Thailand has decided to postpone the collection of a tourist tax from foreign visitors until September 2023.
The tourist tax was to be used to finance an insurance fund for travelers in the event of accident or illness during their stay in Thailand. It should also contribute to the preservation of the environment and the cultural heritage of the country.
According to the Minister of Tourism and Sports, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the deferral was necessary to ensure the proper functioning and efficiency of the fee collection system. He also said discussions with airlines were underway to determine how best to collect the charge in accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) rules.
What is the Thai tourist tax?
The Royal Thai Government plans to impose a tourist tax of 300 baht, the equivalent of 9 dollars (or around 8 euros), on all international tourists arriving in the country. The purpose of the tax is to develop and improve tourist destinations, as well as to provide medical insurance for tourists. While it is not yet clear what medical insurance covers, previous announcements suggested that government coverage would be limited to discretionary assistance in the event of a serious accident.
Who is exempt from tourist tax?
Certain groups are exempt from the tax, including diplomats, children under the age of 2, work permit holders, travelers spending only one day in Thailand or in transit, and permanent foreign residents. in Thailand.
Implementation of the new tax has been delayed until September due to airlines’ reluctance to include the tax in air fares while excluding it from tickets for Thai nationals and exempt groups. It is not yet clear whether the dilemma will be solved by taxing everyone and instituting a refund policy after arrival, or by educating travel agents on what documents to look for when deciding whether or not to include the tax.
2023-05-06 11:27:53
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