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Entry into Thailand toll-free from June 1, 2023

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Entry into Thailand toll-free from June 1, 2023

From June 1, 2023, Thailand will start charging a tourist fee to arriving foreigners, which will be added to the cost of airline tickets

The Thai Cabinet approved a tourist fee of 300 baht for foreigners arriving by air and 150 baht for everyone else from June 2023, the Bangkok Post reported citing the Minister of Tourism and Sports.

Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister said the Cabinet approved Feb. 14 to introduce a 150-baht and 300-baht entry fee for foreign tourists, except for day visitors, starting in June.

The 300 baht rate will apply to visitors arriving by air, while the 150 baht fee will apply to those entering the country by water and land transport, said Phiphat Ratchakitprakan.

The fee is less for those arriving by water and land, as they are likely to be in the country for only a few days. Visitors who do not stay overnight will be exempt from paying the fee, the minister explained.

The government expects to collect about 3.9 billion baht this year, and part of that amount will be used to provide health and accident insurance for foreign tourists during their stay.

“The entry fee will support the care of tourists. From 2017 to 2019, foreign tourists used public hospitals, costing the state 300 million to 400 million baht,” Phiphat said.

The entry fee, widely criticized by the local tourism industry, comes amid a surge in tourist arrivals that is gaining momentum following the lifting of restrictions imposed during the pandemic and the end of China’s “zero covid” policy.

This year, the number of foreign tourists to Thailand could reach 30 million, nearly three times what it was last year’s 11.2 million, according to some estimates. In pre-pandemic 2019, the number of tourist arrivals reached a record high of 40 million.

Authorities have long considered introducing an entry fee for foreign travelers, but the introduction was delayed because of the pandemic. Part of the fee will also help fund the development of local tourist attractions, Phiphat said.

The fee will be added to the cost of airline tickets, while the method for charging those entering by land has yet to be determined, the government said last year.

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