Tourism Insurance Fee To Cover All Foreigners Traveling to Thailand

While the implementation has been on hold, the controversial 300 baht “tourism fee” is back in the headlines. The Tourism and Sports Ministry provides additional information on the collection and where these fees go.

Scheduled for implementation in the 1st quarter of 2022, the proposal is delayed due to the increasing number of infected by Covid-19 and a lack of information on how the fees will be collected.

The planned mandatory entry fee will apply to all foreigners “without exception” and required to have insurance with up to THB500,000 per traveler for a 30-day stay in Thailand.  This cost will be included in the airfare.

The Tourism and Sports Ministry claims they are all set and waiting for all land and sea border crossings to be equipped and prepared to collect money.  The new THB300 fee will apply to any foreign visitors entering Thailand by land, air, or sea without exceptions.

All foreign arrivals, including expatriates, holders of work permits or long-term visas, and diplomats, will be compelled to pay the THB300 tourism fee. The ministry spokesperson said that the tourism fee for air travelers will be collected together with their airfare since there’s no easy method for the systems to differentiate visa types.  The arrival charge of THB300 will be collected every time you enter Thailand.

The insurance coverage is up to 500,000 baht and includes riots, terrorism, accidents, and natural disasters.  In the case of death, the coverage will cover cremation or funeral costs up to THB 150,000 and reimbursement of 1 million baht.

The tourism fee will not cover health, hospital, and Covid-19 expenses (so travelers are still advised to get general travel or health insurance to cover such events.).

Due to the fact that the fee only applies to foreign travelers, there are arguments for possible dual pricing in which foreigners pay more for similar services than Thais. The Thai Airlines Association has previously said that the cost must be introduced and briefly explained so that travel agents and foreign governments do not regard the new fee as a factor for tourists traveling to Thailand.

It is anticipated that the Cabinet will approve the proposal next month and will be implemented 90 days after it is published in the Royal Gazette.

SOURCE: Thaiger

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