Bangkok (VNA) - The planned 300-baht tourism fee isexpected to apply to all foreigners entering Thailand without exception, serving as insurancecoverage of up to 500,000 baht per person in case of accidents.
But the fee has been repeatedly postponed since it wasproposed in January this year, with an uncertain timeline for its launch.
Mongkon Wimonrat, Assistant Permanent Secretary at theTourism and Sports Ministry, was quoted by local media as saying that thecollection method and system for those arriving by air is now ready to launch.
However, he said the ministry needs to conduct further studies on land and seaentry, meaning the programme will start when all ports of entry are equippedwith feasible collection methods.
The tourism fee was initially planned for collection frominternational arrivals, with the exception of diplomats and expatriates inThailand.
However, Mongkon said exemptions for certain groups cannotbe implemented as airline ticketing systems have to embed the fee, and airfaresonly recognise passenger information listed in passports.
As a result, the fee collection will apply to allentrants who are not Thai citizens, regardless of nationality or visa type, hesaid.
The 300-baht fee will guarantee insurance coverage duringforeigners' stay in Thailand for up to 30 days, said Mongkon.
For travellers encountering an accident, riot, terrorismattack, natural disaster or other incidents, coverage is restricted to amaximum of 500,000 baht, while coverage for any damage caused by emotionaldistress cannot exceed 20,000 baht, said the ministry.
In the event of death, the insurance pays out 1 million bahtper person, while coverage for crematory expenses is up to 150,000 baht perperson. COVID-19 and other types of illness are excluded from this coverage,said the ministry.
The government has to reconsider the timeline to start thisprogramme, Mongkon said, adding that some countries have not fullyreopened, so Thailand might have to wait for a more appropriate time to launch.
The entry fee for day-pass entrants will be reduced to facilitate cross-border trade and business, he said.
The Airlines Association of Thailand last month raised concernsabout the scheme as the fees applied to foreigners might be regarded asdiscriminatory.
In June, the ministry removed the programme from the agendaof a cabinet meeting, saying the fee collection method for land entry had notyet been decided.
If the programme is approved by the cabinet, fee collectionshould start within 90 days after publication in the Royal Gazette./.
But the fee has been repeatedly postponed since it wasproposed in January this year, with an uncertain timeline for its launch.
Mongkon Wimonrat, Assistant Permanent Secretary at theTourism and Sports Ministry, was quoted by local media as saying that thecollection method and system for those arriving by air is now ready to launch.
However, he said the ministry needs to conduct further studies on land and seaentry, meaning the programme will start when all ports of entry are equippedwith feasible collection methods.
The tourism fee was initially planned for collection frominternational arrivals, with the exception of diplomats and expatriates inThailand.
However, Mongkon said exemptions for certain groups cannotbe implemented as airline ticketing systems have to embed the fee, and airfaresonly recognise passenger information listed in passports.
As a result, the fee collection will apply to allentrants who are not Thai citizens, regardless of nationality or visa type, hesaid.
The 300-baht fee will guarantee insurance coverage duringforeigners' stay in Thailand for up to 30 days, said Mongkon.
For travellers encountering an accident, riot, terrorismattack, natural disaster or other incidents, coverage is restricted to amaximum of 500,000 baht, while coverage for any damage caused by emotionaldistress cannot exceed 20,000 baht, said the ministry.
In the event of death, the insurance pays out 1 million bahtper person, while coverage for crematory expenses is up to 150,000 baht perperson. COVID-19 and other types of illness are excluded from this coverage,said the ministry.
The government has to reconsider the timeline to start thisprogramme, Mongkon said, adding that some countries have not fullyreopened, so Thailand might have to wait for a more appropriate time to launch.
The entry fee for day-pass entrants will be reduced to facilitate cross-border trade and business, he said.
The Airlines Association of Thailand last month raised concernsabout the scheme as the fees applied to foreigners might be regarded asdiscriminatory.
In June, the ministry removed the programme from the agendaof a cabinet meeting, saying the fee collection method for land entry had notyet been decided.
If the programme is approved by the cabinet, fee collectionshould start within 90 days after publication in the Royal Gazette./.
VNA
