Thailand tourist entry fee
Thai tourism authorities have announced a new condition of entry for international travellers. Here’s what you need to know.
Foreign travellers arriving in Thailand will need to pay a fee to enter the country as tourism nears pre-pandemic levels.
The move to implement the levy, which was previously in motion by local authorities before being delayed by the pandemic, comes as the South East Asian nation experiences an influx of tourists following the abolishment of Covid-related travel restrictions, prompting the government to re-endorse the rule.
Thailand will impose the new payment on June 1, 2023, a popular time for Australian travellers to visit the tropical destination as Australia’s winter ramps up. Foreign tourist arrivals in Thailand are predicted to reach around 30 million this year, a significant increase from the 11.2 million visitors recorded in 2022. In 2019 that number reached 40 million visitors, approximately 800,000 of which were Australian travellers, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The move has attracted some criticism by the local tourism industry who have concerns over how the distribution of the funds will be managed, despite official proposals to inject it into other sectors of the local economy.
So how will this change impact Australian travellers? Here’s what you need to know when planning a trip to Thailand.
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How much is the entry fee?
The new entry fee will either be 150 Thai Baht ($6 AUD) or 300 Thai Baht ($13 AUD). The charge depends on whether you arrive in Thailand by air, land or sea. Those arriving by air travel will pay the $13 AUD fee, while those entering the country by water or land transport will fall under the $6 payment.
According to local authorities, the fee is lower for those travelling by land or water because they are more likely to stay in the country for only a few days.
Who is exempt from paying the entry fee?
Visitors who do not stay in Thailand overnight are exempt from paying the fee, along with children under the age of two, Thai nationals, diplomatic passport holders and people with valid Thai work permits.
How is the fee payable?
The levy will be added to international airfares. However, the method of collection from entry by land or sea is yet to be confirmed.
Where does the money go?
Local news agencies like the Bangkok Post have reported that part of the sum will be used to provide health and accident insurance coverage for tourists during their stay in the country, while a vast majority of the fee collected will contribute to the development and ongoing preservation of tourist attractions.
When does this new rule roll out?
The rule will be starting on June 1, 2023.
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