Tourists not sure about the new 300-baht tourism fee in Thailand

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

The jury’s out on Thailand’s new 300-baht tourism fee, with foreigners expressing reservations about its introduction. Now it’s mandatory that all foreign arrivals will have to pay 300 baht tax from April 2022, the Thai government has confirmed on the same. While speaking to the Bangkok Post, many foreigners have questioned about the money that they will have to pay as tax.

Previously, government spokesman, Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, had stated that the fee will be used to expand as well as upgrade tourist attractions, creating disabled access and adding facilities such as public toilets. He said that in their airfare the fee would be included while the ones coming by land or sea will have to hand over the dosh at the border. Thanakorn is quite positive about the revenue generated this year, around 800 billion baht from 5 and 15 million foreign visitors. He adds that the fee will also be used to finance insurance for tourists.

They’re not going to have much choice in the matter some foreign tourists are not quite optimistic about the tourism fee. Elza Phulumahuny, a 46-year-old visiting from Indonesia, said that she has doubts about the entire process, questioning how the money will be spent in a way that benefits tourists. Also, she has criticised the fact that everyone, regardless how long their stay, must pay the same amount.

“It is not fair for all tourists to pay the same amount of money. Short-term visitors who stay in Thailand for only 2 to 3 days should not pay that amount.”

S 27-year-old teacher from Bangladesh is quite inquisitive to know more about how exactly this fee will fund insurance for tourists. Disha Chakma is not quite sure about the fund being available in the event of a tourist getting in an accident.

“No one can guarantee that we will not be asked to pay for medical treatment if we are injured in Thailand.”

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