11-6-2024 (BANGKOK) In a significant policy shift, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced on June 8 that his administration would abandon the previous government’s plan to impose a 300 baht (S$11) tourism fee on foreign visitors arriving by air.
Mr. Srettha clarified that his government is not considering the policy, originally proposed in February 2023, which faced substantial resistance from the private sector. He acknowledged that while a 300 baht fee per tourist could yield short-term financial gains, a more holistic approach suggests that removing the fee could attract more tourists, who in turn would likely spend more on shopping and other activities, thereby providing a more substantial boost to the economy.
The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of considering the opinions of all stakeholders in making such decisions. He noted that if the government could secure additional revenue from alternative tax sources, it would be feasible to allocate funds to support the tourism sector as required.
Addressing concerns about Thailand’s drop to 47th place out of 119 countries in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) tourism and travel development index—a decline of six places since 2019—Mr. Srettha expressed a desire to focus on constructive development rather than attributing blame.
He affirmed the government’s commitment to continuous improvement and underscored the universal recognition of Thailand’s cities and islands as top-tier tourist destinations. “We should concentrate on fostering positive, actionable feedback to drive further development,” he said, dismissing negative criticisms.
In addition to tourism policies, Mr. Srettha discussed advancements in negotiations with Apple regarding a collaboration for the Startup Centre at Chiang Mai University’s Science and Technology Park.
He revealed that they are close to finalising the initial agreement, with the location already secured. He also mentioned that discussions with the university’s president have highlighted the promising potential of this partnership.
Mr. Srettha expressed enthusiasm for extending this collaboration to include an Apple Developer Academy in Thailand. He noted that plans are underway to arrange a visit by Apple executives to finalise the deal by the end of 2025, signalling a promising future for technological and entrepreneurial development in the region.
