Foreign air travellers could face Bt450 fee next year

Thailand plans to impose a Bt450 fee on all non-Thai travellers arriving from abroad next year, with air travellers to be the first to face the charge, followed by those arriving by land and sea at a later date.

The national tourism policy committee, chaired by Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun, approved the proposed fee at its meeting last Friday. The proposal will, however, be subject to a public hearing and a detailed study on how the fee will be collected before it is forwarded to the Cabinet for final approval.

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said the fees collected would go to a fund for the development of tourist destinations and be used to provide insurance coverage for tourists.

He expects collection of the fee to begin early next year, with air travellers to be the first to be charged. Land and sea travellers will probably start paying the fee within the next 12 months, as some preparations will have to be made first.

The minister also said the ministry was in the process of streamlining the national tourism development plan for the next five years, starting next year. The plan will emphasise attracting “quality tourists” and increasing the value of tourism to the nation.