BelgianBoy Posted October 18, 2013 Report Share Posted October 18, 2013 http://www.richardbarrow.com/2013/10/a-new-arrival-tax-proposed-for-thailand/ If the Public Health Minister gets his way, there might soon be a kind of “tourist tax†that you will have to pay when you arrive in Thailand on your holiday. The 500 Baht “arrival tax†could probably be seen like the “departure tax†that you used to have to pay before you were allowed to leave the country. I remember making sure I had a 500 Baht note when I flew out of the airport to make sure I could pay this tax. The price of this tax actually went up to 700 Baht AFTER it was added to the cost of your ticket. So, most people didn’t know about it. I hear that they want to put it up again next year. The article in The Nation this morning didn’t really make it clear how this “arrival tax†would work. Would they charge you at Immigration as you entered? But then, what about the people who haven’t exchanged their money to Thai Baht? Maybe they will add this to the airline ticket as well? But, what about the people who arrive by land? Another idea is that the 500 Baht would be paid at the embassies abroad when you buy a visa. But, what about the people who arrive in the country with “visa exemption� If you start charging them, then it is hardly free any more to enter Thailand. The article didn’t actually say what the extra 10 Billion Baht would be used for, but as it was proposed by the Health Minister, it must be about the “no insurance†problem again. A few months back, the Minister of Tourism and Sports told The Nation that unpaid hospital bills by foreign tourists with no insurance is costing the country over 200 Million Baht annually. As a consequence, they have started to discuss the possibility of making it compulsory for all foreign tourists to have insurance before they are allowed to enter Thailand. A figure of 500 Baht was mentioned. As the Health Minister is now talking about this fee, it can be presumed that they are moving ahead with this idea. The final say will come from the cabinet. What do you think? Fair enough? Or should they use some of the billions that they are already making from the tourism business to solve this problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted October 18, 2013 Report Share Posted October 18, 2013 It all depends on the Man in Dubai. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dean Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 If that's true, then I wouldn't expect any help from the person that doubled the amount needed for either a retirement or a marriage visa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 He also increased a visa from 500 baht to 1900 and decided a Farang needed at least 65,000 baht a month to live here. It does sound like he is behind this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mekong Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 What about people who already have private health insurance, Do I produce my insurance card to be exempt from the payment? Again, another "No Thought" policy which will be impossible to manage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waerth Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 What will happen if all foreigners that get sick expect to be treated for free because they paid for the health insurance I can see it now. Have a serious illness? Treatment back home costs to much? Take a plane to Thailand pay 500 baht and get treated for free W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gobbledonk Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 Comes as no real surprise after seeing that '22 million tourists in 12 months' figure posted here a couple of months back. A little ironic in a country where so many seem to dwell in the 'cash economy' and I'm not just talking about working girls. Who chases the thousands upon thousands of stall holders all over Thailand to pay their tax ? Tourists, by contrast, are a much easier target, particularly when many come from countries where they are used to being slugged over 20% VAT. 700 baht is still a pittance to me, and there is absolutely nothing I can do about it, but it would be great to think that the money might actually be pumped back into infrastructure. I know - saying it wont make it so Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radioman Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 There seems to be some disconnect between the 200 million baht needed to cover costs and the 10 billion baht expected income from this. Wonder what "good" the extra will do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sayjann Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 What will happen if all foreigners that get sick expect to be treated for free because they paid for the health insurance I can see it now. Have a serious illness? Treatment back home costs to much? Take a plane to Thailand pay 500 baht and get treated for free W happens in the UK. visitor's come for a holiday and suddenly 'discover' they have a serious illness and are given all the treatment free-of-charge. pregnancy is also a good one,have their baby here and go home with a few new 'rights' and of course some don't even go home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpiceMan Posted October 19, 2013 Report Share Posted October 19, 2013 Sayjann, Any visitor to the UK who visits a doctor (GP) will be required to show their entitlement to treatment to the receptionist. My wife had to do that when she wanted contraceptive pills, although we have private health care any way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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