Cabinet endorses B300 visitor fee to improve standards

The cabinet yesterday approved the collection of a 300-baht tourism fee from foreigners visiting Thailand by air, along with a 150-baht fee for visitors by land or sea, expected to start in June this year.

Foreigners visiting Thailand on day trips that do not include an overnight stay are exempted from the fee.

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the fees would mainly be used to cover expenses to take care of tourists.

According to Mr Phiphat, the government spent 300-400 million baht per year between 2017-2019 to compensate the Public Health Ministry for foreign tourists who received medical services in the country’s public hospitals before returning to their home countries without settling their bills.

The fee collection is expected to take effect within…