Thailand mulls over tourism levy

Tourists and officers at Suvarnabhumi airport wear face masks. (Photo: www.bangkokpost.com)

Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry is considering a plan to collect tourism levy from foreign arrivals once inbound flights and tourism activities resume in the country.

Bangkok Post newspaper reported that the levy is set to be 300 baht (10 USD) or less per person that could cover pandemic insurance. It would be collected once foreigners arrive in Thailand.

The scheme is part of the 20-year national strategic plan that requires Thai government agencies to have recurring income to sustain and stabilise the national economy.

The levy will be added to the tourism fund managed by the tourism and sports ministry that aims to rebuild and develop domestic tourism supply chains, as well as offer safety and security protection for tourists.

The goal is to have tourists entering via air travel charged as a part of their air tickets, but the measure of collection for land and sea transport is yet to be finalised.

Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said this idea was initiated last year but was delayed because of the pandemic, adding that now is the right time to initiate collection.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand's new target is 16 million arrivals this year. However, Phiphat voiced his doubt as international tourists will not come back before the fourth quarter.

Compared with the last quarter of 2019, when Thailand served 11-12 million arrivals, the new goal is too high amid these circumstances, he said./.