Thailand to introduce compulsory travel insurance/tourist tax

[Big Boy]

Translates as:

Revenue Department
4 travel tax card
leaving the kingdom
Tax amount 1,000 baht
Tax payment date

This card can be used to travel outside Kingdom
within 10 days from the date of tax payment

[Dannie Boy]

That date stamp says 2533 and it’s now 2567 so it’s 34 years ago - no wonder nobody can remember!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Big Boy]

I did - still in shock at having to pay it after donating all of my spare Thai cash to Outlaws

[STEVE G]

^34 years ago explains the 1000bt because I remember always paying 500. I also remember that they finally came up with a vending machine for the ticket not long before they got rid of it altogether!

[HHTel]

From what I remember and read, the 500 baht machines closed down in 2007. The tax was increased to 700 baht and the airlines were made responsible for it's collection and for onward payment to the AoT.

[Dannie Boy]

Not sure if this is the right thread but it’s been announced that the 300 Baht tourist fee has been scrapped.

https://thepattayanews.com/2024/06/10/t ... urism-fee/

[buksida]

Minister aims to levy 300-baht tourism tax
The new tourism minister aims to start collecting the 300-baht tourism tax after it was shelved during the previous administration led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, while pledging to stimulate tourism revenue to reach at least 3 trillion baht this year.

"I believe the collection of the tourism fee benefits the tourism industry since the revenue can be used for the development of infrastructure and attractions, along with ensuring tourist safety," said Tourism Minister Sorawong Thienthong, who took office on Monday.

The tourism fee scheme was approved by the cabinet in 2022, but has not been endorsed via publication in the Royal Gazette since that time.

Foreign arrivals by air must pay 300 baht, while the rate for those arriving by sea and land is 150 baht.

Mr Sorawong said since he still needs more time to study the readiness of the system, the ministry could not decide whether to start collection within the final quarter.

The ministry will look into the details and finalise the collection procedure in a way that does not discourage tourism sentiment.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/ge ... ourism-tax

[kwajdiver]

So, on one hand will they say that expats with retirement/marriage extensions are really tourists and will have to pay this fee every time they enter Thailand...... But, on the other hand say that they are really tax residents and must pay income tax on their worldwide income......

[usual suspect]

PURE FU***NG GREED!! Thankfully for them, most 'tourists' will be unaware of this new tax..This is on top of the usual dual-pricing etc..They cannot stop creaming baht off tourists can they...

[HHTel]

The concept of a tourist tax isn't a new one. City tax has long been the norm for many countries in Europe such as Greece, Spain and Germany .

There are currently around 20 countries that levy a 'tourist tax'. Most are much more expensive than what is proposed in Thailand. However, we have to complain about something so why not this tax.

[joelle]

In France in each campsite or hotel you have to pay a Tourist Tax, and it is not a standard fixed amount, each area or commune has a different rate which can vary from a little less than €1 to even €10 Per Day !!

[buksida]

Tourism tax to start with air travel
Collection of the 300-baht travel tax may start with air passengers in the first phase, with the system needing at least six months before starting, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry.

The ministry is revising details of the programme and will submit it for cabinet approval in January, said Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong.

Even though this project was approved by the previous government led by Prayut Chan-o-cha in February 2023, it now requires a consensus from the new cabinet as the administration has changed since the general election.

Mr Sorawong said it is possible collection will start with air passengers, though the tax scheme will need six months after cabinet approval to prepare the system before getting started.

Once the system settles, the second phase covering overland travel will follow, he said.

According to the ministry, air travellers account for 70% of foreign arrivals to Thailand.

The transaction system has been prepared and is powered by Krungthai Bank.

Tourists can pay via a website or an app that is being developed for the next phase, said Mr Sorawong.

Payment would be similar to South Korea's K-ETA registration system, which requires foreign travellers to register and make an online payment before entering the country.

Once the government approves this project, the ministry will start a procurement process to recruit software developers and insurance companies to offer insurance policies for foreign tourists, he said.

The insurance premium for tourists is capped at no more than 60 baht per person, out of 300 baht collected.

The duration of protection is 30 days, as 87% of tourists have an average length of stay of no more than a month, with compensation remaining the same as previous Thai tourist policies, at 1 million baht in the event of death from an accident, and 500,000 baht in case of injury.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/ge ... air-travel

[buksida]

Thailand’s tourism tax to be introduced during upcoming high season
The tourism tax of 300 baht a person will come into force for foreign tourists by the end of 2025, Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong said on Feb 27.

He expects the tourism tax scheme to come into effect during Thailand’s high season later in the year, provided the scheme is endorsed via publication in the Royal Gazette in March.

Details of the scheme are not clear for now, he said, adding that the ministry is working on linking data to the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) to facilitate tax collection. The TDAC will come into force on May 1.

Mr Sorawong explained that foreign travellers arriving by air will be charged 300 baht per person, per trip. Those who cross into the country either by land and water will also be charged 300 baht, but would be entitled to enter several times within 30 to 60 days, he said.

He said the ministry will summarise this issue at a later date to ensure that all foreigners using a passport to visit Thailand will be able to access life and accident insurance.

Mr Sorawong does not expect the tourism tax scheme will cause a decline in foreign arrivals as the tax is low. Several embassies have confirmed that this scheme is a good plan as it will allow travellers to access insurance, he said.

He emphasised that the tourism tax system will be one-stop service to facilitate travellers.

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-as ... igh-season

[kwajdiver]

Based on other reports about this tax:

One hand says that we are Thai tax residents, so we must pay Thai income tax.
Another hand says that we are really tourists, so we must pay this Thai tourist tax.

Both hands are really just saying that we are thought of as being an ATM……

[Gregjam]

Makes you wonder why any non-Thai who lives in Thailand but works abroad spending less than six months in the country in any year would bother trying to get or maintain/extend a visa and here health insurance. Just waltz in visa free and on the odd occasion they are actually here longer than 90 (or 60 if it changes back to 30+30) days. Paying 300 baht a time to be insured will be a huge saving on most health policies.