The Ministry of Tourism and Sports in Thailand is contemplating a hike in the planned entry fee for foreign tourists, initially set at 300 baht, as announced by Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul on Wednesday. This fee, first suggested in 2020 but not yet implemented, may be increased due to inflation and rising insurance costs, aiming to provide extended coverage at private hospitals for tourists. Authorities have indicated that most of the revenue from this fee will support tourist insurance, while the rest will go toward maintaining tourist sites and enhancing infrastructure.
The reconsideration of the fee comes on the heels of the government’s decision to abolish the 60-day visa exemptions for visitors from 93 countries. This move, long in the planning, is in response to concerns over escalating illegal activities by foreigners. Minister Surasak emphasized the importance of finalizing the fee collection process in a manner that does not negatively affect traveler sentiment. Two potential collection methods are being considered: incorporating the fee into airline tickets or utilizing the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system, which all foreign visitors must complete upon entry.
Airlines have expressed concerns about imposing the tax solely on foreign passengers, as this would necessitate a refund mechanism for Thai passengers through an application if the fee is collected via airline tickets. Conversely, using the TDAC system could streamline the process exclusively for foreign visitors. The final fee amount will largely depend on the anticipated costs associated with accident insurance and medical treatments in private hospitals, which currently face unpaid bills from foreign visitors totaling around 2.5 billion baht annually.
Discussions with the Thai General Insurance Association are planned to negotiate a suitable insurance premium, according to Minister Surasak. Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, head of the Thai Hotels Association, calls for clarity on the types of incidents the insurance fund will cover and the specific allocation for major infrastructure projects. Authorities are also examining the kinds of incidents involving tourists that strain hospital resources and whether the policy should include coverage for events like floods, construction accidents, or unlicensed motorcycle crashes.
Concurrently, officials are working on the timeline for modifying the visa exemption periods, which will transition from 60-day to 30-day and 15-day allowances, along with visa-on-arrival options anticipated for 2024. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, leading the national visa policy committee, will coordinate with foreign ministries to communicate these changes effectively. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is advocating for adjustments in the visa policy for specific countries, highlighting India as a key market currently eligible only for visas on arrival, with a proposed 15-day visa exemption. Meanwhile, the Tourism Authority of Thailand is being urged to revise its 2026 goals and strategies, considering the impact of the ongoing US-Iran conflict on tourism targets, which aim for 33 million foreign arrivals. Minister Surasak noted that the shortened visa exemption is unlikely to impact tourist numbers, as the average stay is typically around nine days.