It's a small expense to add to your travel budget if you plan to visit the Land of Smiles anytime soon.
Initially scheduled for January and then April 2022, the new tourist tax wanted by the Thai government has been postponed several times.
"
Its amount will be 300 baht
[i.e. approximately 8 €, editor's note]
, but its date of application has not yet been defined by the authorities
", specifies in
Figaro
Soraya Homchuen, director of the tourist office of Thailand in France .
While the collection system is already ready at airports, the government is still considering which one will be set up at sea and land entry points,
the deputy secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Tourism told the
Bangkok Post
newspaper. Sports, Mongkon Wimonrat.
The program will start when all entry points are equipped.
Finishes which should shift the introduction of this tax to January 2023 at least.
Read alsoHow Thailand plans to turn the page on mass tourism
Payment on arrival
The authorities wanted this tax to be collected directly by the airlines when the plane ticket is purchased, as are already airport taxes or taxes relating to safety and security, for example.
But the Kingdom's Airlines Association objected, saying the charges could be discriminatory.
In fact, carriers only have access to the data appearing on the passengers' passport (surname, first name, date of birth, etc.).
However in this case, impossible to make the difference between a tourist and an expatriate or a diplomat, the latter must be exempted from this tax.
The government has therefore opted for collection on arrival when passing through customs.
"
The proceeds will be used for insurance coverage for foreign tourists and improving infrastructure for sustainable tourism,
" Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Yuthasak Supasorn told AFP earlier this year. .
The insurance, valid for a maximum of 30 days, will cover the risk of accident, riot, terrorist attack and natural disaster up to 500,000 baht (about €13,700), specifies the
Bangkok Post
.
But not the risks related to Covid-19 or other diseases for which tourists are invited to take out optional travel insurance before departure.
Read alsoIn Thailand, almost back to normal for travelers after months of restrictions
Tourist taxes elsewhere in the world
Thailand is not the only country to apply a tourist tax to foreign visitors.
Recently, Bhutan tripled its amount, now set at €200 per day per traveler.
Since 2019, foreigners must pay a fee of €9 upon arrival in Bali (Indonesia), a sum reinjected into a program to preserve the environment and Balinese culture.
This tax is also applied locally.
In many cities around the world, a tourist tax is applied to each night spent in tourist accommodation (hotel, campsite, etc.).
In Italy, Venice plans to charge a tax of €3 to €10 to day visitors from January 2023. But there too, its implementation has been repeatedly delayed.
