Tourism fee to take effect in months

Minister vows it will start by September

The tourism and sports minister has confirmed that collection of the 300-baht tourism fee will not be delayed beyond September, while the ministry plans to ask provincial police to support the tourism police in its operations to clear out “zero-dollar tours” and illegal tours.

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the fee will not be cancelled, although the collection method of adding it to airfares was criticised by airlines as selective, claiming it violated the International Air Transport Association’s Chicago convention that prioritises equality.

He said the ministry is considering outsourcing to give external organisations responsibility for fee collection for all three methods of entry — air, land and sea — through online applications, websites or kiosks.

Foreign…