Phuket Vice Governor Calls 500 Baht Tourist Levy 'a Fantastic Idea'
By Chutims Sidasathian Tuesday, October 22, 2013
PHUKET: Charging tourists a 500 baht entry fee for Thailand is a ''fantastic idea,'' Phuket Vice Governor Dr Sommai Preechasin said today.
All of the money should be devoted to caring for the health needs of tourists on holidays, she told Phuketwan.
''Phuket needs this system, the sooner the better,'' she said.
Several departments of Thailand's government - including Public Health - have publicly supported the idea of charging arriving tourists 500 baht each as they arrive from January 1.
Dr Sommai said today that the most pressing need on Phuket was for a kind of insurance so that tourists no longer had huge bills to meet if they found trouble on their holiday.
''This idea would work extremely well with people who are injured and have to be flown back to their countries,'' she said.
''More and more people seem to be in this predicament. It would cover the repatriation of people who die in Thailand, too.
''I think it's a great idea and it should be introduced as soon as possible. People going to many countries are required to have insurance.
''This levy could perform the same function. This would help us to meet international health standards for tourists on Phuket.''
The proposal has attracted less support from within the tourism industry where some people say the extra cost could lead visitors to choose alternative destination countries.
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[quote]
''This idea would work extremely well with people who are injured and have to be flown back to their countries,'' she said.
''More and more people seem to be in this predicament.
[/quote]
Perhaps it would be more sensible to tackle the reason why tourists are getting injured (inexperienced on motorbikes, muggings, attacked by jetski or tuk-tuk drivers etc).
Simon
Posted by
Simon Luttrell
on
October 22, 2013 10:41
Does this mean that 100% of all money taken in will go to a new and updated tourist only hospital or EMS service? If so, sounds like an excellent idea. You would be talking about billions of baht going towards tourist safety.
Posted by
rc
on
October 22, 2013 10:51
What fails to be mentioned here, in the sudden desire for the cash grab, is if you take the money, as some form of unspecified 'insurance' then there needs to be a clearly detailed 'benefit' thats applied.
If the 500b is to pay medical expenses does that mean I no longer need accident insurance ?? If I have paid 500b do I automatically get my flights home or medivac paid for from the scheme..
Its great to think of what Thailand can take, how about putting an equal level of enthusiasm in what they feel this scheme offers.
Besides, as I pointed out in the other article, I believe we already pay a 500 (or700) departure tax built into air ticket prices. So now theres an arrival and departure tax ??
Posted by
LivinLOS
on
October 22, 2013 10:59
This is an Fantastic idea.. seriously it even comes to my mind on the first that this is just another scam but think twice, its really not. this is a country overwhelmed by tourists from all over the world.. me myself from sweden and i have a 100% waterproof insurance but there are people from countrys like Uganda.. can u even buy insurance there? i don't know but it wouldnt be my first choise. anyway. we have to beleive that the 500 bath fee wich is what u pay for a lunch in Stockholm is gonna end up supporting issues like what it meant for. and i beleive it will, at least most of them. :) Other places like Cambodia for an example charge u straight 20 US dollar for one month visa in arrival , Thailand doesn't. so if u cant afford 500 bath at the airport u sure not have another insurance and u are purely a risk for Thailand.. stay where u come from.. just one more thing. its NOT a scam.. nor a tuk tuk or jet ski organization ...
Posted by
Frog
on
October 22, 2013 11:50
Simon and Mark are quite correct, this is utterly ridiculous. Just another way of scamming money from visitors. With the very highest level of government leading the way, what hope do we have of stopping the local scams.
If, and I do mean "IF", this really was 100% for health insurance for visitors then it would be a good idea, however, a better idea is mandatory travel insurance for visitors. This, of course, would mean the profits going to their home countries, not Thailand, so I guess it doesnt work.
The Benz dealers across the land must be rubbing their hands with glee.....
Posted by
Amazing Thailand
on
October 22, 2013 12:17
What about expats who live here and have adequate private health insurance. I like to travel, does this mean I have to pay an additional 500 baht to get back into the country every time?
Posted by
Soupdragon
on
October 22, 2013 12:42
I bet he thinks its a great idea - i hear he had ordered his merc already.
Posted by
Ciaran
on
October 22, 2013 12:44
Editor Comment:
if you are talking about the vice governor, she's a woman, Ciaran.
