Thailand pushes back new visitor rules, adds tourist tax
The ‘electronic travel authorisation’ will be required by Australians who currently enjoy visa-free status.
By Staff Writers, November 7 2024
Thailand is delaying the launch of its controversial new ‘electronic travel authorisation’ which will apply to visitors from almost a hundred countries including Australia.
However, while the ETA will be free, it’s due to be accompanied by the return of the Thai Travel Tax set at 300 baht (AUD$13), pending Cabinet approval in January 2025, with the tax to be paid online before arriving in Thailand.
Thailand’s Tourism Minister, Sorawong Thientong, said “the collection of the tourism fee benefits the tourism industry since the revenue can be used for the development of infrastructure and attractions, along with ensuring tourist safety.”
As for the ETA, which was previously set to be introduced in a ‘pilot phase’ by December 2024 ahead of a full launch by June 2025, that’s now been pushed back to a date unknown.
Once the Thai ETA is launched it will be mandatory for visitors who enjoy visa-free travel to Thailand: an extensive list of almost 100 ‘visa waiver’ countries including Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Canada and the USA, Singapore, China and Hong Kong, along with most European nations.
Similar in concept to the USA’s ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) and the forthcoming European, UK and Japanese equivalents, ETA applications will be submitted online through the government’s official Thai e-Visa website and integrated into the e-Visa application system.
The Thai ETA will be free of charge, although a new ETA application will be required for each visit to Thailand – unlike ETAs from several other countries, which remain valid for multiple entries across several years.
Once approved, ETA holders will be able to use automated passport gates at immigration checkpoints.
Visa-free stays extended
Since July 2024, tourists and business travellers from visa-free countries have been permitted to stay in Thailand for as many as 60 days, up from the previous 30-day limit – with the option to extend this by a further 30 days once they arrive in Thailand.
Thailand has added a new visa for remote workers and digital nomads, as well as people visiting for approved activities such as Muay Thai and Thai cooking classes, for a period of up to five years.
This new Destination Thailand Visa, or DTV, is available for 10,000 Baht (AUD$430) and requires proof of holding no less than 500,000 Baht (AUD $21,530) for the duration of stay.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand notes the DTV extends to the holder’s spouse and dependent children, entitling them to “a five-year stay with multiple entries for cumulative stays not exceeding 180 days, which can be extended for another 180 days.”
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06 Feb 2021
Total posts 59
Possibly the commencement of a scheme to ensure those who travel to Thailand and cause problems with their bogan behavior, or who travel there for "sex tourism," can be, once identified, blocked from ever returning. With badly behaving tourists being an issue in many countries, the days of visa free travel may be coming to an end.
17 May 2017
Total posts 18
Is anyone aware of how this impacts APEC card holders? Does APEC trump this ETA or work with it?
Cathay Pacific - The Marco Polo Club
20 Jun 2013
Total posts 63
I wonder is APEC card holders also need to do this?
21 Jun 2019
Total posts 8
You're probably already pre-cleared when you hold an ABTC, but worth checking prior to travel.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Oct 2013
Total posts 14
Is there a cost for the new Thai ETA?
04 Sep 2012
Total posts 31
Free
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1222
The proliferation of ESTA type permits for previously visa-free countries and regions smells of revenue raising and if an additional arrivals tax by stealth.
22 Sep 2017
Total posts 96
I just wonder how long before one of these schemes gets popped by a cyber attack and spills all of our unnecessarily-collected personal information into the dark web vortex.
07 Mar 2017
Total posts 63
The Indonesian one already has been.
13 Jun 2017
Total posts 2
doesn't seem very "strict" to me! seems a lot easier to pass through the automated gates and better visa duration limits :)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
13 Jan 2018
Total posts 48
Automated entry in exchange for an ETA. I'll take that!
05 Dec 2017
Total posts 15
I mean once the likes of NZ go with one of these atrocious taxes - now almost $100pp except for Aussies - you may as well grab a share. These taxes will never go away and will always increase. And absolute nonsense that it goes to supporting tourism.
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