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Thai Tourist Tax is Back Under New Government

Tourism Minister Sorawong Thientong has announced plans to revive the 300-baht Thai tourist tax on all incoming tourists to Thailand after it was shelved during the previous administration led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. When the rule goes into effect, all tourists, whether entering Thailand by air, sea, or land, will be subject to a tourism fee upon arrival.

About Thailand’s Tourist Tax

This tourist tax scheme has been in discussion for several years as a way to both improve the economy and counter over-tourism in Thailand. It had even been approved by the Thai Cabinet in 2022 but has not been endorsed via publication in the Royal Gazette due to backlash from the private sector.

However, Mr. Sorawong is looking to change this as he states, “I believe 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.”

Though Mr. Sorawong is pushing for the implementation of the Thai tourist tax scheme, he has also expressed that more time is needed to study the readiness of the system and for the ministry to finalize the collection procedure in a way that will not discourage tourism sentiment. But once these concerns have been settled and the Thai tourist tax scheme is endorsed via publication in the Royal Gazette, tourists will be subjected to the following taxes:

• 300 THB (arrival by air)
• 150 THB (arrival by sea and land)

To answer questions as to whether these numbers are too high and if they will dissuade tourists from visiting Thailand altogether, Vice-President of the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), Surawat Akaraworamat, stepped in to point out that the tourist tax is indeed a reasonable sum. Compared to some countries such as Bhutan, which charges tourists over $100 per night, the tourist tax in Thailand is significantly lower.

How The Tourist Tax Revenue Will Be Used

Mr. Sorawong has pledged to stimulate tourism revenue to reach at least 3 trillion THB by the end of 2024 from both domestic and international markets, with the aid of several events such as marathons, Loy Krathong, and the New Year countdown. The revenue earned from the tourist tax will be used to support:

• Infrastructure Development: This includes transportation networks, public amenities, and attractions.
• Second-Tier Cities Development: This includes developing “second-tier” cities into popular destinations so they can handle more tourists, allowing over-visited destinations to recover while introducing tourists to other regions of the country.
• Tourist Safety : Proposed measures include better emergency services and security infrastructure at key tourist locations.

Reasons Behind Thailand’s Tourist Tax

As mentioned before, one of the purposes of the Thai tourist tax is to counter over-tourism by driving tourists to other regions of the country and allowing over-visited destinations to recover.

Previously, before the COVID-19 pandemic and when travel requirements were low, Thailand had closed several popular beaches for extended periods of time to prevent permanent damage to the ecosystems. Cities such as Phuket have also experienced high traffic congestion and water shortages due to over-tourism. 

Now that the pandemic has passed and the government has introduced the DTV Visa Thailand and added more countries to the Visa-Exemption Scheme , Thailand is again experiencing an influx of tourists. By implementing the Thai tourist tax, Thailand hopes to resolve all these issues and grant incoming tourists more opportunities to explore and experience all the country has to offer, all the while increasing business opportunities for locals and improving the economy.

Who will be affected by the Thai tourist tax?

Further details have yet to be shared as to who exactly will be affected by the tourist tax. However, it is speculated that those arriving in Thailand with a Thailand Tourist Visa or entering through the Visa Exemption Scheme or Visa on Arrival program will be subjected to paying the fee, while residents and long-term Thai visa holders will be exempted. 

With that being said, there has been no clear date as to when the tourist tax will come into effect, as the ministry is still mulling the details and gathering feedback from stakeholders. The government is reportedly considering beginning the collection in the final quarter of 2024 at the earliest or waiting until 2025.

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Follow our news, recent searches, visitors to thailand to pay tourist fee of up to us$9, advertisement.

International travellers who arrive in Thailand by air will be charged a tourism fee of 300 baht per person and 150 baht if they arrive by land or sea. 

Tourists take photos on the beach at Maya Bay in Krabi province, southern Thailand. (Photo: CNA/Pichayada Promchertchoo)

Pichayada Promchertchoo

BANGKOK: Thailand’s Cabinet has approved a proposal by the National Tourism Policy Committee to charge a tourism fee of 300 baht (US$8.80) per person from international travellers who arrive in the country by air.

For travellers who arrive by land or sea, the fee is 150 baht per person, said the  deputy spokesperson to the Prime Minister's Office Traisulee Traisoranakul after a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday (Feb 14). 

“The collected fee will be used to manage and develop tourism, which includes insurance for international tourists during their stay in Thailand,” said Ms Traisulee. 

Travellers will be exempted from the tourism fee if they hold a diplomatic or official passport, or a work permit. Transit passengers and children aged two and below will also be excluded.

The Cabinet has also instructed the Immigration Bureau to review the visa rules, regulations and conditions as well as related immigration laws, in view of the new requirement to impose the tourism fee. 

The changes should include  proof of payment for the fee as part of the immigration process. 

Citing a study by Thailand's ministry of tourism and sports, Ms Traisulee said Thailand is the first country in the world to collect a tourism fee and at the same time provide welfare benefits for tourists, including a personal accident insurance protection.

She added that the money collected from  the tourism fee will help reduce financial burdens on the Thai government, which spends about 300 million to 400 million baht per year in providing healthcare for tourists. 

Other expenditures incurred by the government include  the preservation of  tourist attractions, the environment and natural resources that have been affected by tourism activities.

The tourism fee will come into effect no sooner than 90 days after it has been announced in the Royal Gazette.

Thailand’s tourism industry, which is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, registered only about 430,000 tourist arrivals in 2021. 

More than 11 million international tourist arrivals were recorded between January and December last year, after Thailand gradually lifted its COVID-related travel restrictions from 2021.

Earlier this month, Thai Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha expressed confidence that the country will welcome more than 30 million international tourists this year, following  China's border reopening.

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clock This article was published more than  1 year ago

Thailand is adding a tourism tax on foreign visitors

Starting in June, visitors can expect to pay a small tax to enter the country

A trip to Thailand is about to get a little more expensive. Starting June 1, the country will impose a tourism tax on international visitors, the government approved Tuesday.

Those who arrive by air will be taxed 300 baht (roughly $9, which will be added into airfare) and those by land or water transportation will be charged 150 baht ($4). The year-round tax will only apply to those staying overnight in the country, children under 2 or those traveling on diplomatic passport s or work permits.

What to know about traveling to Asia

The tax, which was proposed by the National Tourism Policy Committee and has been under consideration since before the pandemic, has been criticized by the local tourism industry, the Bangkok Post reported.

Government officials say it will help offset medical costs tourists accrue at public hospitals, which totaled between $8 million and $11 million from 2017 and 2019, the tourism and sports minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn told reporters on Tuesday. It will also support domestic tourism development. This year alone, the tax could generate more than $115 million.

