The cost of travelling to Thailand is set to rise. As ultimately decided by the Thai government on Tuesday (February 14), the nation will begin charging foreign visitors a tourism fee beginning June 1 this year.
Air travellers will be assessed a tax of 300 Baht (≈RM39), which will be added to their airfare, while those arriving by land or water will be paid a cost of 150 Baht (≈RM19). Only individuals who stay a night in the nation, children below the age of 2, individuals visiting via diplomatic passports and those with work permits will be subject to the year-round charge.
The National Tourist Policy Committee’s proposed fee, which has been up for review since before the pandemic, has drawn criticism from the regional travel and tourism sector.
Government officials argued that it would help balance the medical expenses tourists incur at public hospitals, which amounted between RM 35.2…