Thailand plans to impose landing tax  

泰国将向游客开征入境税 拟每人交百元人民币

计划明年去泰国迎接新年阳光的游客们可能会发现，他们必须得向泰国政府支付每人500泰铢(约合97.93元人民币)的入境税。泰国政府官员20日表示，将向外国游客征收入境税，新措施最快将在2014年1月1日起实施。 [查看全文]

(ECNS)-- Authorities in Thailand are considering charging every tourist a 500 baht ($16.10) fee upon landing for staying longer than three days.

A tourist who stays less than 3 days in Thailand will pay 30 baht each day.

The tax is expected to be introduced in January.

The government said it is introducing the tax in order to pay for visitors' unpaid medical bills and to attract a better quality of holidaymakers.

Pradit Sintavanarong, Thailand's Public Health minister, said officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Ministry of Public Health and the Royal Thai Police agreed the fee should be introduced, according to a local media report.

"Now is the time for us to have quality tourists," said Pradit, who added that the policy wouldn't block domestic tour agencies in Thailand from organizing tours for foreign tourists to come to the country.

The new measures will help ensure that visitors are unable to outstay their visa. It has been reported that about 100,000 foreigners are currently staying on in the country with expired visas.

The new policy is expected to add $419 million to the government's foreign currency earnings. The money would go toward tourism, health and foreign affairs ministries, and the immigration department.  

In 2012, Thailand welcomed over 22 million tourists worldwide, with growth set to continue in 2013-14.