Marijuana is now legal in Thailand. What does that mean for tourists?

Beyond the upcoming tourism tax, there are no restrictions for U.S. leisure travelers to enter Thailand, other than having a passport with at least six months of validity from your arrival. Americans don’t need a visa for stays fewer than 45 days , but Thai immigration officials or airline staff may require proof of an onward or return ticket. All coronavirus restrictions have been lifted .

Tourism in Thailand is seeing a major rebound, which is resulting in the country increasing the number of immigration counters and taxis at Bangkok’s airport to keep up with the recent surge. Thailand’s tourism authorities expect to welcome 25 million visitors in 2023.

Since Thailand reopened for tourism, Angela Hughes, owner of Trips & Ships Luxury Travel , has had significant interest from clients to visit. But as tourism numbers climb, she’s concerned for the return of overtourism to country’s most popular travel destinations, namely its beaches.

Overtourism has been an ongoing issue for Thailand. The country had to close destinations such as Koh Tachai and Maya Bay (made famous by the 2000 movie “The Beach”) to rehabilitate them from tourism damage.

Hughes recalls scenes of Ko Phi Phi Don island choked with thousands of tourists before the pandemic and is now encouraging clients to explore beyond the beach. “I’m shifting people north to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai,” Hughes says.

Jason Martin, U.S. branch director for InsideAsia Tours , says his company is also sending travelers north and avoiding places like Pattaya , the beach city on Thailand’s eastern gulf coast known for its nightlife, which he says has been destroyed by overtourism. But clients are showing interest outside of Thailand’s “beaches and beer” culture on their own, too, requesting vacations that dive deeper into the country.

Thailand will join other popular travel destinations implementing visitor entrance fees. Europe is planning to launch its European Travel Information and Authorisation System (or ETIAS) in November, which will require a 7 euro fee for visitors 18 to 70 years old. Venice has postponed a new tourist entry fee but it’s expected to launch this year. Bhutan reopened last year and now requires a $200 daily visa fee.

A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Americans can stay in Thailand without a visa for 30 days. It's 45 days. The article has been corrected.

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Thailand’s 300-Baht Tourism Tax to Increase Travel Costs in 2024

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Thailand is planning to reintroduce the 300-baht tourism tax, a move aimed at driving up tourism revenue, with a goal of reaching 3 trillion baht by the end of the year. The tax, previously postponed, is expected to develop infrastructure and improve safety for tourists.

Tourism Tax Reintroduction Plans

Tourism Minister Sorawong Thienthong recently announced that Thailand will reintroduce the 300 baht (US$8.20) tourism fee , which the previous government under Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin had put on hold.

According to the minister, the tourism tax will play a crucial role in enhancing the country’s infrastructure and attractions, as well as ensuring the safety of international visitors.

The cabinet approved the tax in 2022, but foreign tourists still haven’t paid it. Visitors arriving by air will pay 300 baht, while those arriving by sea or land will pay 150 baht. However, the finalization of the collection process is still in progress, with the ministry needing more time to ensure that the new system is ready for implementation.

Timing of Collection Remains Uncertain

Although the tourism ministry had hoped to begin collecting the fee by the final quarter of this year, Minister Sorawong emphasized that the timeline is still uncertain.

The goal is to introduce the fee without disrupting tourism sentiment, ensuring that the new system will not negatively affect travelers.

Must Read: Discover 25 Countries Where Tourists Must Pay Extra Fees and Taxes

Stimulus Programs to Be Reintroduced

In addition to the tourism tax, the Thai government is also considering reinstating successful pandemic-era stimulus programs, such as the “We Travel Together” scheme.

This initiative, which offers co-payment options for hotel stays and flights, was highly effective in supporting local economies during the pandemic.

Tackling Illegal Tourism Practices

The minister also addressed concerns regarding illegal tour operators. Despite the stable number of illegal companies, authorities anticipate greater financial losses from their operations. The government is working on measures to clamp down on illegal tour activities.

Visa Reforms to Boost Tourism

Thailand has introduced visa reforms, including extended stays and expanded visa-free entry, to boost tourism and attract more visitors.

1. Extended Visa Stays: Thailand now offers longer visa durations for tourists, students, remote workers, and retirees, making it easier to explore the country’s hidden gems.

2. Visa-Free Stay for Indians: From June 1, 2024, Indian passport holders can enjoy a 60-day visa-free stay in Thailand, effective until November 11, 2024, to encourage more travel.

3. Expanded Visa on Arrival: More countries are now eligible for visas-on-arrival , allowing stays of up to 60 days. This change enables visitors from 93 countries to fully experience Thailand’s diverse attractions.

What is the Tourism Tax?

The government initially announced the tourism tax in 2022, charging international visitors a fee. This tax aims to generate funds to reinvest in improving infrastructure, enhancing tourist attractions, and ensuring traveler safety. The previous administration postponed it, but the government is now reconsidering it to stimulate the economy through tourism.

History of the Tourism Tax

The idea of a tourism tax in Thailand has been discussed for several years. The government first proposed the tax in 2022, but its implementation was delayed due to various factors. The current administration is now seeking to revive the initiative as part of its economic recovery plans.

When Will the Tourism Tax Be Implemented?

The reintroduction of the tourism tax is still under review, and the timeline remains unclear. The tourism ministry is working on finalizing the details of the collection process to ensure it does not affect the positive sentiment among travelers.

By balancing the reintroduction of the tourism tax with other successful stimulus programs, Thailand hopes to boost its tourism revenue while continuing to provide an excellent experience for both domestic and international travelers.

Follow and connect with us on  Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , Instagram and Google News for the latest travel news and updates!

Manish Khandelwal

Manish Khandelwal, a travel-tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in the travel industry. Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Travelobiz.com, he's passionate about writing.

Trending now

Minister aims to levy 300-baht tourism tax

PUBLISHED : 17 Sep 2024 at 05:57

NEWSPAPER SECTION: Business

WRITER: Molpasorn Shoowong

The new tourism minister aims to start collecting the 300-baht tourism tax after it was shelved during the previous administration led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, while pledging to stimulate tourism revenue to reach at least 3 trillion baht this year.

"I believe 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," said Tourism Minister Sorawong Thienthong, who took office on Monday.

The tourism fee scheme was approved by the cabinet in 2022, but has not been endorsed via publication in the Royal Gazette since that time.

Foreign arrivals by air must pay 300 baht, while the rate for those arriving by sea and land is 150 baht.

