Thailand prepares to introduce tourism tax.

Once approved, the tax will take effect within six months or by mid-2025.

Thailand's controversial "landing fee" has been renamed a tourism tax and is expected to take effect around mid-2025, starting with visitors arriving by air.

The Nation newspaper reported on October 24th that Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports Sorawong Thienthong said the new tax will be submitted to the cabinet for approval in the first quarter of 2025.

Once approved, the tax will take effect within six months or by mid-2025, and will apply to air travelers in the initial phase.

Chinese tourists arrive at Bangkok airport in September 2023. Photo: REUTERS

The aforementioned landing fee was approved in principle by the Thai cabinet in February 2023, stipulating a charge of 300 baht (approximately 226,000 VND) for foreign visitors arriving by air and 150 baht for those arriving by land or sea.

According to Mr. Sorawong, the money raised will be used to purchase insurance for foreign tourists. The remainder will be added to the tourism development fund to support improvements to tourist attractions, including building facilities for people with disabilities and restrooms for tourists.

Minister Sorawong stated that Thailand is developing an application to collect the aforementioned tax. Furthermore, after the initial implementation phase, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports may propose adjusting the fee to 300 baht for all border crossings to avoid accusations of discrimination.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/thai-lan-chuan-bi-thu-thue-du-lich-196241024221118057.htm