{"id":7019060,"date":"2024-10-14T14:14:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-14T12:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visamundi.co\/?p=7019060"},"modified":"2024-10-14T12:15:22","modified_gmt":"2024-10-14T10:15:22","slug":"thailand-the-tourist-tax-resurfaces-with-the-new-tourism-minister","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visamundi.co\/en\/blog\/thailande-la-taxe-touristique-refait-surface-avec-le-nouveau-ministre-du-tourisme\/","title":{"rendered":"Thailand: The tourism tax resurfaces with the new Minister of Tourism"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thailand is set to reintroduce a controversial tourist tax, a decision that is already sparking heated debate in the kingdom. The new Minister of Tourism, Sorawong Thienthong<\/strong>announced its intention to introduce the 300 baht (8 €<\/span>) for visitors arriving by air, and 150 baht (4 €<\/span>) for those entering by land or sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A resurgent project<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is not a new idea. The previous government had already considered the idea earlier this year, but shelved it in the face of criticism from the private sector.<\/a>. But Sorawong Thienthong<\/strong>newly appointed to his post on September 16, wasted no time in putting the subject back on the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I'm convinced that the collection of this tax will benefit the tourism industry. The revenue generated can be used to develop infrastructure, improve attractions and enhance tourist safety.<\/p>Sorawong Thienthong, Minister of Tourism<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ambitious goals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This measure is part of a wider strategy to boost Thai tourism. Sorawong Thienthong has set an ambitious goal: achieve at least 3,000 billion baht in tourism revenues this year<\/strong>. To achieve this, the Ministry is counting on several levers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Development of artificial attractions<\/strong>
    The government intends to support investment in new man-made attractions, offering tax incentives to the private sector to encourage these projects.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Promoting secondary towns<\/strong>
    The \"One Map Tourism<\/strong><\/em>\"is designed to encourage tourists to explore all of Thailand's provinces, beyond the flagship destinations of Bangkok and Phuket.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Sports tourism<\/strong>
    The Ministry is keen to capitalize on sporting events to attract visitors, going so far as to consider staging a Formula 1 Grand Prix on the streets of Bangkok.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Strengthening air links
    <\/strong>Work is underway with airlines to restore pre-pandemic flight capacity and develop new routes to secondary cities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    A still vague timetable<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    While the principle of the tourist tax seems to have been accepted, its practical implementation has yet to be defined. The Minister has indicated that he needs more time to study the feasibility of the system and finalize the collection methods. He did not rule out a launch as early as the last quarter of 2024.<\/span>but the deadline could be pushed back to 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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