Mr Sorawong said since he still needs more time to study the readiness of the system, the ministry could not decide whether to start collection within the final quarter.

The ministry will look into the details and finalise the collection procedure in a way that does not discourage tourism sentiment.

Mr Sorawong took office on Monday.

Mr Sorawong, who is also secretary-general of the Pheu Thai Party, is the third person to have assumed the post of tourism minister within the one-year existence of the Pheu Thai-led administation.

The Ignite Tourism Thailand policy initiated by Mr Srettha should be continued, including aspects such as entertainment complexes, the aviation hub and second-tier cities, he said.

"As the government has pledged to support new man-made attractions and to boost second-tier cities, we will encourage the private sector to invest more by offering incentives, such as tax incentives," said Mr Sorawong.

The ministry would consider tourism stimulus programmes that greatly benefited domestic tourism during the pandemic, such as the We Travel Together co-payment scheme for hotel rooms and air tickets, as this project could directly distribute income to locals.

For the upcoming high season, he estimated that several events such as marathons, Loy Krathong and the New Year countdown would help accelerate revenue to reach 3 trillion baht from both domestic and international markets.

Meanwhile, as the government previously set a long-term target to achieve 3 trillion baht from foreign markets alone within its four-year term, he said the ministry under his administration would also be committed to achieving this goal.

As the government has initiated the idea to bid for a Formula One motor racing event and might choose a newly-built circuit to host it, he said he supports this policy but would like to suggest a street circuit on Ratchadamnoen Road, which would be more useful for the economy as it could depict the uniqueness of the country.

Given the spread of price-dumping tours in Thailand, he said the number of illegal companies might not have grown, but the value of losses are expected to be greater than in the past.

The ministry has already ordered related authorities to curb such illegal activities.

On Wednesday the minister will meet 20 private tourism operators, including the Association of Thai Travel Agents and the Tourism Council of Thailand, to discuss tourism policies.

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Vat, Tax Refund

Downtown vat refund is now available for tourists who depart thai.

• Those who are not Thai nationality  
• Those who have not a domicile in Thailand. 
• Those who are not an airline crew member departing Thailand on duty. 
• Depart Thailand from an international airport. 
• Purchase goods from stores displaying a "VAT REFUND FOR TOURISTS" sign. 
• Present the goods and VAT Refund Application for Tourist Form (P.P.10) and original tax invoices to the Customs officer before check-in at the airline counter on the departure date.
• Goods must be purchased from stores displaying the "VAT REFUND FOR TOURISTS" sign.
• Goods must take out of Thailand with the traveler within 60 days from the date of purchase.
• Goods must be purchased at least 2,000 baht (VAT included) per day per store.
• On the purchasing date, tourists must present passport and ask the sales assistant to issue the VAT Refund Application for Tourists form (P.P.10) with the original tax invoices. 
• Tourists must present the goods and VAT Refund Application for Tourists form (P.P.10) with original tax invoices to a Customs officer for inspection before check-in. 
• In case of luxury goods (jewelry, gold, ornaments, watches, glasses, and pens of which the value is over 10,000 baht), the tourist is required to hand carry and show the goods again at the VAT Refund for Tourists
• Office, after passing the immigration checkpoint.  Tourists can claim a VAT refund at the VAT Refund for Tourists Counter at an international airport, or drop the documents into the box in front of the VAT Refund for Tourists office, or mail the documents  to the Revenue Department of Thailand. 

For refund amount not exceeding 30,000 baht, the refund payment can be made in the form a  1.1 Cash (Thai baht only) or  1.2 Bank draft in four currencies: US$, EURO, STERLING, YEN or  1.3 Transfer into Credit card account (VISA, MASTERCARD, and JCB)  2. For refund amount exceeding 30,000 baht, the refund payment can be made in the form of bank draft or transfer into a credit card account (as detailed in 1.2 and 1.3)  The expense consist of draft or transfer fee, and postal fee which are charged by banks and post office and they will be deducted from the refund amount.  Below tables are shown the approximately rate of the expenses.

*The postal fee depends upon distances and weights of the letter

• A claimant carries a diplomatic passport and/or resides in Thailand.
• A claimant is an airline crew member that is on duty when departs Thailand.
• A claimant did not depart Thailand from an international airport.  A claimant did not carry the goods out of Thailand on the departure date.
• Goods were not taken out of Thailand within 60 days from the date of purchase. The purchase date is counted as the first day.  Goods were taken out of Thailand without inspected by a Customs officer.
• Luxury goods were taken out of Thailand without inspected by a Revenue officer.
• The total value of purchase is less than 2,000 baht per day per store.
• The VAT Refund Application for Tourist form (P.P. 10) was not issued on the date of purchase.
• The name or passport number on the original tax invoices that are enclosed to the VAT Refund Application for Tourist form (P.P. 10) is not a claimant.
• The original tax invoices were not enclosed to the VAT Refund Application for Tourist form ( P.P. 10).
• Goods were not purchased from the shops participating in the VAT refund for tourists scheme.
• The tax invoices were not issued from a store that mentioned on the form.   

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Thailand Introduces New Tourist Tax for International Travelers

International visitors to Bangkok will soon be required to pay a tourist tax. Photo: Tukkaton/Shutterstock.com.

All inbound international travelers into Thailand will soon be required to pay a new tourist tax of 300 THB (about $10 USD).

The tax was announced this week and will officially go into effect once it is published in the country’s Royal Gazette, the public journal and newspaper of record for Thailand.

The plan is that the tax will mostly help cover the management of local tourist destinations, with a small part of it earmarked to help cover medical costs from international visitors who are unable to pay their hospital bills. The money earmarked for medical costs won’t replace travel insurance, however.

The tax is smaller or about the same than a lot of other tourist taxes that have been announced in the past few years—the Mexican state of Baja California Sur announced its own tax in 2019 at $18.50 USD while New Zealand started its own $24.40 USD tourist tax the same year and Amsterdam imposed a $9 USD day tripper tax for cruise guests also in 2019 .

Thailand had long sought to impose a tourist tax for international visitors but plans were put on hold as the destination was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, going from 40 million tourists in 2019 to 6.5 million in 2020.

If Thailand welcomes the same number of guests in 2021 that it did in 2020, it would amount to about $65 million USD in revenue for the destination.

For now, Thailand is open but is requiring a 14-day mandatory quarantine with three COVID-19 tests during those two weeks. The country has been experiencing a rise in COVID-19 cases, with daily active cases hitting a high of 5,048 on Jan. 7, but has less harshly hit when compared to other destinations—Thailand has only seven deaths total related to COVID-19, according to Worldometers.

