Thailand is famous as a vacation spot, and for good reason. This country has the best of everything — amazing local cuisine, booming beaches, crazy nightlife, and stunning temples. Most importantly, it is an affordable country for a holiday as it is a safe haven for young travellers on a budget.
Unfortunately, the Thailand government has announced that they’re in the midst of planning the implementation of a THB300 (approximately RM37) immigration fee for all tourists travelling to the country by air. A slight bump in what’s meant to be an affordable trip, but thankfully, it’s not a high fee. This is something the Thai government has been planning to do for a while, but has only just gotten around to doing.
Phipat Ratchakitprakarn, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism, announced on 29 August that the immigration charge will be implemented in the beginning of 2023.
The Tourist Entry Fee will be included in the price of plane tickets, while transit passengers and day-trippers will not have to pay it.
The Tourism Ministry has not yet decided whether or not the cost will apply to foreigners entering Thailand by land and sea, although they have indicated that this may not be the case, or that the fee may be decreased for arrivals by land and sea. Reason being, visitors who arrive in Thailand by land typically only spend three days there.
Foreign diplomats and expats, Thai nationals, individuals with permanent residency, children younger than two years old, and those with a valid work permit are all exempt from paying the entry charge.
The ministry added that the tax will act as accident insurance for tourists who get into trouble while they are in the kingdom. However, exact details about what kinds of accidents are covered or how the insurance policy works have not been released yet.
More information about travelling to Thailand can be found here.
