By Barry Kenyon

[Gaybutton]

300 baht Thai entry tax awaits trouble-free collection system

By Barry Kenyon

October 24, 2024

Thai authorities yet again are resuscitating the attempt to raise revenue by imposing a so-called tourist tax on most foreigners every time they enter the country. Tourism minister Sorawong Thienthong said the long-delayed scheme required six months more planning to introduce an automated payment procedure. The transaction system is being prepared and powered by Krungthai Bank.

Under the latest proposals, the 300 baht tax on arrivals by air could be extended to land borders too. It had previously been assumed that territorial tourists would pay only 150 baht. What has always bedeviled previous attempts to collect the tax has been the failure to find a system which avoided long queues at entry points created by card failures, the need for change (if cash was offered) and arguments between the travelling public and immigration officers.

The government is now working on a comprehensive plan to integrate entry processes with the forthcoming tax by an advance-payment computerized system. Visa-exempt tourists, visa applicants and those with re-entry permits would eventually make the card payment as part of the online Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) promised for next year. Much would depend on how quickly the ETA could handle thousands of computerized applications every day. The scheme is likely be piloted with visa-exempt tourists who receive 60 days on arrival, with other foreign entrants paying the fee via a website or an app.

The vast majority of foreigners will need to pay the tax every time they visit Thailand. The exceptions are infants under two, transits, diplomats and those with authorized Thai work permits. Thus long-stayers, who often don’t view themselves as “tourists”, will be included including retirees and other non-immigrant visa holders, border traders and those with visas such as Destination Thailand Visa, the Privilege or Elite card etc. The position of 10-year Long Term Residence holders and permanent residents is said by officials to be under review.

The idea of the tourist tax is mainly to repair and upgrade tourist sites, but a 10-20 percent contribution will be set aside for death and injury compensation for overseas visitors. The time limit is 30 days and it is currently unclear who exactly is covered and under what circumstances. The scheme has also been promoted, perhaps optimistically, as an answer to overtourism because much of the cash will supposedly be spent on tourist sites well away from hotspots such as Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya. Insurance companies have not yet been selected.

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... tem-477214

[Jun]

Absolutely barking mad. Why create all the complication to raise a mere 300 baht per visitor ?

The proven way to do this is to tax arrivals or departures by air.
The one exception where I had to pay a tax at the airport was in The Philippines, where I think there was a $10 fee payable on exit. If I remember correctly, we had to queue & pay the fee before exiting the country. Not a good way to promote tourism.

Also, in Thailand, we already pay taxes on hotels & for that matter, most other things we buy in Thailand. That ought to be enough.

As for maintaining & upgrading tourist sites, well the farang entry fee is already way above that for Thais.

[Gaybutton]

Why create all the complication to raise a mere 300 baht per visitor ?

Because the buffoons who cause these problems rarely thoroughly think things through before implementing them. Then, when they see it isn't working as they hoped, then comes the knee-jerk "fix it" which all too often results in making things worse.

[Jun]

"The art of taxation consists in so plucking the goose as to obtain the largest possible amount of feathers with the smallest possible amount of hissing".
Jean-Baptiste Colbert 1619–83

[Gaybutton]

Cambodia backtracks on enthusiasm for Six Countries One Destination

By Barry Kenyon

October 28, 2024

The Cambodian tourism ministry has denied reports that the Phnom Penh government has signed-up for the Thai-inspired plans for a single-visa policy to enter six countries. Minister Huot Hak says he is waiting for detailed proposals from Bangkok through diplomatic channels. “That hasn’t happened yet,” said a spokesman.

The obvious worries are that Cambodia could lose some or all of its US$30 per tourist fee currently required for entry and that Thailand would take the lion’s share of any agreement to encourage cross-border travel. Meanwhile Thourn Sinan, spokesperson of the Pacific Asia Travel Association, said the initiative requires all ASEAN countries to join, not just Thailand’s next-door neighbors plus Brunei and Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Cambodia is stepping up its campaign to intensify and diversify its international marketing policy. The country will be represented at the London World Travel mart next month, whilst foreign film makers are being encouraged to make documentaries to show that Cambodia has much more to offer than archaeological ruins. The “low” season is to be renamed the “green” season with international companies being urged to hold MICE (conferences) events.

Ith Vichit, chief officer of the Cambodian Tourism Board, stressed that the country needed more successes to guarantee bonuses from visa-free travel across the region. He pointed out that, unlike Thailand or Malaysia, Cambodian airports did not yet welcome intercontinental jetliners. The initial plan was to increase the number of foreign tourists by 2025 to 6.4 million. Tourism currently contributes US$4 billion or about 12 percent of Cambodia’s GDP. “We need expansion,” concluded Mr Vichit.

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... ion-477686

[Gaybutton]

foreign film makers are being encouraged to make documentaries to show that Cambodia has much more to offer than archaeological ruins.

Having never been to Cambodia, perhaps some of you experienced in Cambodia (ChristianPFC ?) can post. Other than archaeological ruins and a minor gay scene, what does Cambodia have to offer?

