Another tax increase (small) for tourists in Thailand

Airports ot Thailand (AoT), which manages the country’s major airports has announced a 100 baht increase of airport taxes in Thailand. Not a very good timing a week after the announcement of the establishment of a 500 baht tax for all tourists arriving in the country scheduled for next January.

This tax increase does not apply to the tourists only this time since it will concern international flights as well as domestic flights. So airport taxes will increase from 100 to 200 baht for domestic flights and 700 to 800 baht for international flights. The increase still needs final approval from aviation and transport authorities. It was predictable, if not expected. Several airports such as  Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang in Bangkok, Phuket and Krabi airports have plans to expand to cope with an ever increasing number of passengers.

The problem is that the tax increase adds to the highly controversial 500 bahts tax announced a few days ago and that should apply in January (see our article). Reinforcing the impression among tourists that Thailand want to charge them always more. Although the amounts are reasonable. The 500 THB tax on arrival is justified by the need to cover for the health care bills unpaid by some tourists. Except that it would bring much more money than the amount needed to cover these expenses. So why not use the surplus to finance the development and expansion of airports across the country ?

The tourism industry is extremely worried. The message that is being sent to the travelers who may come to Thailand is not good. Just as the speech which comes more and more often in the mouth of the government: “We want a quality tourism” meaning tourism with people who can afford and spend a lot of money…