Thailand to start tourism fee collection by September
Thailand will not delay the tourism fee collection beyond September, and its Tourism and Sports Ministry also plans to ask provincial police to support the tourism police in its operations to clear out "zero-dollar" and illegal tours, an official has confirmed.
Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand will not delay the tourismfee collection beyond September, and its Tourism and Sports Ministryalso plans to ask provincial police to support the tourism police in its operationsto clear out "zero-dollar" and illegal tours, an official has confirmed.
Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said thefee will not be cancelled, although the collection method of adding it toairfares was criticised by airlines as selective, claiming it violates theInternational Air Transport Association's Chicago convention that prioritisesequality.
He said his ministry is considering outsourcing togive external organisations responsibility for fee collection for all threemethods of entry – air, land and sea – through online applications, websites orkiosks.
Foreign arrivals by air are charged 300 THB (8.7USD) while travellers via land and sea must pay 150THB.
A tourism fund is expected to be established byusing 60 - 70% of the fees, helping to develop tourism destinations and newinfrastructure.
Facing mounting concerns over zero-dollar tours,he said the ministry will seek support from provincial police, which have morethan 200,000 officers nationwide, to help 2,000 tourist police officers crackdown on these illegal businesses./.
Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has earned about 1 million baht (29,000 USD) a day in entry fees, charged to tourists for visiting Phi-Phi islands, since the e-ticket system was introduced last July.
The Airlines Association of Thailand (AAT) is calling on the Government to cut down the fuel tax and operational fees at airports amid concerns over a potential increase in oil prices, saying the lower cost burden will eventually help to reduce airfares.
The Office of the Cane and Sugar Board (OCSB) of Thailand estimated the sugar cane output for the 2022 - 2023 crop year increased just 1.9% to 93.8 million tonnes, lower than forecast due to drought and more farmers switching to cassava cultivation.
The Ministry of Commerce (MOC) of Thailand has pledged to take measures to drive the government's soft power development policy with a focus on promoting Thai cultural products worldwide through a "5F" approach, referring to food, film, fashion, fighting and festivals, local media reported.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) on April 19 estimated that Songkran celebrations have seen about 18.5 billion THB (537 million USD) in spending by revellers across the country.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
The new halal cooperation arrangement will streamline halal certification and product assurance processes, making it easier for New Zealand exporters to access the Indonesian market.
Tourists in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
