Thailand will be imposing a “tourist fee” of 300 baht (or SGD $11.98) for all foreign visitors entering the country, with effect from June later this year.
Travelers entering via the land borders and seaports will be charged 150 baht (or SGD$6), while visitors who do not plan to stay overnight will not be charged the fees.
The move has been confirmed by the Thai cabinet, and will be effective from June onwards, according to The Bangkok Post.
A spokesperson for the government, Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, said that the newly imposed fee will be added to airline tickets.
The fee is part of the Thai government’s efforts to make tourism sustainable.
Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, Phiphat Ratchakiprakarn, said that the money from the newly imposed tourist fee will be used to develop tourist attractions, as well as support visitors who get into accidents, according to The Bangkok Post.
He said that the fee will cover accident insurance for foreigners who can’t pay the costs themselves, adding that they have encountered situations where tourists didn’t have insurance coverage and became their burden to care for.
On the cheaper entry fees for those arriving by land or sea transport, he said that it was because they are more likely to stay in Thailand for a shorter period of time.
The country was one of the most popular tourist destinations before the industry took a huge hit because of the covid pandemic.