The National Tourism Policy Committee has approved the proposed guidelines for the collection of a 300-baht tourism fee from each international visitor.

The money will be used for the management of local tourist destinations and to provide insurance benefits.

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said each foreign visitor will be charged US$10 (300 baht) per visit. The details of the fee collection will be announced in the Royal Gazette once the policy has taken effect.

According to Mr Phiphat, Thailand expects 10 million visitors this year.

He said the fee means that foreign tourists who get sick or are injured will be taken care of and given medical care.

Of the 300-baht fee, 34 baht is expected to be used for the insurance, Mr Phiphat said.

The fee collection is in line with the National Tourism Policy Act, which authorises the ministry to impose a tourism fee.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the country had been forecast to close last year with only 6.7 million international tourists despite government schemes such as Special Tourist Visas (STVs).