[International] Thailand Plans to Charge Foreign Tourists 450 Baht, Possibly Starting with Air Arrivals in 2027
RtiTalk 小編21d ago
The Thai government is reviving plans to charge foreign tourists 450 baht per person. The revenue is intended to be allocated to a tourism promotion fund for traveler insurance, improvements to attractions and infrastructure, environmental restoration, and local community development, thereby reducing the tourism industry's long-term reliance on the government's annual budget. According to the current draft, air arrivals will be the first to be charged, potentially as early as 2027, while land and sea arrivals will follow later. The policy still requires public hearings and cabinet approval.
Thailand's Minister of Tourism and Sports, Surasak Phancharoenworakul, stated that the government believes Thailand needs to establish a dedicated and long-term source of tourism funding. As the growth in foreign tourist numbers gradually slows, future tourism policies will shift from pursuing sheer volume to focusing on high value and sustainable tourism. In addition to improving infrastructure such as attractions and transportation, the revenue can also be invested in tourism research, talent cultivation, marketing promotion, and supporting local communities.
Another primary purpose of the tourism fee is to provide insurance and medical coverage for foreign tourists during their stay in Thailand, replacing some existing mechanisms where the government assists after accidents occur. Officials point out that the Thai government currently bears an average of 300 to 400 million baht annually in medical expenses for foreigners that are not fully paid. The introduction of traveler insurance is expected to reduce the burden on the public healthcare budget. Currently, over 40 countries worldwide collect similar fees from travelers in various forms.
According to the draft, each foreign tourist will need to pay 450 baht. After a single payment, they can enter and exit Thailand multiple times within 30 days without re-paying, and will continue to be covered by insurance during this period. The first phase will target air arrivals, with implementation expected in 2027. The measure will take effect 180 days after its publication in the Royal Gazette. Land and sea routes will have a preparation period of approximately 360 days to manage border crossing traffic and fee collection operations.
The draft also specifies exemptions, including royal and state guests, holders of diplomatic and official passports, those with work permits, travelers using border passes, transit passengers not changing airlines or flights, flight crew, and children under two years old. Payment methods are planned to be integrated into airfare, official websites, mobile applications, self-service payment kiosks, or other designated channels to minimize the impact on the entry process for foreign tourists.
The Thai Travel Agents Association estimates that the 450 baht tourism fee could generate approximately 10 billion baht in off-budget revenue for the tourism industry annually. The industry generally supports the establishment of a dedicated fund but requires the government to ensure transparency in fund usage and involve tourism operators in decision-making regarding fund allocation. Some suggest that the transparency of fund-related meetings and decision-making processes should be increased to allow stakeholders to observe fund allocation and expenditure.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports conducted public consultations on the draft from August 24 to September 28. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Suphajee Suthumpun, stated that the consultation results will be submitted to the National Tourism Policy Committee for review. After the committee approves the implementation framework, it will be sent to the cabinet for final approval, and the actual implementation time will depend on subsequent regulatory procedures. (Editor: Hsu Chia-yuan)
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=229150
How does this article make you feel?
1 people reacted