Thailand opens consultation on proposed THB450 foreign tourist fee
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The draft would allow foreign tourists multiple trips into and out of Thailand within 30 days without another payment while covered by the insurance provided.
- Thailand's government is seeking public comment on a proposed THB450 fee for foreign tourists.
- The fee would be collected upon entry and would cover multiple entries within a 30-day period.
- Implementation would be staggered, applying to air travel first, with land and sea entry collection beginning one year after the law takes effect.
- Several groups would be exempt, including work permit holders, diplomats, transit passengers, and children under two.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports recently invited public comments on a draft notification from the National Tourism Policy Committee.
It concerns a tourism fee for foreign tourists.
Under the proposal, the fee would be collected when they entered Thailand.
Key provisions of the draft
- The fee would be THB450 per person.
- Foreign tourists could enter and leave Thailand multiple times without paying again, provided the journeys took place within a 30-day period, and they were covered by the insurance provided for them.
- For entry by air, fee collection would begin on the date the notification took effect.
- For travel by land and water, collection would begin after one year.
- Exemptions would apply under prescribed criteria, including state guests and guests of the government, holders of diplomatic and official passports, work permit holders, border pass holders, transit passengers, crew members and children under two.
- Comments may be submitted between August 24 and September 28.
Channels for public comments
- The Law Portal at law.go.th
- The website of the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, at secretary.mots.go.th
All comments and suggestions from the public and relevant parties will provide important information for consideration of the draft, helping ensure that it is appropriate, carefully considered and consistent with the country’s interests.
However, the draft is currently undergoing public consultation and is not yet in force.
