Yet another new date for introduction of Thai tax on foreign visitors

The fifth provisional date for the start of the long-delayed 300 baht (US$9) levy on virtually all international arrivals by land, sea and air is June 1 2023. The tourist ministry, announcing the revenue-raising ploy, pointed out that the introduction depended on Cabinet approval and publication in the Royal Gazette before the current government coalition calls a general election due not later than early May.

The proposal, first mooted five years ago, is designed principally to refurbish tourist sites, including the building of public toilets and the repainting dilapidated monuments, with a small proportion left over for what is ingeniously described as “tourist insurance”. This has nothing whatever to do with covering the medical bills of 99.9 percent of uninsured…