King Power Prices Way Above Other Airports!

[croftrobin]

If you want Duty Free that is actually a bargain then if you ever cross over from Thailand into Laos via the Friendship Bridge call into the duty free shops on the Laos side.

1 Litre JD - US$17

1 Litre Johnny Black - US$18 (if I remember rightly)

750ml Johnny Green - can't remember the precise amount but I am pretty sure recalling it being US$18 same as 1L JB.

Basically any of the alcohol is cheaper than you'll find in any shops in Vientiane. One tip though check between the shops as there is quite often a dollar or two in difference between prices.

My scope on this is the following:

Often all the stuff you buy at land border crossings - especially... Cambodia & Laos are Fake. Fags and booze are prime examples.

Try the taste test Buy a bottle of JW both here in TH & at the border of the 2 above mentioned countries - take a good measure from each - even add a little water or ice if your inclined that way!, 1 from a real bottle of JW here in Thailand and one from the Cam/ Laos border and I think anybody can taste the difference.

This is true unless you buy from the duty free shops in Cambodia - eg at the Casinos - as the booze there comes from Singapore as you can normally see when you check the non brand labels that are on the bottle.

This is from my own experience at the 4 geographical land border crossings in Thailand nearest me that I have used in the last 5 years.

YCAW !!

[bendix]

Sadly, I agree with croftrobin. As i write this, i've just poured a glass of JW Black bought from a Laos border checkpoint. It had all the duty free stamps on it (ostensibly it was Singapore). I've just opened the bottle. It's crap. Obviously a fake. Tastes more like 100 Pipers or some such crap.

Oh well, you live and learn.

Having said that. 1 litre bottles in KP at airport have been reduced to 800 baht.

[Sulaphat]

I think that all the "duty free" shops in Thailand actually share their revenues on a percentage basis with the Customs Department. I know this used to be the case and haven't heard that it had changed. If this arrangement indeed remains , not only are most of the "duty free" goods not a bargain, it is questionalbe whether they are actually free of duty. I seem to recall that a Customs Department official, when asked how something could be "duty free" when a percentage of the price went to the Customs Department, said that revenue sharing whas not "duty".

[technocracy]

If you want Duty Free that is actually a bargain then if you ever cross over from Thailand into Laos via the Friendship Bridge call into the duty free shops on the Laos side.

1 Litre JD - US$17

1 Litre Johnny Black - US$18 (if I remember rightly)

750ml Johnny Green - can't remember the precise amount but I am pretty sure recalling it being US$18 same as 1L JB.

Basically any of the alcohol is cheaper than you'll find in any shops in Vientiane. One tip though check between the shops as there is quite often a dollar or two in difference between prices.

My scope on this is the following:

Often all the stuff you buy at land border crossings - especially... Cambodia & Laos are Fake. Fags and booze are prime examples.

Try the taste test Buy a bottle of JW both here in TH & at the border of the 2 above mentioned countries - take a good measure from each - even add a little water or ice if your inclined that way!, 1 from a real bottle of JW here in Thailand and one from the Cam/ Laos border and I think anybody can taste the difference.

This is true unless you buy from the duty free shops in Cambodia - eg at the Casinos - as the booze there comes from Singapore as you can normally see when you check the non brand labels that are on the bottle.

This is from my own experience at the 4 geographical land border crossings in Thailand nearest me that I have used in the last 5 years.

YCAW !!

Don't know about Cambodia but one thing I can assure you is the Friendship Bridge stuff isn't fake. I love my Jack Daniels and I know a fake JD a mile away and I can assure you that what I buy there isn't fake. Dao Heuang who have the largest shop at the FB is the one of the largest imports/exports companies in Laos and doesn't peddle fake goods. I guess the huge bottle JB (I forget how many litres) in it own pouring mount they have on is a fake also...

I took many a bottle of Johnny Walker Black Label and Green Label back to the UK for a friend who is a whiskey lover and he had no concerns over the taste or thought they were fakes.

As for the labels yep any bottle you buy from Dao Heuang or the other shops have the Singapore Duty Not Paid labels on them.

I am not saying there isn't fakes at smaller shops - I know there is loads in Vientiane shops but they stand out a mile.

Personally I think Johnny Walkers of any colour tastes like a bad de-icer anyway! Give me a nice Scottish Single Malt any day of the week!

[steveromagnino]

Sadly, I agree with croftrobin. As i write this, i've just poured a glass of JW Black bought from a Laos border checkpoint. It had all the duty free stamps on it (ostensibly it was Singapore). I've just opened the bottle. It's crap. Obviously a fake. Tastes more like 100 Pipers or some such crap

Funnily enough, my Scotch drinking expert buddy rates 100 Pipers above JW Black.

100 Pipers is the export label made by the Chivas distillery.

Not much in it when your at the low end of the market for blended whiskies anyway (JW Red, black, 100 Pipers, Famous Grouse, Bells etc, etc).

Black isn't really at the low end for blends; it is definitely mid end, and a few rungs above Red. Min 12 year aged malts and cost make it mid end. In theory it is supposed to be on par with Chivas 12, but for me Chivas is significantly better.

Personally I DO agree with your friend though; 100 Pipers is definitely well above its price point and would have to be for me the cheapest bearable blend - it isn't bad at all; despite being a lot cheaper I like the Speywide style malts and would rate 100 Pipers over both Black and also some of the single malts from Glenfiddich which I consider to be the worst popular single malt.

And especially anyone who blends with lots of coke soda etc isn't going to pick up much difference anyway. That is how so many counterfeits can float around the market.

