Thailand scraps proposed tourism fee

Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin poses with Thai
 traditional puppets during a welcome ceremony of the first
 batch of Chinese tourists under a five-month visa-free
entry scheme at Bangkok's International Airport, Thailand

Thailand has scrapped a plan to implement a 300 baht (US$8.20) tourism fee for visitors arriving in the country by air.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced the government's decision to drop the plan during a visit to Chiang Mai on June 8.

"The fee ... was abandoned with the rationale that its elimination could encourage higher tourist spending in other areas, thereby providing a more substantial boost to the economy," Thailand's Government Public Relations Department said on its website on Monday.

Thailand's previous government approved the controversial fee in February 2023, with a spokesperson for the country's Prime Minister's Office saying at the time that collected fees would "be used to manage and develop tourism".

The fee faced opposition from the private sector, however, the Government Public Relations Department said. Thailand has been moving to boost tourism in the country in recent months.

Last month, its government approved longer visa stay periods for tourists, postgraduate students and remote workers, and better visa conditions for retirees.

From this month, travellers from 93 countries will be allowed to stay in the country for periods of 60 days, up from the previous 57 nations, while more will also be eligible for visas on arrival.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand, meanwhile, recently launched a campaign called "Amazing Thailand: Your Stories Never End", which focuses on luxury travel while also highlighting Thailand's cultural and natural attractions and promoting the country as a wellness and adventure destination.

There has also been a push to have the province of Nan recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which Mr Srettha highlighted during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday as he detailed plans to promote tourism in the country's north, the Bangkok Post reported.

In addition to these efforts, the government on Jun 4 approved tax measures to boost domestic tourism.

The measures which cover the low season from May to November include tax deductions for companies organising conventions and seminars.

Other measures were designed to increase domestic travel to secondary cities, with income tax deductions allowed for home stay and non-hotel accommodation expenses.

On Apr 30, Thailand's tourism ministry said that it recorded 11.95 million foreign tourist arrivals between Jan 1 and Apr 28. Foreign tourism generated 575 billion baht in revenue during that period, it added.

Thailand is hoping to welcome a total of about 40 million foreign visitors this year.
* Source: CNA/Reuters/lh(kg)