Maybe they just want to ensure that Thailand remains as pretty as it is now, with few tourists around.

did someone wake up and say, "what a fucking stupid idea for right now"

Tourism operators have raised concerns about the 500 baht fee to be collected from foreign tourists next year, worried that the timeline of this policy may not be appropriate for an industry in dire need of recovery.

.....
"Fee collection will impact decision making as the additional cost is considerably high compared with the average expenditure while travelling in Thailand, such as hotel room per night of just 1,000 baht. If the government really has to move forward, it should not implement this policy in the first half of next year," said Mrs Marisa.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/21 ... 5RffjgGBKk

jaynewcastle wrote: ↑Tue Oct 05, 2021 10:02 pm I wonder what % of people thinking of travelling to Thailand in 2022 would be put off by a 500bt fee, 1% or less perhaps ?

Are tourists put off visiting Cambodia because they have to pay for a visa, no matter how short their visit is ?, I doubt it

Tourists who are probably going to spend 10,000+ Baht a day don't necessarily care about 500 Baht extra. However it's an annoying extra charge and a lot of these little charges together will put off people.
As for Cambodia, if it had a visa waiver program like Thailand I believe they would have had a lot more visitors over the past couple of decades. People like things to be easy.
When they get cheated by officials at borders etc it makes them less likely to spend time and money in a country.
There must have been thousands of tourists over the years who got to the border at Aranyaprathet/ Poipet and after dealing with too much BS rapidly turned around and went back to Thailand.

500Baht is roughly about $15?

Won’t it largely depend on how they go about it? Surcharge levied on tickets and bookings would probably go unnoticed, but if someone sets up a special desk, staffed by a grumpy stuffed uniform, hand outstretched and no manners; Likely to bring some negative sentiment.
Average drunk rich russian probably drops that much just reaching for his vodka.

Service with a smile, or a sneer of contempt…?

Freightdog wrote: ↑Wed Oct 06, 2021 1:31 am 500Baht is roughly about $15?

Won’t it largely depend on how they go about it?

Sure, I was just reminded of the days when you had to fill out an exit charge form when leaving Cambodia that cost $15. It was just an extra petty hassle.

John Bingham wrote: ↑Wed Oct 06, 2021 1:52 am

Freightdog wrote: ↑Wed Oct 06, 2021 1:31 am 500Baht is roughly about $15?

Won’t it largely depend on how they go about it?

Sure, I was just reminded of the days when you had to fill out an exit charge form when leaving Cambodia that cost $15. It was just an extra petty hassle.

That’s the thing- if it feels punitive, and some sort of penalty, it’s likely to get up folks noses.
Thailand used to be a destination in the back pocket if a long weekend came up with not a lot happening. $15 over a two week stay for a annual vacation has the chance to get absorbed. But if it’s more in your face, an exit tax, or some unexpected surcharge, there’s a chance it will affect repeat business.
I can think of a number of places where the obstacles would very seriously affect my decision to return. Cambodia wouldn’t get a second look now, if it weren’t for more tangible ties to the place. International tourism is going to warrant a lot more thought now, than it did pre-COVID, and for quite a while to come.

£700 for a ticket now nearing £900
Travel times before at 18hrs and two flights turning into 3 flights, a quarantine layover, and loads of discomfort, flight cancellations, etc.
PCR test, plus COVID extras, plus, plus, plus….

I’d like to think that the smart places will be the ones that aim to make themselves more appealing, rather than seeing a certain type of traveller as more appealing.

Freightdog wrote:I’d like to think that the smart places will be the ones that aim to make themselves more appealing, rather than seeing a certain type of traveller as more appealing.

The kind of traveller that Thailand is now aiming for values time and convenience above all else. They willingly pay full fare to maximize their time on vacation.

Going through multiple handouts for money shortens vacation time and adds inconvenience.

Unless of course, there is a secret Thai program that does just that. Maybe the announcement is just a smokescreen to ward off those other kinds of travelers (aka us) from visiting Thailand.