Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced the cancellation of a proposed THB 300 ($8.2) tourist tax for airline passengers following opposition from the private sector.
The June 8 announcement follows a controversial plan for a “Kha Yeap Pan Din” (a fee for entering Thai soil) tourist tax approved by the Cabinet in February last yr. Under the plan, tourists could have to pay 300 baht ($8.2) to reach by air and 150 baht ($4.09) to reach by land or sea.
Srettha said that while the 300 baht per person fee could generate short-term income, it might be higher to permit tourists to enter without the fee so that they could spend more on shopping and other activities. He further stressed that decisions must keep in mind the voices of all stakeholders and that additional revenue could possibly be raised from other tax sources to support tourism. He also noted that his government is targeted on holistic development and emphasized the important thing role of tourism within the country’s income.
Earlier on May 30, Thailand initially decided to not abolish the controversial “Kha Yeap Pan Din” tourist tax. New Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanich said his ministry had accepted the principle of the measure and was reviewing the implementation process.
This fee, proposed for late 2022, was intended to support tourism development, including facilities for disabled people. However, the cancellation of this controversial tourism fee plan shows that the federal government is responding to personal sector feedback and is anxious concerning the need for tourists to have a more positive and attractive experience.
