The Thai government has launched a new website that aims to connect tourists with public and private sector services that might interest them. Apart from a range of visa and tourist information, the new website will also include info and links for the proposed Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and 300 baht arrival/tourist tax.
You can check out the new site HERE.
Other offerings include accommodation at national parks, tourist police contact info, VAT refund processing, Muay Thai classes, a ‘cultural calendar’ and emergency numbers.
The portal will also host the new electronic travel authorisation and electronic visa application systems, and will also collect the 300 baht “tourism fee” – whenever that’s introduced.
The Bangkok Post reports that the Tourism and Sports Ministry launched the “Entry Thailand” website to provide the information and travel services tourists need.
Mongkon Wimonrat from the ministry says the project is a collaboration with 12 organisations, including the Interior Ministry and Airports of Thailand, and offers up-to-date information on flight schedules, train timetables, and local attractions.
According to the report, the platform rose from the ashes of the Covid-19 hotel booking platform, which foreign arrivals used to pre-book a quarantine facility.
In the future, the plan is to add more services to the platform, including the soon-to-be-implemented ETA system for visa-exempt arrivals and the 300 baht tourism levy (proposed but not confirmed at this stage).
And, should we find ourselves in the midst of another pandemic anytime soon, Mongkon says the system can be repurposed for screening and quarantine bookings once more.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