Mh... so the Visa Run is getting more expansive too. And people taking care of their travel insurance have to pay also for the others who don't. Quite unfair and leading to unwanted consequences, like even less insurance cover by tourists. Incentives all the wrong way.
Just make health insurance mandatory for people coming to Thailand and offer some cheap coverage for arriving without for. But that is, if it is really that thing you want to tackle with this levy....
Posted by
Lena
on
October 22, 2013 12:46
Yes,,, They need to let us know what it is going to cover,, E,G, operations ,, flights if needed to return home to own country,, what will it cover,, I think it is a good idea,, only if we know what it will cover,, I hope Phuket Wan can find out and keep us up to date on this one,,
Posted by
Sean
on
October 22, 2013 14:00
Personally I think that this may encourage visitors or expats to think they don't need travel/health insurance, which is extremely foolish! My personal view is that visitors and expats alike should not be allowed to stay unless they can provide evidence of insurance, for the duration of their stay for their own safety and peace of mind, plus of course it would reduce the burden on the already underfunded Thai Benefit System!
Posted by
Richard
on
October 22, 2013 14:27
Good idea with this tax on 500 or 1000 baht per. person. I expect that it will cover the same as a normal travel insurance. (I mean, covers all necessary medical expenses, hospital or other medical treatment, including flown to their home country in case of serious accident or death.)
Posted by
Lars Th.
on
October 22, 2013 15:23
Am I correct that this is charged as a per stay fee and not a per day of the length of your stay? IE not 21 days times 500 Baht?
Posted by
RobinS
on
October 22, 2013 16:27
So you pay 500THB to enter the country, and then pay 500+ THB to get in a taxi driven at excessive speed... after which you may be collecting on the 500THB 'insurance' you paid up just hours before. I think Thailand could be way out of pocket from this scheme ;-)
Posted by
Duncan
on
October 22, 2013 17:04
They have already imposed a 1% city tax on all hotel rooms, given the tens of thousands of rooms on the island it's raking in millions a day. Where does that money go cos I certainly don't see much practical infrstructure improvements. Oh wait, they spent it on the useless Patong City sign and the soon to be Phuket island sign.
And it's misleading, pay THB 500 and you'll be assured of medical care if you hurt yourself in Phuket?! Be careful about making such claims Mdm.
Posted by
May
on
October 22, 2013 17:30
Editor Comment:
The money from the room tax goes to the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation, which is not connected to Patong Council .
500 baht for hospital insurance. Great no problem. How much is skimmed, I don't care as long as I am insured.
Posted by
Tuna
on
October 22, 2013 20:01
simple just charge the 50,000 Thai visitors to UK extra 500 x 18 = 9000 baht each based on approximately 900,000 UK visitors to Thailand to cover NHS fees which are free at present.
My son had dengue in July and we were in Phang Nga costs were local and fair but still had to pay (same rates as Thai) but big shout out to there hospital
Saying these fees are going to cover costs I think are big scam if I knew hospitals were going to benefit would have no problem just think no clarity, never seen nor my girlfriend she has searched in Thai where the Orbortor Tax goes was supposed to be for tourist things and beautifying the area, I dont think new pick up trucks and mercedes beautify the area
Posted by
Michael
on
October 23, 2013 04:49
It is direct way to abuse tourists. People, who don't speak and understand english well would pay 500 bath demanded by immigration, not knowing for what, even if they alredy have insurance. Do remember story about additional fee for early arrival of chinese tourists?
Posted by
Stranger
on
October 24, 2013 10:01
"Charging tourists a 500 baht entry fee for Thailand is a ''fantastic idea,'' Phuket Vice Governor Dr Sommai Preechasin said today."
Sounds like someone is planning on renovating his house - need money, charge farangs.
Instead of building walls that obstruct tourism, TAT should be looking at ways not to lose tourists. Milking the cow will stop eventually, there won't be anyone left except for vodka cows.
Posted by
Steve L.
on
November 7, 2013 15:40
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[quote]
''This idea would work extremely well with people who are injured and have to be flown back to their countries,'' she said.
''More and more people seem to be in this predicament.
[/quote]
Perhaps it would be more sensible to tackle the reason why tourists are getting injured (inexperienced on motorbikes, muggings, attacked by jetski or tuk-tuk drivers etc).
Simon
Posted by Simon Luttrell on October 22, 2013 10:41