Overview of Thailand’s New Tourist Tax

The Thai authorities have pushed forward plans to implement a new tourist tax for every foreign entry to the country, taking effect within the next six months. This initiative signals a significant shift in how tourism revenue will be managed in the country.

How much is the new tourist tax charging? What impact is it going to have on the tourism experience? This Pacific Prime Thailand article will address these concerns in detail, so expats and travelers are informed about this extra source of expenses and take it into account for trip planning.

About Thailand’s New Tourist Tax

The core objective of the new tourist tax in Thailand is to generate funds that can be utilized for tourist sites along with landmark repairs and upgrades across the country, helping to preserve Thailand’s natural and cultural heritage for future generations of visitors.

A small proportion of the revenue will go to foreign visitor compensation, for those who experienced injuries or fatalities while in Thailand. The details of the compensation scheme are still in development, but it is set to offer some protection for travelers during their stay.

Under the current proposal, travelers will be charged:

• Arrival by air: THB ฿300 (USD $8.80)
• Arrival by land: THB ฿150 (USD $4.40)

These fees will apply to most foreign arrivals such as long-term residents, retirees, and other non-immigrant visa holders. Infants under two, transit passengers, diplomats, and individuals holding authorized Thai work permits (Destination Thailand Visa, Privilege/Elite card) will be exempt from paying the fee.

Whether 10-year Long-Term Residence visa holders (O-X/O-A) and permanent residents need to pay the tax is still under review.

Addressing Public Concerns on Thailand’s New Tourist Tax

Many travelers raised concerns about how the implementation of the tourist tax will affect their travel experience in Thailand. The concerns can be generalized into two types: payment and time.

• Payment Concerns: Past attempts to impose tourist tax presented challenges of card payment failures and disputes over the need for cash payments.
• Time Concerns: Long queues are least wanted especially when going through the customs. Travelers are worried about the speed at which the system can be implemented and whether it can manage high volumes of inbound travelers.

Government-Proposed Solution to Public Concerns

The government, in response to public concerns, is working on an advanced payment system that integrates the tax with existing immigration processes, and the transaction is powered by Krungthai Bank, according to Thailand’s Tourism Minister Sorawong Thienthong.

If all goes as planned, visa-exempt tourists, visa applicants, and travelers holding re-entry permits will be able to make the payment as part of their online Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). 

The system works in two ways—for tourists who don’t need a visa, they’ll pay the tax when they arrive and can stay for 60 days; for all other visitors, they can pay ahead of time using a website or phone app.

This enables the handling of large volumes of transactions every day, minimizing wait times at airports and borders.

Potential Impact of Thailand’s New Tourist Tax

Frequent Travelers and Expats Face Additional Costs

Thailand has long been a budget-friendly tourist destination for those from Europe, Australia, and neighboring Asian countries. The tax is more likely to affect frequent travelers who visit Thailand a couple of times a year, as it could add up to a significant additional cost. 

Retirees and expats are also affected, as they will need to pay the tax each time they enter Thailand. These groups of people may want to reconsider their travel patterns and frequency.

A Potential Solution to Overtourism in Popular Destinations

By directing tax revenue to develop tourist sites outside popular tourist destinations (Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya), travelers are more encouraged and motivated to explore lesser-known areas of the country, distributing tourism benefits across Thailand. This could help reduce the pressure of overcrowded cities while promoting sustainable tourism practices.

Overall Tourism Experience Enhancement in the Long Run

As the tax revenue ultimately goes to tourist infrastructure improvements, Thailand is anticipated to become a more attractive destination in the long run. 

Maintained tourist sites and the introduction of the injury or death compensation scheme could perceptually improve Thailand’s image as a safe and enjoyable place to visit.

Safeguarding Your Next Thailand Visit

As Thailand continues to welcome millions of international visitors and embrace a more diversified tourism landscape, ensuring a seamless tax collection process is crucial in minimizing the impact of the new tourist tax initiative.

While the impact of Thailand’s tourist tax is still uncertain, one thing that we are sure about—as expats abroad, we can’t emphasize enough how important it is for you to secure international health insurance or travel insurance. It opens up the gateway to top-notch medical services and treatments in private healthcare facilities. 

With Pacific Prime Thailand, we leverage our 20 years of accumulated experience in the industry to help you compare and find the best health insurance plans from worldwide insurers for your needs and budget.

Contact our expert advisors today, or get an obligation-free quote directly from our online system!

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Eric Chung

Content Creator at Pacific Prime Thailand

Eric is an experienced content writer specializing in writing creative copies of marketing materials including social media posts, advertisements, landing pages, and video scripts.

Since joining Pacific Prime, Eric was exposed to a new world of insurance. Having learned about insurance products extensively, he has taken joy and satisfaction in helping individuals and businesses manage risks and protect themselves against financial loss through the power of words.

Although born and raised in Hong Kong, he spent a quarter of his life living and studying in the UK. He believes his multicultural experience is a great asset in understanding the needs and wants of expats and globe-trotters.

Eric’s strengths lie in his strong research, analytical, and communication skills, obtained through his BA in Linguistics from the University of York and MSc in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the University of Bristol.

Outside of work, he enjoys some me-time gaming and reading on his own, occasionally going absolutely mental on a night out with friends.

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