Thailand is re-evaluating its proposed foreign tourist entry fee, potentially increasing it beyond the initial 300 baht due to inflation and rising insurance expenses. Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul announced that the fee, which was first suggested in 2020 but never implemented, could be adjusted to ensure comprehensive insurance coverage for tourists at private hospitals. The primary allocation of funds from this fee would go towards tourist insurance, with the remainder aimed at maintaining tourist sites and enhancing infrastructure.
The minister’s comments follow the government’s decision to end the 60-day visa exemptions for travelers from 93 countries, a move long in the planning stages and driven by concerns over illegal activities by foreigners. Surasak emphasized that his ministry is finalizing the fee collection method to minimize any adverse effects on traveler sentiment. Two potential collection methods are being considered: integrating the fee into airline tickets or using the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system, which all foreign visitors are required to complete upon entry.
Airlines have expressed concerns about unequal taxation, as imposing the fee only on foreign passengers could be discriminatory. As a solution, the government may need to collect the fee from all passengers, with Thai citizens eligible for refunds through an application. Alternatively, the TDAC system could be utilized exclusively for foreign visitors. The final fee amount will largely depend on the estimated costs of accident insurance and private hospital treatments, with unpaid medical bills from foreign visitors costing Thai hospitals approximately 2.5 billion baht annually.
Further discussions are planned with the Thai General Insurance Association to determine a suitable insurance premium. Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the Thai Hotels Association, has called for clarity on the types of incidents covered by the insurance fund and the exact allocation for major infrastructure projects. Authorities need to evaluate which incidents involving foreign tourists are burdensome to hospitals and consider coverage for events such as floods or accidents involving unlicensed motorcycle riders.
The government is also working on a timeline for reverting visa allowances to 30-day and 15-day periods, with visa-on-arrival arrangements similar to those expected in 2024. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, leading the national visa policy committee, is tasked with coordinating with foreign ministries to communicate these changes. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is advocating for adjustments in the visa scheme for specific countries, such as India, a major source of tourists, suggesting a 15-day visa exemption. Despite these changes, Surasak believes the shortened visa exemption period should not impact tourist arrivals, as the average stay for most foreign visitors is only nine days. Additionally, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has been asked to revise its 2026 goals and strategy in light of ongoing geopolitical tensions that could affect visitor numbers.