Travelling to Thailand isn’t something unfamiliar to foreigners – Malaysians included, be it the love for Thailand’s soothing destinations or their adrenaline-rush venues. Unfortunately, fellow travellers, there’s an unexpected twist for your trip to Thailand for the new year!
Starting next year, foreign tourists who adore travelling to Thailand are advised to save up a little extra as they will be required to pay THB300 (approximately RM40) of tourism tax starting next year, announced by the country’s Tourism and Sports Ministry. Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister, Sorawong Thienthong, stated that the THB300 (RM40) of tourism tax will be submitted for Cabinet approval in January 2025.
However, this is not a surprising announcement, as Thailand has established a similar tax for foreign tourists sometime in the past. The nation’s tourism board first suggested the tax be reintroduced last year to vanquish the issues of overtourism. This project was approved by the previous government, run by Prayut Chan-o-cha in February 2023, but requires consent from the new Cabinet as the administration has changed since the elections.
Sorawong also said that the tax will begin with air passengers in the earlier phase, as six months are needed before the system starts working. Once the system runs smoothly, the country will inflict taxes on foreign travellers who enter Thailand overland as part of the secondary phase.
He assured that the transaction system to pay the tax will be prepared by Krungthai Bank, where tourists can pay via a website or an app that is currently being developed. Once the project has been approved by the government, the ministry will begin a process of recruiting software developers and insurance companies.
Based on the ministry’s study, those who travel frequently across borders for trade purposes will not be affected, as they can use a border pass to be exempt from the charge. What do you think about this new change?
Source: BangkokPost
Tiana contributed to this article.
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