VAT Refunds for Tourists, Bangkok

Tips for travellers:

If you are travelling with a group of friends, always assign a key person to handle the VAT refund matters. The refund requires a spending of THB2000 per day in the same shop/shopping mall/department store in order to go for the application. However to be effectively getting a refund, you need to accumulate THB5000 in total (under the same name). Hence it will be easier if we consolidate all the invoices and one shall go for the refund procedures. And you shall be maximizing the amount of refund in this way.

WHO claims VAT -
* If you were in Thailand less than 180 days in a year;
* not a crew member;
* leaves Thaialnd on plane from International airport.

HOW to shop and get VAT-
* Shop in stores with VAT refund for tourist sign;
* Spend at least 2000 THB per store and per day.... and make sure the VAT refund form is filled on that day....it is DAY by DAY system
* To make a claim at the airport, the total purchase must exceed 5000 THB (total of all shopping entiteld to VAT claims)
* Present PASSPORT and completed VAT form and it must be stamped and properly documented at each of the store DAYby DAY purchases. If you did not claim yesterday and try to get the form filled the following day - then too bad!

What to buy: The picture is the CUSTOM OFFICE at the Bangkok airport - please go there...it is immediately near the MAS counter....but look out for them..they may have several CUSTOM OFFICEs in the terminal. We were at terminal one....just go in there, BEFORE you checkin and show yours goodeis, and the compelted VAT form (PP10) and tax invoices to the Custom officers.

What to pay: You cannot claim on GEM Stones

After the custom inspection, checkin at your flight row, and you can put your goodies into the luggage for check in as well ...and get your boarding pass, then buy your departure tax (500 THB cash each) just before you get to the immigration control.

Then after the control, go to the VAT refund office...it is on the right...towards gate 40s and above...and have ample time to claim. They pay you in cash if the refund is not more than 30,000 THB, but if more, they will credit to your account.
For the cash refund, they charge 100 THB fee.
For a bank draft refund they charbe 100 THB fee abd also other draft fees at the rate charged by banks and postage fee

and for credit to credit card refund they also charge a fee of 100 THB and money transfer fee and postage charges etc.

What to buy: Allo adequate time at the airport to get your refund. I just hate all those who leave it last minute nearing departure time, and then cursing at tall the officers...i think the tourist s themselves are so so rude.

The officers at the Custom Office are usually very friendly. You are however reminded never to be rude to them...there is a signage there telling you if you want to complain write in...and it is an offence to be rude to them. They will go through the document PP10 and tax invoices,, stamp them, and inspect your goods.

What to buy: The custom office are at near row 9 and row 3 and 4.