Friday, May 26, 2023
Thailand is expected to delay the launching of a 300-baht tourism tax once more in the midst of political
ambiguity and everyday complications.
The idea, deliberated since 2022, has seen postponement from June to September. However, the newest reports specify that the launching might have to pause till 2024. Besides the charge for visitors
coming by air, the plan also comprised 150 baht to be paid by every traveler coming by sea or land.
Nonetheless, the outbound pro-military alliance which anticipated the fees lost the May 24 polls, with an
administration shaped by eight earlier opposition parties not likely to take charge before August. The
new cabinet is predictable to highlight main concerns like improvement of the kingdom, the elimination of military recruitment, and severer marijuana decrees, with the tourism levy lagging behind.
The scheme also confronted real-world glitches, with airlines peevish about being in command of fee
collection. The flights said that inserting the charges in their fare is too complex, since they would have to
distinguish between overseas tourists who need to pay the sum, and Thai residents and overseas people in Thailand who should not.
Fee at automatic stalls at airports is another proposal. However, critics said that with the rebirth of tourism, airports in Thailand are already seeing long queues at immigration and baggage checks.
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