Thailand: tourist tax postponed again

Thailand has agreed to postpone the application of the Thai Tourism Tax (Thailand Tourism Fee Or TTF) à september 2023. In a previous article, we talked about an application date of June 2023.. This is the second time the Thai government has postponed this decision.

This tax is intended to help protect the nation's natural environment and cultural heritage, but above all to finance a fund for health and accident insurance for tourists during their visit to Thailand. In fact, many insurers offer special products for this destination favored by retirees for long stays.

According to the Tourism and Sports Minister, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the starting date of the Thailand Tourism Fee (TTF) has been postponed from June to 1 September 2023 to ensure that the TTF system will operate smoothly, pic.twitter.com/yW09Srzqtg

- PR Thai Government (@prdthailand) April 26, 2023

According to Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the postponement was necessary to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the tax collection mechanism. He added that discussions were underway with the airlines to find the most efficient approach to collecting the tax in line with IATA regulations, as the airlines were not committed to applying the increase to their tickets.

What is the tourist tax in Thailand?

All foreign visitors entering Thailand must pay a tourist tax of 300 baht (8 €) for air arrival or 150 baht (4 €) for arrival by land or sea, according to the Thai government.

Who won't be subject to this tax?

Diplomats, children under two, adults with work permits, day-trippers, transit passengers and foreign nationals living permanently in Thailand are among the groups excluded from the tax.

And soon an exit tax?

Thailand's Ministry of Revenue conducted an opinion survey among tourism professionals to get their feedback on a possible exit tax for all travelers, Thai included. A rather high amount (1000 bahts, i.e. 28 € for air, and half for land and sea), it would bring in a new source of revenue for the government and, above all, limit spending by nationals in neighboring countries. The survey must have received a rather cool reception... The conclusions are expected in the second half of May 2023.

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