The collection of a 300-baht travel tax is set to begin with air passengers in the initial phase, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry. The system will require at least six months of preparation before implementation.
Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong stated that the ministry is currently revising the program’s details and plans to submit it for cabinet approval in January. Although the previous government, led by Prayut Chan-o-cha, approved this initiative in February 2023, it now needs consensus from the new cabinet following the recent general election.
Minister Sorawong indicated that the tax collection will likely start with air travelers, but the scheme necessitates a six-month setup period once the cabinet approves it. After that, the second phase will address overland travel.
The ministry noted that air travelers make up 70% of foreign arrivals in Thailand. The transaction system is being developed in collaboration with Krungthai Bank, allowing tourists to pay through a website or an app in the future.
The payment process is expected to resemble South Korea’s K-ETA registration system, requiring foreign visitors to register and pay online prior to their arrival.
Following governmental approval of the project, the ministry will initiate a procurement process to find software developers and insurance companies to provide policies for international tourists. The maximum insurance premium for travelers is set at 60 baht per person, included in the overall 300-baht fee.
The insurance will offer protection for 30 days, as 87% of tourists typically stay for less than a month. In the event of an accidental death, the compensation will remain at 1 million baht, while 500,000 baht will be allotted for injuries.
Minister Sorawong mentioned the possibility of adjusting the fee collection to a uniform 300 baht at all entry points to avoid accusations of discrimination, contrasting with the previous rate of 150 baht for land and sea arrivals. The ministry’s assessment showed that frequent border-crossers for trade will not be impacted, as they can use a border pass to be exempt from this fee.
Photo by Alexi Van Damme CEO and Founder of AX Media Thailand
