Planning to Visit Thailand? You Will Have to Pay an Entry Fee of 300 Baht

Thailand is all set to begin collecting a 300-baht entry fee from foreign tourists from April. The fee is expected to help in the development of local tourist attractions, and also act as an insurance programme for visitors, said government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana in a statement on January 12.

The plan is to include the charge in the price of air tickets.

The new fee is part of a Tourism and Sports Ministry 2022 plan called "Amazing Thailand New Chapter". This includes mapping "white routes" for tourists accordig to green and circular economy  plans for a path to sustainable and safe tourism.

In a bid to revamp its tourism sector, Thailand has been pushing for sustainable tourism with the successful rejuvenation of the famous Maya Bay. The idyllic spot, tucked away among Thailand’s scenic Phi Phi islands, had been opened to visitors from January 1 this year after remaining shut for almost four years. Part of Krabi’s Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, Maya Bay was hardly known beyond the circle of keen nature enthusiasts and divers. It shot to fame following the release of the Leonardo DiCaprio-starrer, The Beach, in 2000, which was shot here. 

Meanwhile, Thailand has suspended its Test & Go quarantine exemption scheme indefinitely. However, those already approved to enter the country under the quarantine exemption scheme can enter under the Test & Go programme over the next few days, uptil January 15. 

However, some more destinations have been added under the Sandbox entry programme, along with Phuket – Krabi, Phang Nga and the trio of islands off the Surat Thani coast (Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao). More about that here.