Thailand abolishes tourism fee to encourage more visitors

 

Thailand abolishes tourism fee to boost economy and attract more visitors

On June 8, Thai Prime Minister Sritha Thawisin announced that the government would not go ahead with the previous administration's plan to charge foreign tourists a 300 baht (about $11) fee when they enter Thailand by air.

Mr. Sritha explained that his administration decided not to implement the policy, which was first proposed in February 2023 but faced resistance from the private sector. He argued that, while the fee may bring some immediate revenue, allowing tourists to enter without this fee could lead to more spending on shopping and activities, ultimately boosting the economy.

He stressed the importance of considering the opinions of all stakeholders and mentioned that if the government can raise revenue through other tax sources, it can fund tourism initiatives as needed.

Regarding Thailand's fall to 47th place in the World Economic Forum's Tourism and Travel Growth Index, Mr. Sritha preferred to focus on constructive development rather than assigning blame. He recognised that tourism is a key sector for generating significant revenue and emphasised the need to honour past efforts to promote it.

Mr. Shrestha also highlighted the country being recognised as a top tourist destination in various surveys, and underlined the importance of listening to constructive feedback for further improvement.

Apart from tourism, Mr. Shrestha discussed the ongoing talks with Apple for a partnership on the Startup Centre at Chiang Mai University's Science and Technology Park. He mentioned that they are ready to finalise the preliminary agreement and plan to set up the Apple Developer Academy in Thailand. The team is arranging for Apple executives to visit and finalise the deal by the end of 2025.