A policy proposed by Thai authorities in February 2023 to impose a tourist tax of 300 baht (820 yen) is likely to be withdrawn.
Thai Prime Minister Surendra Thavisin said the government would withdraw such a proposal on June 8 after facing opposition from the private sector, VisaGuide.World reported.
On this point, the prime minister said that while charging a 300 baht per person entrance fee may bring in short-term revenue, allowing more tourists to enter the country without paying the entrance fee would encourage them to spend their money on shopping and other activities.
Two-thirds of Thais are dissatisfied with government performance
VisaGuide.World previously reported that from June 2023, foreign visitors planning to travel to the country by air will be required to pay $8.84, while those travelling by land or sea will have to pay 150 baht.
A poll of 1,310 people conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) on June 4 and 5, 2024, showed that two-thirds of respondents were not very satisfied or not satisfied at all with the government’s performance.
The survey found that around 70% of respondents felt they needed to have more faith in the government’s ability to address the country’s problems as they had not seen any significant changes or accurate results.
Various public opinion polls have recognised many Thai cities and islands as world-class tourist destinations. Rather than listening to the discouraging opinions of a few, we should focus on encouraging rational opinions that will lead to further development.
Thai Prime Minister Suretta Thavisin
Sletta also spoke about the progress of discussions with technology giant Apple on cooperation regarding a startup centre at Chiang Mai University Science and Technology Park.
He said the location has already been secured and everything is ready to conclude the first agreement, which resulted in discussions with the rector of Chiang Mai University confirming the possibility of this collaboration.
Thailand was keen to expand the collaboration to include an Apple Developer Academy in Thailand, and the team was arranging a visit from Apple executives to finalise the agreement by the end of 2025.
Tourists, remote workers, students and retirees can now stay in Thailand for longer periods
Last month, Thailand approved visa stay extensions for categories including tourists, remote workers, graduate students and retirees.
The new measures, aimed at boosting tourism, came into effect this month and will allow travellers from 93 countries to stay in Thailand for up to 60 days, up from the current 57 countries whose citizens can stay in the country for two months.
Among other possibilities offered by the measure were the extension of visa validity for digital nomads and remote workers by five years and capping their stay at 180 days, a significant increase from the existing 60-day limit.
