"Collecting 12,000 Won Tourism Tax"... Thailand Changes Stance After Regime Change

New Minister: "We Will Charge 300 Baht from Air Travelers"
Withdrawn in June, Reintroduced After Regime Change

The Thai government is reportedly reconsidering the plan to impose a 300 baht (approximately 12,000 won) tourism tax on foreign tourists as of the 23rd.

The Bangkok Post reported on the 17th that "the new Minister of Tourism is pushing to collect the previously suspended 300 baht tourism tax from the former administration to ensure tourism revenue reaches at least 3 trillion baht (121.8 billion won) this year." Sorawong Thienthong, the Minister of Tourism, stated at his inauguration on the 17th, "I believe collecting the tourism tax is beneficial to the tourism industry," adding, "The revenue can be used for infrastructure and attraction development, as well as ensuring tourist safety." If this system is implemented, foreigners arriving by air will have to pay 300 baht, while those arriving by sea or land will pay 150 baht (about 6,000 won). The Thai government said preparations are needed, so it is uncertain whether the tax can be collected within this year.

The Thai government has been promoting the collection of the tourism tax but has postponed implementation several times due to COVID-19 and opposition from the tourism sector. Discussions were held again this year but withdrawn in June. Last month, with the inauguration of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Chinnawatra, daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the plan was revived.

Patongtan Chinnawat, daughter of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and leader of the Pheu Thai Party, is smiling brightly during a press conference in Bangkok on August 15 (local time). On this day, the ruling coalition parties in Thailand, including the Pheu Thai Party, decided to nominate Patongtan as their next prime minister candidate. [AP=Yonhap News]

Tourism in Thailand is a key industry, accounting for about 20% of the gross domestic product (GDP) directly and indirectly. The number of foreign visitors to Thailand was about 40 million annually in 2019 but plummeted to 430,000 in 2021 due to COVID-19. As the pandemic subsided, foreign arrivals recovered to about 28 million last year, and approximately 15 million visited by early September this year. The Thai government's target for foreign tourist arrivals this year is 35 million. On September 1, Thailand implemented measures to revitalize the tourism industry, including expanding visa-free countries, extending stay periods for international students, and easing mandatory insurance limits, among other relaxed entry regulations.