but sure, much less tourist will come, and of-course its not the fault of the government.

It will be quiet in Thailand.

Mind you.

[HOAX]

You guys want safety in Thailand? Then you pay for it....

For Thai people it doesn't matter if it's unsafe or messy/dirty. They don't know it any different.

And you guys also better learn Thai language or you'll have many problems.

1) Tourism makes up for a good percentage of Thailand's income. Either you think tourists are worth the investments and pay for the security yourself, or make holiday makers look to other countries. You don't have to be very intelligent to understand low/middle class foreigners will get less joy for their money when they have less money to spend.

2) The new generation of Thais will be very aware of the unsafe life they live, and it's already more complaints and focus on safety in Thailand. Yes, it's far from foreign standards, but it sure is an uprise in awareness among Thais.

3) I would say it is recommended to learn Thai if you're going to live in Thailand, but it's far from necessary. A smartphone, internet and a Thai girl and you will be perfectly fine. I've never had any problems shopping, getting help or getting friends because I don't speak Thai well, even in Udon. But like I said, it's recommended to learn Thai. It will save you lots of time when trying to explain something, make everyday talks much easier and more fun, reading Thai, and you will learn to understand Thais much more.

----

I feel your reply was made with anger and arrogance towards farangs, something that is quite common among Thais. Your racism and unappreciation towards farangs will get you nowhere, and will eventually hit back. The day the next tsunami come, any other disaster or poverty strikes Thailand, you think all these 75 million farangs over the last 50 years want to donate their hard working money to some ungrateful, selfish people? No. They would rather help other people first. Sorry, but your attitude is very offensive and disrespectful.

Edited January 25, 2016 by HOAX

[mrrizzla]

If it was added on to the price of the ticket I wouldn't be vehemently opposed. You just KNOW that the money won't be spent on tourist infrastructure. Rather it will go into some officials pocket.

[mrrizzla]

If it was added on to the price of the ticket I wouldn't be vehemently opposed. You just KNOW that the money won't be spent on tourist infrastructure. Rather it will go into some officials pocket.

[Jonmarleesco]

Given the Thais' lackadaisical approach to maintenance of any sort, the obvious question is: just what would the 'maintenance' fee do for tourists, or, for that matter, for residents in general?

[Jonmarleesco]

who cares?

I don't know anybody who would stay home or change destination because of 10 USD. The question is ridiculous.

You've asked, have you? Because you are wide of the whole point by several miles.

[sawadee1947]

who cares?

I don't know anybody who would stay home or change destination because of 10 USD. The question is ridiculous.

You've asked, have you? Because you are wide of the whole point by several miles.

yes, the question is: do I agree. And I said YES. There are a lot of projects for Thai govt. to fulfill. And 10 USD really will not hurt any visitor. If you would have to pay 10 USD more for you air fare.....who cares. I think you are miles away from reality. Maybe a nit picker only.

[sawadee1947]

You guys want safety in Thailand? Then you pay for it....

For Thai people it doesn't matter if it's unsafe or messy/dirty. They don't know it any different.

And you guys also better learn Thai language or you'll have many problems.

Mhm, doesn't sound nice how you think about your people. I can't agree with you. As I could see many Thais are concerned about dirt and safety. Just the opposite you described.

Also I can't see to have any many problems if my Thai language is not good or not existing. It's same with your PM. No English. And he manages to communicate though with other PMs. Also your PM demands Thai to speak English. Comparing to other ASEAN countries you got the red lantern, means your ability is the worst. But there is always improvement possible. Even for you to understand and to think global. Even the Chinese are learning English. But I agree with you it is a requirement for people living in a foreign country to learn their language, culture and customs. So far I learned Thais are polite and respect others. You might be an exeption.

[bruceamstutz]

It's just another way to milk money from the tourist. Do you really think the money will go back to help tourism or go back into the general fund or should I say General pockets.

I agree 100% with what you say........

[SOTIRIOS]

...'you guys'....who are you...our boss....???

...who let him in.....

[spidermike007]

Show us where this money will go. Demonstrate transparency. As of now, there is no trust and faith in either this government, or any of its ministries. None. Demonstrate for once, that there is a noble intent behind this. Can you clowns do that? Bet not.

[Daniel Boon]

You guys want safety in Thailand? Then you pay for it....

For Thai people it doesn't matter if it's unsafe or messy/dirty. They don't know it any different.

And you guys also better learn Thai language or you'll have many problems.

'safety'? it's allegedly for the tourism department

[Ghostnigel]

Better that they fleece the tourists rather than expats

[Fairynuff]

As they are proposing to to tax every tourist entry at all points of entry it could end up being like Bali (and the rest of Indonesia?) where you have to pay $25USD in USD to the immigration officer to get your passport stamped. If they go that way good luck with getting the money from the Immigration Department TAT.[/quote

TAT...... "Hello, is that immigration?"

IMMI...... "Yes"

TAT......I'm calling from TAT. I'm a little bit worried as we've only had 122 tourists visit this year instead of 25 million, so we haven't had much maintenance fee"

IMMI......"Sorry, mai roo" "goodbye"

[Fairynuff]

Better that they fleece the tourists rather than expats

There are no expats, only tourists. You pay too

[Sutty]

Yes good move

[khundon]

If I was sure that this fee would go to the causes it is meant to go to, then I would be all for it, but I don't, so I won't.

I expect that the Merc and BMW dealerships, are going to get very busy soon.

[duckmandon]

A lot of countries have a departure tax which is added on to your plane fare. So I don't think tourists will even notice the extra bit.

[Ghostnigel]

Better that they fleece the tourists rather than expats

There are no expats, only tourists. You pay too

How do you work that out?

If expats stay in Thailand, they don't pay, do they?

[Maestro]

By definition, tourists are travellers who enter Thailand

• with a tourist visa, or
• visa-exempt, or
• with a visa on arrival

[Asheron]

By definition, tourists are travellers who enter Thailand

• with a tourist visa, or
• visa-exempt, or
• with a visa on arrival

Really? Who decided on that definition?

[SOTIRIOS]

....'Do you agree'....and the choices provided do not correspond......

...my answer would be 'I do not agree with the adding of 360-baht....'

[englishoak]

Exception is taken simply because it wont go to improve a thing... it will go right into the pockets of corrupt officials... end of story...so no im not up for parting with a little more tea money you thieving scam artists..

that clear enough ?

[Ianatlarge]

Great idea. Paying 2 as much for everything, plus an additional fee. A winner. Makes me feel welcome.

[captspectre]

If done it will most likely be added to the price of the air ticket. No one will notice.

yes! make them pay for the priviege of getting robbed, beaten, constantly taken advantage of, maybe, just maybe they will stop coming over and give us expats some peace!

[gandalf12]

As they are proposing to to tax every tourist entry at all points of entry it could end up being like Bali (and the rest of Indonesia?) where you have to pay $25USD in USD to the immigration officer to get your passport stamped. If they go that way good luck with getting the money from the Immigration Department TAT.

Indonesia: The USD$ 25 is a visa fee for certain nationalities. It is not for any "stamp" in the passport. Its visa on arrival.

You pay a departure tax in Bali Rp 150,000 I seem to remember, about US$10