Established Organization
Accoding to the government's tax incentives to promote tourism,
The Revenue Department extablished and office which is "VAT Refund for Tourist Office" on June, 1 , 1999.
The office has to report dirextly to the Director general of The Revenue department or a person
who is assigned by the Director general in order to the implementation the vat refund so
that it can be managed precisely, promptly and efficiently, The office is responsible for
tourist tax refunds on 4 main international airports, which are bangkok International airport,
Chiang mai International Airport, Hat Yai International Airport, and Phuket International Airport.
On January, 1 , 2000. The Revenue Department launched the fifth vat refund office at U-Tapao International
Airport in order to promote the Eastern tourism of Thailand.
VAT Refund for Tourist Office was the division of The Revenue Department which was restructured
on October, 9, 2002. It was presented in academic and support division of The Revenue department.
The responsibilities are these following duties:
- 1) To service tourists at the 5 international airports for refunding tax.
- 2) To advise, monitor, and implement entreprenurs who register in VAT system.
- 3) To receive tax payment of the foreigners whose visas are prohibited.
- 4) To plan and set up systematic monitoring standard to create transparencey in equivalent for international standard
The government initiates Thailand to be the hub of the Southeast Asian and Don Muang
International Airport has the limitation of further development and the government established
Suvarnabhumi International Airport, which support the increasing of airline-tirline-traffic
congestin at Nong Ngu Hao. There is capacity of 45 million of passengers per year and 76 airlines per hour.
As a result, The Revenue department has opened VAT Refund for Tourists Office at Suvarnabhumi International
airport since September, 15 , 2006.
Nowadays, VAT Refund for Tourist offices are available in 5 international airports,
which are Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Chiang Mai International Airport, Hat Yai International Airport,
Phuket International Airport, and U - Tapao International Airport. Also, there is service at Bangkok
international airport in case of charter flight. Inaddition, the Revenue department has opened 2 more
VAT refund offices at Krabi international airport and Samui international airport to tstimulate Andaman
site tourism since 23rd December 2009.
SCOPE OF REFUND SERVICE
In Thailand, cash refund (refund is 30,000 baht or less) is now available at 8 major international airports which are as follows:
- Airport
- Suvarnabhumi, Donmueang, Phuket, Chiangmai
- Hat Yai,Krabi, Koh Samui, U-Tapao
- Office hour
- 24 hours a day
- available when international airline counter is open
Any tourist who follows the VAT refund procedure in accordance to the laws
and regulations but has no chance to submit documentation to the Revenue Officer at the airport has
the right to claim VAT refund within 3 years since purchase date. The tourist who is determined to claim
VAT refund by bank draft or credit card (please specify how to receive VAT refund) can send the following
documents by mail:
- 1. the original VAT refund application (P.P.10) and the original tax invoice,
- 2. photocopies of claimant’s passport showing his or her picture, immigration stamps showing arrival and departure dates,
- 3. a photocopy of claimant’s credit card(Visa, MasterCard, Diners or JCB only) showing name, account number and expiry date of credit card (allow two months for refund processing so it should not expire in the next two months),
- 4. Please write your complete address on the P.P.10 and send us the above documents by mail to
VAT Refund for Tourists Office
The Revenue Department
90 Phaholyothin 7 Road
Samsen Nai, Phayathai
Bangkok 10400, Thailand