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Thai Tourist Tax Coming Back Under New Government

In the third announcement about the Thai tourism fee this year so far, the new Thai government has reversed course again and will soon implement a tax on all visitors to Thailand. The previous government under Srettha Thavisin mulled a similar fee earlier in 2024 but shelved the idea after backlash from the private sector. 

Recently appointed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s new Tourism Minister, Sorawong Thienthong, however, wasted little time reintroducing the plan after he took office on September 16th.

The tourism fee scheme was approved by the cabinet in 2022 but has not been made official via publication in the Royal Gazette. Under the scheme, visitors entering Thailand will be required to pay a 300-baht tourism tax if they arrive by air, and a 150-baht fee if they arrive by land or sea.

A Familiar Solution to an Ongoing Tourism Problem

Levying a fee on all visitors to Thailand is not a new idea, and was the norm not that many years ago. The fee was scrapped but later reintroduced following the COVID-19 pandemic. As tourism in Thailand began its resurgence, overtourism became a problem.

Thailand did not have the resources to sustainably maintain the influx of tourists, and long airport wait times, environmental damage to tourist attractions, dwindling water supply, and more problems became worse due to over-tourism.

Why Levy a Tourist Fee in Thailand?

The tourist tax was and is intended to provide more resources to the tourism authority to increase capacity and promote “second-tier” cities. These are under-visited destinations in Thailand that could take the load off of the most famous and overcrowded cities such as Phuket and Bangkok.

Speaking on his reasoning for restarting the planned fee scheme, Tourism Minister Sorawong explained, “I believe 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.”

Opponents of the tourist tax scheme, who are mostly business representatives, warn that the fee could discourage visitors from coming to Thailand, or at least reduce spending once they are here. 

Regardless, Mr. Sorawong has vowed to move ahead with the plan but also stated that the government would assist the private sector with developing second-tier cities and human-made attractions by offering tax incentives.

How the New Thai Tourism Fee Will Work

The plan has changed little since its introduction in 2021. Travelers visiting Thailand will be required to pay 300 baht upon arrival at every international airport. Those arriving by land or sea, however, will only need to pay 150 baht.

The details are yet to be finalized by Thailand’s tourism authority, but it is likely that anyone arriving with a new Thai Tourist Visa , or entering under the visa-exemption or visa on arrival scheme will be required to pay the fee. Residents and those with long-term Thai visas will not be required to pay.

When Will the Thai Tourist Tax Be Implemented?

Minister Sorawong stated that since he still needs more time to study the readiness of the system, the ministry has not yet made a decision on whether to start collection in the final quarter of 2024 or wait until 2025.

He also noted that the ministry needs to look into the details and adjust the collection procedure if needed so that it does not discourage tourism or create a negative sentiment. In the coming months, the Tourism Minister will also be meeting with private sector representatives from the tourism industry to discuss policies, including the tourism tax.

Category : Thailand Visa

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Thailand “Tourist Tax” Will Take Effect In 2023

Tourists entering Thailand by flight will be required to pay a fee of 300 baht upon arrival starting next year. The so-called “tourist tax” was supposed to be implemented this year, but its implementation was postponed to help the country’s tourism sector recover from the pandemic.

According to Minister of Tourism, Phiphat Ratchakitprann, the tourist tax will be implemented starting next year. 

Tourists entering Thailand by plane must pay the fee upon their arrival regardless of their visa status. The ministry said that foreigners who will stay in Thailand for less than 24 hours are not required to pay the said fee.

Citizens and holders of Thai passports will be free from such charges. Foreigners with employment permits, foreign diplomats, and infants under two years old are also excluded from the tourist tax but this information needs to be verified by the Ministry of Tourism.

The Ministry of Tourism remains undecided whether the fee will also apply to foreigners entering Thailand by sea and land or whether the fee will decrease for sea and land arrivals.

It still remains unclear how the government will collect “tourist tax”. According to the Ministry of Tourism, the collected tax will be used to fund the development of tourist sites in the country. However, the ministry also mentioned that the tax will also serve as accident insurance for visitors who run into problems during their stay in Thailand; however, specifics on the accident coverage or insurance policy have not yet been disclosed.

The tourism tax plan has been in the works since 2020, but the idea has been faced with opposition from some groups, which is one of the contributing factors to its implementation delays.

The Hatyai Songkhla Hotels Association criticized the government-imposed tourism fee on Saturday. Sitthiphong Sitthiphatprapha, president of the association, said that the tax would bring additional cost and hassle for tourists, especially if it is imposed on those entering the Kingdom through the land border.

The association is also concerned that tourists entering southern Thailand by rail, bus, or car may only plan to stay in the country for a few days and discourage them to stay longer.

The Ministry of Tourism clarified that the implementation of tourism tax is studied and only affects foreigners arriving in Thailand via plane. SOURCE: CH3

Stay in Thailand with your family for 5 years or up to 20 years with Thailand Elite Visa.  For more information CLICK HERE .

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Five categories of people who are exempt from paying tourist tax

          Thailand is preparing to collect the “tourism tax” from foreigners who will travel to Thailand, which will start on 1 June 2023 onwards, but not all foreigners will be charged for entering. There are exemptions for certain groups of people who do not have to pay the fee.

• Thai passport holders;
• Foreigners holding diplomatic passports (Diplomat), and official (Official passports);
• Foreigners with a work permit must enter the number of the work permit;
• Foreign infants under 2 years old are exempt, and the parents must enter the date/ month/ year of birth;
• Other details are as specified by the Ministry of Tourism.

          The fee will be collected first, and after identification and verification of documents, it will be refunded later.

Ref : https://www.thebangkokinsight.com/news/business/1025818/

https://www.prachachat.net/tourism/news-920604

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Thailand Will Start Charging Tourists in 2023 & Here's Who Will Have To Pay

There's a dark reason behind it.

Wat Pho temple in Bangkok, Thailand. Right: A tourist in Thailand.

If you have plans to head to Asia this year and Thailand is on your list, keep in mind you may be required to pay a tourist tax when travelling there.

Thailand has announced a tourist tax for visitors entering the country starting later in 2023 and the reasoning for it is to partially deal with the travellers who have accidents during their stay.

The new tourist tax will go into effect on June 1 after it was approved on February 14, Bloomberg reports.

The outlet notes the fee is being imposed at a time when Thailand is seeing an increase in tourists and adds that foreign tourist arrivals "may reach as high as 30 million" in 2023, triple the amount the country saw last year.

Here's what you need to know about the new fee.

• How much is the tourist fee in Thailand?

