Foreign tourists, without Thai nationality, traveling in Thailand are entitled to apply for a VAT refund. The following steps outline the procedure for foreign tourists visiting Thailand to request a VAT refund:
Tourists must purchase goods from stores displaying the "VAT Refund For Tourist" sign, with the merchandise costing no less than 2,000 Baht. Upon departure from international airports (Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Phuket, U-Tapao, Krabi, Samui, Surat Thani, Mae Fah Luang, Chiang Rai), customs officers must inspect the goods and stamp approval. After this, the tourists must check-in and proceed to immigration before reaching the VAT refund service point. Tourists wishing to claim a VAT refund and declaring expensive goods categorized by the Revenue Department (including set gemstones, gold ornaments, watches, glasses, pens valued over 10,000 Baht) may do so.
For VAT refunds:
- In cases where the tax refund amount is not more than 30,000 Baht, tourists can choose to receive the refund in cash (Baht), as a money order (draft), or credit to a credit card account.
- In cases where the tax refund amount exceeds 30,000 Baht, tourists can apply for the refund via a money order (draft) or credit to a credit card account.
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