News Forum - Thailand doesn’t need to introduce 300 baht entry fee yet, says PM Prayut

[Thaiger]

Thailand’s prime minister has pushed back the introduction of a 300 baht ‘entry fee’ for international tourists arriving in the kingdom. Since Test & Go and other entry restrictions were dropped on May 1, Thailand has experienced a surge in international arrivals. If tourism levels continue to climb and significantly improve national income this year, it might not be necessary to introduce the entry fee yet, according to PM Prayut Chan-o-Cha. However, the tourist ministry has suggested the fee could be introduced in August or September this year. Introducing a Thailand Tourism Fee – or TTF – is not as […]

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[JJJ]

So under his logic, the government needs to introduce the fee because of low tourist arrivals.

Actually the government probably would have earned more just through VAT income had they eliminated Thai Pass and insurance requirement from May 1 through more arrivals. 

A lot more tourists would have come this weekend alone from Malaysia and Singapore if Thailand had removed restrictions earlier. 

[Ramanathan.P]

No matter what happens in the shop floor, those who are sitting in the "Eiffel Tower"  will never learn forever until the Tower collapse and they are landed on the ground by force.

[Ramanathan.P]

27 minutes ago, JJJ said:

So under his logic, the government needs to introduce the fee because of low tourist arrivals.

Actually the government probably would have earned more just through VAT income had they eliminated Thai Pass and insurance requirement from May 1 through more arrivals. 

A lot more tourists would have come this weekend alone from Malaysia and Singapore if Thailand had removed restrictions earlier. 

They are station very far North to see the South...

[BIGGLES]

If the Tourist entry fee is in the main, going to be used for the upkeep of tourist attractions, what happens to the money that the tourist pays, to visit the tourist attraction?

If, on the other hand, the fee is indeed to provide tourists with some degree of health/travel insurance, will a schedule of benefits and how to make a claim be provided?

If the insurance is a genuine reality, will this impact on the general wider travel insurance industry for cover in Thailand, (drive costs down)?

Will those who are over 75 be covered?

If this insurance is in place, and you become a retiree, would you still be covered?

Don't forget that the old departure tax has not gone away, it is also included in your airline ticket. 

IT'S JUST A MONEY GRAB.

This tax and the current departure tax will add about a 1000 baht to the ticket price.

I DON'T LIKE IT, BUT I WILL NOT LOOSE A LOT OF SLEEP OVER IT.

 

[palooka]

18 minutes ago, BIGGLES said:

If the Tourist entry fee is in the main, going to be used for the upkeep of tourist attractions, what happens to the money that the tourist pays, to visit the tourist attraction?

If, on the other hand, the fee is indeed to provide tourists with some degree of health/travel insurance, will a schedule of benefits and how to make a claim be provided?

If the insurance is a genuine reality, will this impact on the general wider travel insurance industry for cover in Thailand, (drive costs down)?

Will those who are over 75 be covered?

If this insurance is in place, and you become a retiree, would you still be covered?

Don't forget that the old departure tax has not gone away, it is also included in your airline ticket. 

IT'S JUST A MONEY GRAB.

This tax and the current departure tax will add about a 1000 baht to the ticket price.

I DON'T LIKE IT, BUT I WILL NOT LOOSE A LOT OF SLEEP OVER IT.

All good points, bet you don't get a satisfactory answer to any of them, not this year at least.

[palooka]

Pnut is back peddling. He thought he could just say pay 300 baht and get the airlines to collect. 

Think the airlines may have told him where to shove it.

[harry1]

and who be paying the tourists who over the last year have lost thousands due flip flop rules

[palooka]

 

1 hour ago, harry1 said:

and who be paying the tourists who over the last year have lost thousands due flip flop rules

Apply for a refund from Thailand Tourist Association.

Application form filled out in triplicate.

3 copies of all receipts for losses on official receipt from whoever.

Chronologically assemble them all.

Take to a Thai Govt authorised tranlator and get 3 copies of all documents translated to Thai.

Have all copies then signed off by your countrys leader.

Add 3 Photos

Add $US 100 for processing fee, include a return addressed envelope.

Processing time is currently 2 years due to the unprecedented number of claims so wait patiently for at least 5 years.

 

[JJJ]

4 hours ago, palooka said:

Pnut is back peddling. He thought he could just say pay 300 baht and get the airlines to collect. 

Think the airlines may have told him where to shove it.

Totally agree. Lufthansa, BA, Emirates, Qatar etc plus the IATA fly to hundreds of countries. Either a fee applies to everyone or no one. They’re not going to spend millions code special pricing just because one country wants a new fee on some travelers. 

They know how uncouth it looks to collect the fee at the airport which tells you enough—don’t collect the fee. Thailand already earns plenty through VAT, hotel taxes, and other tourist rip offs. 

This is however typical bureaucrat style—create an unworkable rule, make others enforce it, and blame them for all the problems. 

[PapayaBokBok]

5 hours ago, BIGGLES said:

IT'S JUST A MONEY GRAB.

wait a minute--are we talking about thailand??????...

[Janneman]

Most tourists already have a travel insurance to cover the cost of accidents, unexpected medical care etcetera. 

I do not care about the 300 bath, lots of countries have someting like that. Usually 10-20 dollar, to be paid in cash when entering the country. Simple system. Easier than defining 17 different groups, each with their own criteria whether or not they should pay, and how much. That only means a nuisance for tourists. And plenty of paperwork for government officials.