According to Nikkei Asia , foreign visitors will be required to pay 300 baht (US $8.84) if they're arriving by air and those coming into the country by land or boat will have to pay 150 baht (US $4.42).

The fee will be collected upon arrival in the country.

This new fee is separate from the one travellers pay upon leaving the country. The exit fee has been around for decades.

The international departure tax is typically included in the price of the airline ticket, as stated on the Suvarnabhumi Airport website.

• Who will have to pay the tourist fee in Thailand?

There are several exemptions for the new tourist fee.

Day travellers, transit passengers and children under the age of two will not have to pay the 300 baht entry fee.

People who have a work permit or who have diplomatic and official passports will also be exempted.

• When will the tourist fee go into effect in Thailand?

The tourist fee will go into effect on June 1, 2023.

• Why is Thailand charging a tourist fee?

According to the country's tourism minister, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the money collected through the new tax will go towards assisting tourists who have been involved in accidents and for developing tourist attractions, as reported by the Independent.

Nikkei Asia reports the funds will also go toward "repatriating the remains of foreign travellers" who died while visiting the country.

It's hard to determine the exact number of tourists that die in the country per year.

In 2016, the Bangkok Post reported the country saw a 54% jump in the number of foreign tourists who died in the country the previous year (2015). It's unknown if and by how much those numbers changed during the pandemic, although dozens of deaths are reported each year.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.

• The UK Will Start Charging Visitors In 2023 & You Have To Pay If You're From These Countries ›
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Planning A Trip To Thailand? You Will Now Have To Pay A Tourism Tax!

Updated Sep 21, 2024, 17:00 IST

Planning A Trip To Thailand? You Will Now Have To Pay A Tourism Tax! (Image: iStock)

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Thailand is planning to collect a tourist tax starting June 1, 2023.

     Thailand is considering collecting a "tourist tax" on foreign visitors beginning on June 24, 2023, at a rate of 300 baht.

• 5 most popular shopping malls in Bangkok, Thailand
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     The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has announced that beginning April 1, the government will charge a fee of 300 baht per foreign tourist to help restore tourism and insure tourists. On January 24, the Minister of Tourism and Sports stated that the National Tourism Policy Committee will discuss collecting entry fees (tourist tax) from foreign tourists. The rate of 300 baht per person is the same whether entering the country via land, sea, or air.

     This tax will be collected on visitors entering Thailand. This fee is waived for foreign nationals who enter Thailand using a border pass or border crossing letter; local government officials at the border, as well as those who do not have passports but have a letter of permission to work in Thailand, are exempt.

     It will then propose to the Ministry, which will be considered in February, that it keeps to the schedule that it will try to implement beginning on June 1. Another group under consideration is foreign tourists who take ferries.

====================

Lanzarote and Tenerife £116 charge for UK tourists backfires with Brits 'willing to pay it'

Hotel stays in the Canary Islands saw a significant rise of 5.7% in August compared to the same month last year

• 09:55, 28 SEP 2024

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Spanish locals have been warned their protests and demonstrations across the European Union holiday hotspot are backfiring. Hotel stays in the Canary Islands saw a significant rise of 5.7% in August compared to the same month last year.

It totalled 6,903,674 overnight stays and marked the twelfth consecutive month of growth, according to data released by the National Statistics Institute (INE). The figure represents the third-highest number of overnight stays for the month of August in the region's recorded history.

It comes after the Canary Islands including Tenerife and Lanzarote have faced protests and demonstrations over mass tourism. Among the protesters' demands was the immediate end to the construction of any more hotel accommodations.

In April, up to 120,000 people took to the streets of Tenerife to demand limits on the impact holidaymakers were having on the Spanish archipelago. Demonstrations were seen across the holiday destinations in June, July, August and September.

The number of tourists staying in Canary Island hotels also grew by 3.21 per cent, with a total of 1,005,065 visitors in August. Of these, 703,149 (69.96 per cent) were international tourists. The average daily rate per hotel room in the Canary Islands has risen to €139.29 (£116), an 8.2 per cent year-on-year increase.

Overall, hotel prices in the region increased by 5.93 per cent compared to the previous year. Hotel occupancy reached 81.19 perc ent in August, with the sector employing 57,818 people, representing a 7.3 per cent increase from the previous year.

In terms of occupancy rates, the Canary Islands ranked second in Spain at 81.19 per cent, behind the Balearic Islands at 89.9 per cent and ahead of Catalonia at 80.15 per cent. During the demos, locals carried banners reading slogans such as "Tourism is killing the Canary Islands".

They said the influx of outsiders had made their home unsafe and was erasing their local culture.

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Money blog: Why are so many major companies withdrawing vegan products?

As many companies withdraw products due to lack of demand, we dive into the data and ask if the vegan bubble has really burst - or whether there is something else going on. Leave a comment with your thoughts below and we'll be back with live Money updates on Monday.

Saturday 28 September 2024 21:35, UK

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• Why are so many companies withdrawing vegan products?
• Veganism in decline? No, but we're turning away from meat alternatives | Readers have their say
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Our in-depth look at why so many vegan products are being withdrawn (see previous post) has prompted hundreds of comments - and one theme has dominated our inbox.

Many vegan readers wrote in to suggest that rather than signifying a decline in interest in veganism, the withdrawals are instead a symptom of people becoming more aware of ultra-processed food - which, as the nutritionist in the article pointed out, are prevalent in meat alternatives.

As the article made clear, there's no simple narrative here - with the data contradicting itself: the number of vegans is seemingly up, but search interest in veganism has fallen off a cliff in the last couple of years.

Here are some of your comments...

Vegans don't want to eat the ultra processed 'lookalikes' that the mass producers think we want to eat. Supermarkets try to lead the trend with alternative copies, when actually eating a vegan diet is about embracing real food. James

The reason why people no longer buy vegan food products is due to them being high in fat and salt. Everyone is more savvy now and cook their own healthier vegan dishes - that's much cheaper. Riversong

To be vegan you really need to use whole foods and not packaged ultra processed food - which will often include sugars and chemicals that take away all the benefit. It's a myth that you cannot get all nutrients including proteins from veg and fruit. CaptainFog

The article erroneously claims that a vegan diet is expensive, which may be true if you eat an exclusively unhealthy ultra processed diet of fake meats etc, but as the nutritionist points out, a diet of legumes, veg, fruit, nuts, seeds, whole grains etc is very healthy, and cheaper. Karlos (part one)

The focus on meat alternatives being withdrawn is flawed, since these processed products are only a stepping stone to a vegan diet, and most vegans like myself (9+years) rarely or never eat them after the transition finished. Companies overestimated the market initially. Karlos (part two)

