Thailand will introduce a $9 entry fee for foreign visitors from April, officials said, even as the kingdom seeks to lure travellers back and repair its Covid-battered tourism sector. Thailand visitor fee 

Strict entry rules imposed to curb the pandemic hammered Thailand’s crucial tourism industry last year, contributing to the economy’s worst performance in more than 20 years.

The new 300 baht ($9) charge will be incorporated into airfares, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said in a statement.

Before the pandemic, nearly 40 million visitors a year flocked to Thailand, but the kingdom is hoping to revamp its tourism strategy with a greater focus on sustainability.

“Revenues will be used for foreign tourists’ insurance coverage and infrastructure improvement for sustainable tourism,” Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Yuthasak Supasorn told AFP.

Tourism revenues are forecast at $39 billion to $54 billion this year, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports — around $24 billion dollars of which is expected from foreign travellers.

An estimated five million foreign tourists are expected to enter the kingdom in 2022 if current travel patterns remain the same, according to the ministry’s forecast — down from nearly 40 million a year before the pandemic.

But the tally could rise to 15 million visitors if arrivals from China, India, and neighboring countries improve.

Thailand eased its entry rules towards the end of 2021 as it sought to reboot tourism, but changed the regulations again as cases of the Omicron variant surged worldwide.

Authorities have extended the suspension of a no-quarantine “test and go” scheme until further notice.

But they have also extended the “Sandbox” scheme, adding three southern beach destinations to the island of Phuket.

Under the program, fully vaccinated travellers spend seven nights in the sandbox area and then can move elsewhere in Thailand — assuming they test negative for Covid.

A mandatory quarantine period of 10 to 14 days is applied for those who are not fully jabbed. Thailand visitor fee 

Discover the Best of Thailand’s Mountains & Beaches

Start and end in Bangkok! With the Active Adventure tour Best of Thailand Mountains & Beaches, you have a 15 days tour package taking you through Bangkok, Thailand and 9 other destinations in Thailand. Best of Thailand Mountains & Beaches includes accommodation in a hotel as well as flights, an expert guide, meals, transport and more.

You will be introduced to the kingdom by an amazing and fresh tour. The tour is combined between the discovery of the best of Thailand from Bangkok to Chiang Mai with a number of adventures which include a lovely Lampang city tour by horse drawn carriage, elephant riding, ox carting and rafting at the spectacular Mae Taeng valley in Chiang Mai. You will also visit hill tribe people and hike on Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand.

Enjoy Beach Vacation in Phuket City, on Phuket Island, is the capital of Thailand’s Phuket Province. In the Old Town, Thalang Road is lined with colorful 19th-century shophouses and Sino-Portuguese buildings. Built in 1903 by a wealthy tin merchant, Baan Chinpracha mansion has Italian floor tiles, shuttered windows and antique furniture. Set in a 1930s manor, the Thai Hua Museum has exhibits on Phuket’s culture and history.  Check availability.