Tourist tax, COVID-19 rules and visa policy: Everything you need to know when visiting Thailand right now
Thailand Truly a magical feeling destination. Bustling Bangkok has gilded temples and fascinating cultural sites while beautiful island and beautiful beaches have some of the most luxurious resorts in the world. The jungle-filled northern province beckons visitors to spend time walking with elephants and exploring pristine nature.
In order to protect these natural resources, the Tourism Authority of Thailand said it will partially focus Customer Marketing Campaign 2023 on meaningful tourism, including responsible tourism and sustainability initiatives. Part of this plan is a proposed 300 baht (about $9) tourist tax on incoming international tourists.
The country’s tourism minister, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, said the money raised would go towards helping travelers who have had accidents and towards developing tourist destinations. Fees will be collected once from air travelers upon arrival in the country, report Independence.
If this sounds familiar, that’s because it’s not the first time Thailand has proposed this kind of “tourist tax”. Last January, the country proposed a similar fee but it was never implemented. Again, this past summer, a rumored “sustainability tax” of the same amount was announced, but it never materialized.
Asian Lifestyle reported that if this latest proposed fee is approved, it will go into effect in June.
Related: Best ways to get to Thailand using points and miles
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Thailand’s current entry requirements
There have been some updates to Thailand’s entry requirements. Most notably, as of October 2022, Thailand announced that all international tourists are welcome under the country’s “full reopening to tourism” policy.
After some confusion over vaccination policy this week, the country’s deputy prime minister and public health minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, said that “international visitors to Thailand are not required to present proof of vaccinations. strains.”
However, to avoid paying medical bills for uninsured foreigners with COVID-19 while in the country, Thai authorities said travelers will need to have health insurance if they travel from or to a country that requires a PCR test for entry, such as China or India.
“While Thailand welcomes all visitors, a visitor’s country of origin or next destination country may require incoming visitors, including their own citizens returning home, to undergo testing. PCR was negative,” the Tourism Authority of Thailand said in a statement.
Thailand has also temporarily extended its 30-day visa-waiver rule to 45 days for those arriving before March 31. Those eligible for visas on arrival will be allowed to stay for 30 days instead of 15. day as usual.