With the rise of awareness of ultra processed foods, the surprise discovery that most plant based vegan foods fall into that highly undesirable category is, I suggest, a major reason why there has been a decline in buying these products. It was mine. Jancandy

Attributing a decline in vegan search down to price or reduction in veganism is too simplistic. We want to be healthier vegans. Many of us previously excited about the latest product have evolved and make our own without harmful preservatives. We are avoiding ultra processed food S123

I went vegan 8 months ago and it's been a great success. I don't know anyone who goes vegan because it's cheaper. Primarily we do it for health and to object to the use and slaughter of animals. If you batch cook, buy in bulk and learn some new cooking techniques, you'll be fine. Aidan

Vegans are growing in numbers and always will be. It's just that many of us are switching to more whole foods. I'm vegan 7 years and used vegan meat to help me transition to real foods like nuts, seeds, fruit and vegetables. Veganism is humanity's last hope for sustainability. Trevor

People not giving up on veganism. Just the fake meat is not great, and unhealthy. Why do you want to eat a packed with chemicals burger if there are so many good recipes with plants only. Bea

By Katie Williams , Money team

The rise of the vegan diet seems to have been unstoppable in recent years, with more and more people making the lifestyle switch due to animal welfare, environmental and health concerns.

The "Veganuary" campaign – which started in 2014 and sees participants commit to being vegan for the entire month of January - has helped raise awareness of a plant-based diet and is credited with prompting many people to make a permanent switch. 

Around 707,000 people signed up to the challenge last year, while research by comparison site Finder suggests there were an estimated 2.5 million vegans in the UK in 2024 (4.7% of the population), with the number increasing by roughly 1.1 million since 2023.

Products withdrawn - and search interest in decline

Despite this apparent increase in people adopting a vegan diet, other data poses significant questions for the market.

Figures from consumer intelligence company NIQ show that in the year to June, sales of chilled and frozen meat alternatives dropped by around 21% compared with the same period two years earlier. There was a slight rebound in dairy-free milk sales, which increased by 0.8% on average compared with 2022.

Heinz disappointed some customers this year by revealing it had discontinued its vegan salad cream to meet "changing culinary trends and tastes". Greggs axed its vegan steak bake in May, Quorn removed its chilled bacon slices from shelves, while other brands such as Heck, Oatly and Nestle have all reduced their vegan product offerings in the past couple of years. 

Innocent scrapped its dairy-free milk range in March 2023, joking that only five people had bought the products.

The evidence of a decline doesn't stop with product withdrawals. Google data shows searches for "veganism", "vegan diet" and "vegan recipes" appeared to peak in late 2019 and early 2020 before dropping away gradually in the years after.

'I couldn't believe how much cheaper the non-vegan food was'

Two former vegans told us about their reasons for going exclusively vegan initially – and their reasons for stopping.

Megan d'Ardenne, 26, from London, said she was vegetarian on and off throughout her teenage and younger adult years, before deciding to try Veganuary in her final year of university.

After enjoying spending the month finding new recipes and testing out a new diet, Megan decided to carry on being vegan and started a food blog ( @comedinewithmegs ) showcasing her creations during the first lockdown.

But after restrictions were lifted, and restaurants opened up again, finding places with a good selection of vegan options became challenging, Megan said.

"At the time, a lot of places were offering limited menus post-COVID which made it more difficult. I remember being at a wine bar with my friends in central London and they didn't have any vegan options available so I shared a cheese board with them," she said.

"It was delicious and reminded me of my love for cheese. After that, I went back to a vegetarian diet which I followed for around six months before I started to reintroduce meat again."

Megan noticed she was able to save some money after she stopped being vegan.

"I couldn't believe how much cheaper the non-vegan food was, especially dairy. My milk, yoghurts and cheese were under half what I was spending before," she said.

Though she's returned to a diet that includes meat, Megan says she still chooses to eat vegetarian some of the time and points out that one of her favourite dishes is a Caesar salad using tofu – which she'll stock up on when it's on offer.

'I didn't want to spend my holiday hunting for vegan alternatives'

Sophie Jones, 30, from Bristol, went vegan in 2017 due to "health and ethical reasons" having already been on a vegetarian diet for three years.

But she decided to stop being exclusively vegan on a trip to Paris in 2022. She said she didn't want to spend her holiday hunting for vegan pastries and cheese "in a city that's already expensive".

Sophie said she'd also found meat substitutes were more expensive than the real thing for less product.

There was a lack of originality in the vegan options being offered by restaurants, she added: "Unless you're going somewhere where the entire menu was vegan, it was usually a burger or pasta dish."

Convenience was Sophie's main reason for introducing more fish and meat back into her diet.

Meat-free alternatives are more expensive - but it's not that simple

We looked at the price of meat/animal products versus their animal-free alternatives at the UK's biggest three supermarkets to see how much more shoppers could be paying at the tills for similar items.

We compared supermarket own-brand items with their own-brand meat-free alternatives. Offers and loyalty scheme discounts were excluded.

A quick look at three different products - sausages, burgers and milk - revealed that the equivalent vegan/vegetarian alternatives were around a third more expensive on average, when quantity was taken into account.

The above could explain why some brands have withdrawn meat-alternative options - the price point is putting people off, Megan being one.

But author and nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert says a vegan diet can be made affordable.

"Meat alternatives can be expensive," she said. "[But] canned vegetables, such as legumes and pulses, are an excellent example of cost-effective vegan choices. They are both full of fibre and a great source of protein."

She added: "When it comes to dairy milk alternatives, unsweetened soya milk is a cheaper choice and also has similar protein and fat content to semi-skimmed cow's milk."

Ultra-processed concerns

While cost and convenience are clearly putting some people off, the data is contradictory: products are being withdrawn and search interest has fallen off a cliff, but the number of vegans appears to still be rising.

Rhiannon's comments for this article hint at another reason meat-alternatives are being withdrawn.

"Meat alternatives can be processed and so are not always the best choice of protein for those following vegan diets," she said.

As awareness of UPFs has risen, perhaps it is that vegans are just being more concerned about the products they buy.

What are the benefits of a vegan diet v meat?

Rhiannon said research shows a vegan diet can bring "numerous health benefits" including a decreased risk of heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer.

"Vegan diets also have a lower environmental footprint compared with diets which are rich in animal products as they require fewer natural resources and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to sustainability and conservation," she said.

"This being said, it's easy for a vegan diet to lack essential nutrients resulting in vitamin deficiencies, and therefore it requires meticulous planning and it is often best to seek advice from a registered nutritionist or dietician on how best to follow this diet," Rhiannon added.