[Jun]

I've been to Cambodia 6 times & quite like it.
In addition to the historic sites, there are also some nice islands, nice countryside and some of the towns and cities can be quite pleasant.
In Phnom Penh, the sauna is one of the few places where younger guys are interested in me, without looking for money.
Getting around is quite easy, due to "Pass App", which is far cheaper than "Grab" or "Bolt" in Thailand.

On the downside, the male massage shops now charge something more like Bangkok prices, without anything like the same standard of service.
Finding a boy takes longer than it did 17 years ago, possibly because so many have now gone to work in Pattaya.
The gay bar scene isn't great. Toolbox is the only bar I visited more than once, when there in early 2024. I quite liked that bar about 5 years ago in their previous premises, but this time, the show wasn't as interesting. Boys in jeans, rather than the more risqué range of clothing & high energy dancing of the past.

[Gaybutton]

Bottom line: You are ultimately responsible for obtaining your own medical insurance. In my opinion, anyone who travels to or lives in a foreign country without making sure he has adequate medical insurance is a fool.
_____________________________________________________

Thailand’s medical insurance rules for foreigners are a muddle

By Barry Kenyon

October 31, 2024

Following the failure of an injured Brit to obtain free hospital treatment in Thailand, British insurers are calling for clarity. Jonathon Cobb, 28, was injured when he fell off his motorcycle in Pattaya and broke his arm plus facial injuries. He told Pattaya Mail he was advised to go to a local hospital as the Thai government had granted cost-free treatment to foreigners as long as they held a tourist visa. Cover exists for up to one million baht, or 28,000 pounds, according to specific injuries or (at worst) death on a case-by-case, discretionary basis.

But John was told by hospital administrators as well as by police officers that he was not covered by the government grant and must pay his own bills. The Health Insurance for Non Thais or HINT scheme specifically excludes those who show “negligence, intent, illegal acts or risky behavior”. John’s problem was that he was not wearing a crash helmet, but his parents in UK paid the 300,000 baht or 7,000 pounds final bill. He also had to pay the rental company 30,000 baht or 700 pounds for damage to the bike.

UK-based insurers Worldwide Travelling said the Thai government scheme mainly covers compensation for death or loss of limbs or organs, but the bureaucracy is confusing. A Thai tourist ministry website gives a specific internet address for registration which appears to have been hacked. The actual data base for claims is with the Tourist Police Bureau and the National Institute for Emergency Medicine, although few foreigners are aware. The central medical fund of 50 million baht, in place till the end of 2024, is apparently underspent to date according to the tourist and sports ministry.

More broadly, say Worldwide Travelling, Thailand’s requirements for medical insurance need updating. There is now a visa valid for five years, known as Destination Visa Thailand, which is technically a “tourist” permit but probably does not qualify for free accident cover as it offers an initial stay of 180 days. The 5-20 years Elite or Privilege Visa does not need hospital cover, but the 10-year Long Term Residence visa requires cover of US$50,000, or a Thai bank account showing a US$100,000 bond for an extended period.

Foreign retirees with one type of yearly visa, known as OA, require medical insurance on an ongoing basis, whilst those with the similar O type do not. The difference is that OA is initially awarded by a Thai embassy abroad whereas the O is an annual extension of stay issued by a different agency – the immigration police. Other visas not requiring medical insurance are annual extensions for foreigners married to Thais and permits to study the Thai language. However, foreigners with a Department of Employment work permit must pay a small proportion of their salary to be included in the Thai social security s scheme.

Immigration lawyer Jessataporn Bunnag said, “The government in recent years has introduced a host of different entry choices for tourists and longstay expats to increase treasury income. However there has been little coordination which has led to confusion.” He pointed to a government working party which is currently examining various visas including those specifically catering for retirees. There has been no announcement or news since the establishment of the committee last July.

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... dle-477933

[Jun]

The Health Insurance for Non Thais or HINT scheme specifically excludes those who show “negligence, intent, illegal acts or risky behavior”. John’s problem was that he was not wearing a crash helmet, but his parents in UK paid the 300,000 baht or 7,000 pounds final bill. He also had to pay the rental company 30,000 baht or 700 pounds for damage to the bike.

I reckon any tourist would be mad to expect a Thai government scheme to pay out.

However, travel insurance might also exclude some of those items.
If he's riding a motorcycle without a full UK motorcycle license, the policy is likely to be invalid (although, in some cases, it's OK below 125cc)

I suspect not having a helmet might result in exclusions as well.

Fortunately, £7000 is a sum unlikely to bankrupt a the average westerner. Imagine requiring serious intensive care for several weeks.

[Gaybutton]

I suspect not having a helmet might result in exclusions as well.

Of course. Riding without a helmet is, as you know, illegal in Thailand. If someone is breaking the law, Thai or farang, I don't know what would make him think Thailand would foot the bill in the event of an accident. Did this guy really expect Thailand to cover his medical costs when he was breaking the law? Even if he had his own insurance, I doubt they would cover the cost if he was riding a motorbike without a helmet. That is likely written in to the insurance policy.

In my opinion, Thailand was absolutely right on this one. This man took a foolish chance - and lost.