BANGKOK: One of the world’s most popular holiday destinations has postponed the introduction of a new tourism levy after a surprise drop of nearly six per cent of visitor numbers during the first half of this year.
Thailand had planned to charge 300 baht (US$9.20) for air arrivals and half that for those getting off boats or coming overland from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia or Malaysia after agreeing measures in 2023 in response to growing disquiet about so-called overtourism.
"We must wait to assess international tourist demand during the upcoming high season in Q4 [fourth quarter] this year," said Chakrapol Tangsutthitham, the assistant tourism minister.
Some observers speculated that hype around "The White Lotus", a TV drama about high-roller guests cavorting at a fictional hotel chain, would drive interest in visiting Thailand, the setting for the latest third series and host to around 35 million tourists last year.
And while analysts at the Bank of Thailand believe that international arrivals will increase to over three per cent in 2026, any such revival would likely still lag behind the five per cent projected expansion across other countries in the region.
The decision to put the levy on ice also came amid tensions between the Thailand and Cambodia militaries which subsequently erupted into rocket and artillery fire along a contested border region, some of which surrounds a Hindu temple popular with visitors to the two majority-Buddhist countries.
The fighting has killed 33 people and displaced tens of thousands from along the frontier.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) pointed out on July 27 that many of the country’s popular spots, such as capital Bangkok and beach resorts in the south, are far from the warzone and "are running as usual."
However, the TAT at the same time warned tourists to steer clear of seven provinces bordering Cambodia, where the imposition of martial law has left attractions such as parks off-limits. Many tourists to the region typically travel by land to Cambodia after flying to Thailand.
A ceasefire has since been brokered by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, following efforts by US President Donald Trump to cajole the two countries into stopping fighting.
But the ceasefire was just hours old when Thailand accused Cambodia of a breach, although Phnom Penh said on July 29 that the truce was holding. - dpa