"Animal products such as meat, dairy and eggs are rich sources of essential nutrients like high-quality protein, vitamin B12, heme-iron, and calcium which are vital for overall health."

Those wanting to make more environmentally conscious choices can eat less red meat, plan meals ahead to avoid waste and shop locally and seasonally, she added.

By Jimmy Rice , Money blog editor

We're signing out for the week as far as live updates are concerned - though do check out our long read on whether the vegan bubble has burst tomorrow morning.

Until then, here are the four major takeaways from Money this week...

The good news for holidaymakers continued with the pound showing strength against both the euro and dollar.

Political stability here in the UK, as well as better than expected economic growth, have boosted the pound in recent weeks.

The dollar, meanwhile, has suffered due to forecasts of faster US interest rate cuts, with the Fed wanting to loosen monetary policy to stimulate a floundering jobs market.

In Europe, the currency has been spooked by fears Germany is also facing a recession.

All this means Britons can get more holiday money for a pound: around $1.34 and €1.20.

Notably, Goldman Sachs thinks the pound could reach $1.40 within a year.

The value of the pound also makes importing fuel cheaper - which, combined with lower oil prices, is being reflected at the pumps.

Earlier this week, petrol and diesel prices sank to a three-year low - with the RAC putting the average price of a litre of petrol at 135.7p, almost 60p cheaper than the record high hit two years ago.

Young people were urged this week to check whether they have unclaimed cash sitting in Child Trust Funds (CTFs).

HMRC says more than 670,000 18-22 year olds are yet to cash in on their stash from the government savings pots.

It says each account is worth £2,212 on average.

Child Trust Funds are long-term tax-free savings accounts set up under the previous Labour government for children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011. 

Youngsters can take control of their account at 16 and withdraw funds when they turn 18 and the account matures.

Investment platform AJ Bell says more than a quarter of CTF accounts were set up by the government, rather than parents, meaning many people may be unaware they have one.

It's crucial people look into it if they think they may have a CTF - before fees eat up all their money.

Finally, rail workers voted to accept pay offers from train companies and Network Rail - putting an end to strikes that have impacted passengers for years.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) backed a one-year rise of 4.5% at Network Rail (NR) and increases at train operators of 4.75% for the last year and 4.5% for 2024-25.

Here are a few other Money posts you may wish to check out from the week...

We'll be back with live updates on Monday morning - and don't forget our Saturday long read from 8am tomorrow.

If Married At First Sight has taught us anything, it's that there is no such thing as a free wedding.

As eight more couples head down the aisle in the Channel 4 show, casino site Bonusetu looked at the venues where they tied the knot on their first meeting.

The Elvetham Hotel

The Elvetham Hotel in Hook, Hampshire, hosted the weddings of Kristina and Kieran, Eve and Charlie, Sacha and Ross, and Richelle and Orson.

Their wedding packages range from £3,000 to £8,000, the venue can accommodate up to 160 guests for receptions and 120 for dining. The stately home counts King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I as former guests.

The hotel has a 4.5 star rating on Google, from more than a thousand reviews.

Venue hire includes access to elegant rooms, a wedding breakfast, an evening reception, formal gardens, and a dramatic red-carpet arrival. 

Farnham Castle

Farnham Castle, a historic Surrey venue, was the backdrop for Emma and Caspar, Lacey and Nathan, Polly and Adam, and Holly and Alex's wedding days.

With prices starting at £4,000, the price of packages at the castle can reach as much as £25,000. 

This Grade I and Grade II-listed castle accommodates up to 350 guests for receptions and 238 for seated dinners. The venue offers a grand ballroom and the services of an in-house wedding coordinator. It also averages a 4.5 star rating on Google, from more than 600 reviews.

A spokesperson at Bonusetu.com said: "While we cringe, laugh, and hope for successful couples, those planning a wedding can find incredible inspiration for their own big day. You may be watching for love but end up falling for a venue instead."

Two pensioners are seeking to take the Scottish and UK governments to court over the cut to the winter fuel payment.

Peter and Florence Fanning, of Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, have raised proceedings with the help of the Govan Law Centre against the Scottish government and the UK work and pensions secretary over the policy.

It comes after the Scottish government announced its once universal benefit will now be means-tested, replicating a UK government decision.

The introduction of a replacement Scottish benefit was also delayed.

The judicial review - which has been raised at the Court of Session - now requires a judge's approval to move to a hearing on the merits, with Govan Law Centre seeking to expedite both the case and its application for legal aid to ensure a decision can be handed down before the winter.

The case asks the court to rule on whether the decision was unlawful, which would then allow the petitioners to ask the court to, in effect, set aside the policy and restore the winter fuel payment to all.

"We are hoping to be successful, given the manifest injustice involved, however, my work as a trade unionist and shop steward has taught me that some battles are worth fighting regardless of the outcome - I believe this is one such battle," said Mr Fanning. 

Read the full report here:

The Co-op is now using artificial intelligence to detect shoplifters after theft costs rose by 19% (up to £39.5m) in the first half of the year.

The technology will also be able to detect assaults on staff. 

The member-owned business, which returned to profit despite the growing toll of shoplifting, has spent £18m so far this year on measures to protect staff, including rolling out body-worn cameras and fortified kiosks.

While the supermarket said it did not use facial recognition, it is participating separately in Project Pegasus. This is where CCTV images are shared with retailers and the police and then run through databases to identify serial thieves and dangerous individuals.

The Association of Convenience Stores said its members were reporting "high volume" and "very brazen and direct" incidents of shoplifting - with meat, cheese and alcohol typically being targeted.

The most recent figures for the outcomes of recorded crimes show that, of 436,171 cases of shoplifting, 71,741 led to a criminal charge that year.

Retailers have warned that some smaller shops are buying stolen goods from professional shoplifters who steal to order for criminal gangs to feed their addiction problems.

On Tuesday 1 October, energy prices will rise for most households - so to avoid being charged more than you should, it's a good idea to do a meter reading this weekend.

If (like around 85% of households) you are on a standard variable tariff then your energy bill is set to rise by around 10% from next month, due to the latest price cap change. 

But by giving a meter reading before then, it stops your supplier from estimating your usage and potentially assuming you may have used more than you did, and at a higher rate than you currently have. 

This weekend is the perfect time to do it - if you wait until the deadline, you may find yourself in a rush that sees suppliers' websites and phone lines crash (this happened in March 2022 at the height of the energy crisis). By sorting it this weekend, any discrepancy will be minimal.

Some firms do let you backdate your reading, but you have to have taken the reading on the actual day and just be submitting it a few days later - by that point, you will have done most of the work so might as well just get it done. 

