The Government are considering a proposal to tax tourists 300 baht to cover the cost of medical bills and the management and developing of tourist destinations.

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn announced that each international visitor to the country will have to pay 300 baht. It was also revealed that the fee was scheduled to come in effect last year, but the decision was postponed due to the global Covid-19 situation.

The details of how the fee will be collected will be announced at a later date in the Royal Gazette once the policy has been approved.

Of the 300-baht fee, 34 baht is expected to be used for the insurance coverage, Mr Phiphat said, with the remainder being used for management of local tourist destinations.

Thailand expects to receive some 10 million visitors in 2021.

An alleged hitman wanted in connection with a murder in Samut Sakhon province has been picked up by police in Southern Thailand carrying an illegal firearm and ammunition.

The 34 years old man, identified only as Thanasak, was wanted on a warrant issued by the Samut Sakhon Court on 14 January 2021.

Police had put out an APB to southern provinces as intel led them to believe that was where he had gone on the run following the murder.

Officers at a checkpoint in Thap Sakae District in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province had received information that the suspect was driving a Black Toyota Alphard with a red Bangkok license plate.

On Sunday they spotted the suspects vehicle and immediately arrested him.

A search of the Alphard uncovered a Glock 9mm pistol loaded with one bullet in the chamber, a bag containing a magazine loaded with 13 bullets. A separate red Gucci bag concealing another magazine with 3 bullets and a black box holding a further 41 bullets.

Thanasak was initially charged with a string of firearms offences and will be transferred to Samut Sakhon for questioning regarding the murder he is believed to have carried out.