“Too Expensive!” Thailand Plans to Impose 500 Baht Entry Tax Starting New Year’s Day Next Year

▲The Thai government plans to impose a 500 baht entry tax starting next New Year’s Day. (Photo / Provided by the Tourism Authority of Thailand)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Travelers planning to visit Thailand during the winter break should take note: The Thai government is currently drafting plans to impose a 500 baht (approximately NT$470) entry tax on tourists staying in Thailand for more than three days starting from New Year’s Day 2014 (2014), while airport taxes will also be raised by 100 baht (approximately NT$95).

According to a report by the Thai newspaper Bangkok Post, Thai Public Health Minister Pradit Sintavanarong told them that the government expects to start collecting the entry tax from January 2014. Travelers staying for more than three days will be charged 500 baht, and those staying less than three days will also be charged 30 baht per day (approximately NT$28).

Pradit said, “This measure is mainly because every year, some tourists entering Thailand are unable to return home due to health or emergency issues, which forces the Thai government to allocate a budget of 400 million baht annually to assist them, creating a financial burden. The increased tax revenue will help balance government spending.” He also believes this measure will help attract more high-quality tourists to Thailand.

▲Not only will the entry tax be increased, but airport taxes for both domestic and international flights in Thailand will also go up. The image above shows the terminal of Suvarnabhumi Airport. (Photo / From Wikipedia)

In addition, the Thai government will also raise airport taxes at various airports in Thailand: domestic flights will increase from 100 baht per person to 200 baht, and international flights will rise from 700 baht per person to 800 baht. The increased airport taxes and entry taxes will be reflected in ticket prices.

Sitdiwat Cheevarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), expressed his concerns about this policy. Sitdiwat believes it will have a significant impact on Thailand’s tourism industry, both in the short and long term. “The insurance fee is already included in each traveler’s charges. Implementing an entry tax would be like double-charging and could also lead to tourists having a negative impression of Thailand, even feeling deceived.” Sitdiwat urged the government, if necessary to implement the tax, to publicly disclose the specific use of these revenues and improve the quality of tourism services in all aspects, so travelers don’t feel like they’re being taken advantage of.