The Cabinet approved the draft Announcement of the National Tourism Policy Committee. It is scheduled to collect fees for foreign tourists entering Thailand at a rate of 150-300 baht, expected to start collecting on June 1, 2023, replacing expenses of 300-400 million baht, used as working capital for taking care of tourists and tourist attractions. Build an image and confidence in safety
Today (February 14), Ms. Traisulee Traisoranakul, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, said that the Cabinet meeting (Cabinet) on February 14, 2023 had approved the draft announcement of the National Policy Committee. National Tourism Administration on the collection of domestic travel fees for foreign tourists B.E….. as proposed by the National Tourism Policy Committee (TTC).
In this regard, the draft Announcement essentially specifies criteria, methods and conditions for collecting domestic tourism fees from foreign tourists entering Thailand. The fee is 300 baht per person per time. for travelers entering Thailand through air channels and 150 baht per person per time for travelers entering land and water channels By waiving the collection of fees for passport holders for diplomatic, consular or official purposes (Diplomatic or Official Passport), those who are permitted to work in Thailand (Work Permit) or permits for aliens to work in the Kingdom specifically as specified by set by the Ministry of Labor Transit Passengers, infants and children under 2 years of age and other persons as determined by the TTC Commission.
Simultaneously, the Cabinet has assigned the Immigration Office (SorTorMor.) to improve the ministerial regulations. Criteria and conditions for obtaining a visa and related laws issued accordingly The Immigration Act, 1979, which requires the use of evidence of payment of foreign tourists’ domestic travel fees. It is a supporting document for immigration permission and the Immigration Office will be the person to examine the evidence of payment of fees for consideration of immigration permission.
Ms. Traisulee said that this issuance of the TTC announcement was made in accordance with the National Tourism Policy Act (B.E. 2551) amended by National Tourism Policy Act (No. 2) B.E. to pay for the administration and development of tourism As well as being used to provide insurance for foreign tourists during their trip within Thailand.
In addition, the Tourism Policy Act also prescribes the establishment of a fund to promote Thai tourism which is intended to be used as a working capital for tourism development Building Competitiveness for the Tourism Industry Skill development in management, marketing or conservation of tourism resources in the community Maintaining the quality of tourist attractions Promote local new tourism products Including the provision of insurance for foreign tourists. Currently, the Ministry of Tourism is in the process of setting up a fund.
Miss Trisulee said the Ministry of Tourism and Sports A comparative study has found that Thailand is not the first country to charge foreign tourists fees. There are currently more than 40 countries around the world that charge different fees. But Thailand is the first country in the world to collect fees and have welfare back to tourists through accident insurance, death and repatriation of bodies to take care, help, heal tourists. This will promote the image of confidence in safety for foreign tourists. For doing so, this will help reduce the burden on the budget for care. heal tourists and public health Due to insufficient collection of medical expenses, there is a loss of the national budget of about 300-400 million baht per year, including the budget for taking care of tourist attractions. Environmental and natural resources degradation from tourism Including the budget for the development of public utilities that will support safe tourism.
Ms. Trisulee said that the essence of the draft announcement In addition to setting the above fee rates It has also set a time frame for enforcement which will be effective after 90 days from the date of publication in the Royal Gazette, specifying various definitions clearly, specifying methods for collecting air fees to be collected through air fares. The land and water parts are collected through the site. Mobile Application and Payment Service Kiosk (Kiosk)
By requiring that the aircraft operator and the operator have a duty to register with the fund. To develop its own system for connecting, receiving, transmitting and exchanging passenger data. Fee payment information with the fee collection system before flying into Thailand Air operators and operators will receive compensation for collecting fees from the Fund. as agreed, etc.
