In an attempt to shore up Thailand’s battered tourism industry, the Thai Cabinet on Tuesday approved measures to support the sector by waiving visa fees for foreign tourists for three months.
Deputy government spokesman Putthipong Punnakan said measures the measures would cause the government to lose Bt800 million in tourism revenue.
Moreover, Airports of Thailand (AoT) and the Aviation Department will lower airline landing and departure fees by 20 per cent and 50 per cent respectively. The landing fee for chartered flights will be reduced by half, he said.
AoT will pay Bt500 million to help compensate for the loss in revenue which is intended to encourage airlines to lower their fares.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation will allow visitors free entry to visit national parks nationwide for two years. The government will pay Bt250 million as compensation to the Department.
The Cabinet also approved increasing advance crop mortgages on agricultural products by another Bt13.580 billion. Of the total, Bt12.625 billion will come from loans and the rest from the government subsidies.
The funds will be invested in a government-sponsored mortgage program for corn for animal feeds, oil palm and rubber, he said.