Thailand plans to impose a tourist tax, possibly starting as early as January next year

▲ Traveling to Thailand will soon come with an additional cost — the tourist tax. (Photo / From Wikimedia Commons)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

To prevent overstays and improve tourist quality, Thailand is preparing to start collecting a tourist tax from January next year. Authorities will charge approximately NT$30 or NT$500 based on the mode of entry and length of stay.

According to Hong Kong media reports, the tourist tax will have two charging methods: foreigners entering via airports or staying more than three days will be charged an entry fee of 500 Thai baht (about NT$500), while those entering overland or staying less than three days will pay 30 Thai baht (about NT$30) per day. The Thai government believes this move will not only increase national revenue but also ensure tourists do not overstay their visas.

Thailand’s Minister of Public Health stated that the collected entry fees will be allocated to various departments including tourism, health, foreign affairs, and immigration. Implementation is expected to begin as early as January 1 next year, but to avoid confusion among travelers, there is also consideration of postponing the official rollout to mid-January.