If you want to check if suppliers will backdate your readings (and some will as late as 11 October), MoneySavingExpert have a handy guide here .

If you have a working smart meter, you don't need to do this - it is done automatically. 

It's the day before your friend's birthday and you've completely forgotten to get them a gift. 

Usually, at this point, your only choices are to leave the house and go to an actual shop, or put more money in the pocket of Jeff Bezos and hope an Amazon Prime delivery turns up on time.

But now, online marketplace Not On The High Street and Deliveroo have teamed up to give customers access to on-demand delivery of more than a thousand gifts and personalised products in as little as 25 minutes.

From this week, at least 15 small brands across London will be available to order via the delivery app, under the umbrella of Not On The High Street. More independent brands will be added to the platform as it expands. 

It's not the first time a delivery brand has expanded beyond food - yesterday we told you that Just Eat has hooked up with Lovehoney to get vibrators and lingerie sent to their doorstep in minutes. 

Just Eat said the products will be delivered inside sealed, unbranded paper bags, with receipts inside to ensure "discretion". The brand has already made deals with Lush cosmetics and Boots. 

Deliveroo penned a similar deal with Ann Summers earlier this year. 

Every Friday we take an overview of the mortgage market, hearing from industry voices and getting a round-up of the best rates courtesy of the independent experts at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk .

Mortgage rates have continued their trickle down this week - a process that's been under way since the summer as the path towards lower interest rates now seems set (even if the Bank of England appears keen to walk down the path very slowly).

This is how average rates are looking - though it's important to stress that many borrowers will now be able to get deals much nearer, or even below, the 4% mark...

First-time buyers

There was a significant boost for those looking to get on the housing ladder this week as Nationwide announced it would start lending up to six times someone's salary.

David Hollingworth, a director at  L&C Mortgages , told Money that this could help combat two serious challenges facing these buyers - house prices remaining "extremely resilient" despite some falls over recent years, and building a deposit during a cost of living crisis.

"The need for the longer fix is to give stability of payment and remove the chance of interest rate fluctuation pushing payments up and also enables them to apply more flexible stress rates," he said.

Mr Hollingworth pointed out that Halifax has also extended its first-time buyer limit to 5.5 times a salary.

"Of course, lenders will still apply their affordability tests," he said.

There is often a minimum household income expected. For example, Nationwide expects a minimum income of £50,000 or £30,000 in the case of a single applicant. 

Moneyfacts finance expert Rachel Springall says those looking for buy-to-let mortgages can be "encouraged" by lenders such as   Santander, NatWest and Leeds Building Society lowering rates this week.

This is offset, however, by "concern about a potential hike in capital gains tax in the budget next month". 

She said: "Landlords have had to review their portfolios over the years due to changing taxation rules and some may plan to buy through a limited company, according to new research."

One benefit here is paying the lower corporation tax rather than income tax.

Landlords who utilise limited company structures have incorporated an increasing proportion of their portfolios over the past four years, a study has found.

And the research, carried out by Pegasus Insight, suggests 67% of landlords who intend to buy in the next 12 months plan to do so through a limited company. 

Louisa Sedgwick, managing director for mortgages at Paragon Bank (which commissioned the study), said: "Landlords have increasingly used limited companies to mitigate the impact of tax changes phased in from 2016. 

"While incorporation isn't necessarily the best option in every situation, and landlords should seek advice from a professional financial or tax adviser, this highlights the opportunity for those that place this type of business."

Moneyfacts has looked at the best rates on offer for landlords now...

Moneyfacts also rounds up what it calls "best buys", which look beyond the lowest rates and takes in incentives and fees...

Baked beans are a staple of British cuisine, with a reported two million tins eaten every day - but which should you reach for to get the best taste?

In what might come as a surprise to some, Aldi's own-label baked beans have come out top in a blind taste test by Which? experts - beating pricier brands such as Heinz and Branston.

The consumer champion asked 66 baked bean lovers to test and rate 10 different options from big-name UK supermarkets, as well as branded products.

Aldi's Bramwells Baked Beans (41p for a 410g can) was the highest rated with an overall score of 76% - also bagging a Which? Best Buy and Great Value endorsement.

The panel said the beans looked good and had an "appealing aroma", while three-quarters enjoyed the strength of the flavour.

Branston (£1 for a 410g can) came closely behind with a score of 75%, followed by Co-op's own-brand offering (49p for 400g can) which received a score of 74%.

And while Heinz Beanz reign supreme for many, the panel rated the product just fifth out of 10 with a score of 72%.

Natalie Hitchins, Which? head of home products and services, said the results show customers "don't have to pay a premium for the best taste".

"Choosing supermarket own-label groceries is not only a great way to save money, but our tests prove that you can end up with a better tasting product and can save over £100 a year by making the switch."

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Please note you do not have access to teaching notes, the causal factors of transformational leadership and sufficiency economy philosophy practice influencing the performance of coast tourism business in thailand.

Management & Sustainability: An Arab Review

ISSN : 2752-9819

Article publication date: 27 September 2024

Transactional leadership and old-school management practices may not answer the changes in today’s world. Therefore, the study aimed to examine the influences of transformational leadership and the practice of sufficiency economy philosophy (SEP) on the performance of the coast tourism business in Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach

The population of this study comprised all Thai coast tourism businesses. Using simple random sampling, the quantitative data were collected from 407 coast tourism businesses in Thailand as the samples. Transformational leadership, SEP practice and business performance were adapted from the literature. Path analysis and factor confirmation including a correlation matrix were used to test the causal factors influencing the Thai coast tourism business’s performance.

Transformational leadership, SEP practice and performance of coast tourism business in Thailand were on a high level. Moreover, there were positive influences of transformational leadership (direct and indirect) and SEP practice on the coast tourism business’s performance.

Practical implications

Tourism business managers should pay attention to transformational leadership and SEP practice to lead to better performance for their businesses. Policymakers should educate businesses about new management practices to prepare for the changes in the future.

Originality/value

The findings of this study demonstrate that stakeholder theory can be used to explain the positive influences of transformational leadership and SEP practice on the coast tourism business’s performance in Thailand.

• Transformational leadership
• Sufficiency economy philosophy practice
• Performance
• Coast tourism business

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by National Science, Research and Innovation Fund (NSRF) and Prince of Songkla University (Grant No. MAN6601018S).

Suttipun, M. (2024), "The causal factors of transformational leadership and sufficiency economy philosophy practice influencing the performance of coast tourism business in Thailand", Management & Sustainability: An Arab Review , Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/MSAR-06-2024-0047

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited

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