Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
point in getting angry or upset over a few baht - Thai locals, who inevitably have less
money than you, never do this.
Tax Refunds
A 7% Value Added Tax (VAT) applies to most purchases in Thailand, but if you spend
enough and get the paperwork, the kindly Revenue Department will refund it at the airport
when you leave. To qualify to receive a refund, you must not be a Thai citizen, part of an
airline air crew or have spent more than 180 days in Thailand during the previous year.
Your purchase must have been made at an approved store; look for the blue-and-white
VAT Refund sticker. Minimum purchases must add up to 2000B per store in a single day
and to at least 5000B total for the whole trip. Before you leave the store, get a VAT Re-
fund form and tax invoice. Most major malls in Bangkok will direct you to a dedicated
VAT Refund desk, which will organise the appropriate paperwork (it takes about five
minutes). Note that you won't get a refund on VAT paid in hotels or restaurants.
At the airport, your purchases must be declared at the customs desk in the departure
hall, which will give you the appropriate stamp; you can then check them in. Smaller
items (such as watches and jewellery) should be carried on your person, as they will need
to be reinspected once you've passed immigration. You actually get your money at a
VAT
Refund Tourist Office
( 0 2272 8198)
; at Suvarnabhumi International Airport these are located
on Level 4 in both the east and west wings. For how-to info, go to
www.rd.go.th/vrt/