I say this, as I am enjoying some Glenmorangie and some Laphroig. You won't get too many blends that taste like them!

Don't know much about bourbons I am afraid; can a bourbon drinker recommend a really good one for me? (not jack at least not the std stuff)

Vodka wise, I've recently been introduced to Mr Belvedere and a few polish ones i canne remember - has changed my perception of vodka...any chance someone can front up and recommend a high end bourbon?

[typhoon]

I was once told at Heathrow that duty free and tax free were not the same, any thoughts?

[onlooker]

The story of how King Power came to originally hold the duty free contract is an interesting one, and a warning to any large businesses of what can happen when entering into a partnership with a local firm. ( Nothing at all to do with Thaksin.) Years ago Aer Lingus had a good reputation for running duty free shops, they got the contract to run Bkk Airport's but of course needed a local partner. Business was so good that the local partner decided they didnt really need Aer Lingus's help any more and so they were kicked out. And the local parter was King Power.

[captainstabbin]

Sadly, I agree with croftrobin. As i write this, i've just poured a glass of JW Black bought from a Laos border checkpoint. It had all the duty free stamps on it (ostensibly it was Singapore). I've just opened the bottle. It's crap. Obviously a fake. Tastes more like 100 Pipers or some such crap

Funnily enough, my Scotch drinking expert buddy rates 100 Pipers above JW Black.

100 Pipers is the export label made by the Chivas distillery.

Not much in it when your at the low end of the market for blended whiskies anyway (JW Red, black, 100 Pipers, Famous Grouse, Bells etc, etc).

I often drink 100 Pipers at the local thai restraunt I frequent if they have sold out of my favorite, Benmore (an extra B30 per bottle). You actually have to watch out for the fake Pipers, which is more prevalent than you would think in Thailand

[sangfroid]

Anyone who buys ANYTHING from Kingpower has rocks in their head

[Big A]

For all the Brits out there.......I have never been a huge fan of KingPower Duty Free, but they do sell BASSETT'S WINE GUMS!!

Finished a pound bag before I got to the gate!!

[cubes2]

Anyone who buys ANYTHING from Kingpower has rocks in their head

Total agreemnet

They get zero money off me. total rip off.

[marshbags]

B.Post...General news >> Friday August 24, 2007

Quote:-

Duty free firm gets the boot...King Power ordered out of Suvarnabhumi

AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK

The Airports of Thailand (AoT) board has ordered King Power Duty Free out of Suvarnabhumi airport after a fresh investigation found that its contract was signed without approval from the government.

The board, led by Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr, also gave the green light to take action against present and past AoT officials who colluded with the firm.

The evidence was in the findings of an outside committee headed by Pol Gen Pratin Santiprabhob set up to investigate King Power's right to operate commercial space in the passenger terminal of the new airport.

Unquote.

Please go to the following url for ref.

Apologies if it,s already been posted / covered in one of the other threads and i,ve missed it.

Get the Thieving B******S out,

One more to add to S.J,s ever growing tick list

marshbags

[lazeeboy]

B.Post...General news >> Friday August 24, 2007

Quote:-

Duty free firm gets the boot...King Power ordered out of Suvarnabhumi

AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK

The Airports of Thailand (AoT) board has ordered King Power Duty Free out of Suvarnabhumi airport after a fresh investigation found that its contract was signed without approval from the government.

The board, led by Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr, also gave the green light to take action against present and past AoT officials who colluded with the firm.

The evidence was in the findings of an outside committee headed by Pol Gen Pratin Santiprabhob set up to investigate King Power's right to operate commercial space in the passenger terminal of the new airport.

Unquote.

Please go to the following url for ref.

Apologies if it,s already been posted / covered in one of the other threads and i,ve missed it.

Get the Thieving B******S out,

One more to add to S.J,s ever growing tick list

marshbags

dont even bother looking in there anymore ,way over priced.....

[goldyneo]

B.Post...General news >> Friday August 24, 2007

Quote:-

Duty free firm gets the boot...King Power ordered out of Suvarnabhumi

AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK

The Airports of Thailand (AoT) board has ordered King Power Duty Free out of Suvarnabhumi airport after a fresh investigation found that its contract was signed without approval from the government.

The board, led by Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr, also gave the green light to take action against present and past AoT officials who colluded with the firm.

The evidence was in the findings of an outside committee headed by Pol Gen Pratin Santiprabhob set up to investigate King Power's right to operate commercial space in the passenger terminal of the new airport.

Unquote.

Please go to the following url for ref.

Apologies if it,s already been posted / covered in one of the other threads and i,ve missed it.

Get the Thieving B******S out,

One more to add to S.J,s ever growing tick list

marshbags

Oh! Poor King power

[goldyneo]

Anyone who buys ANYTHING from Kingpower has rocks in their head

you mean if they buy they 'd rock their head. lol

[JonnieB]

King Power is one of the biggest scams in Thailand. Anyone who lives here knows that. First off, anyone who knows anything about travel and customs/excise taxes in the first place knows that in our globalized world, most consumer goods imported in most countries have quite low or NO import duties to begin with. The main exception being on alcohol and tobacco products. Therefore, the only thing one should ever consider buying at any airport "duty free" shop are possibly these items. All the other stuff like clothes, pens, purses, candy, electronics, etc. are usually no cheaper (and usually lots more expensive (high airport rents), in the case of King Power) than you would find at any mall outside the confines of the airport. The reason being that there is usually little to no duty to begin with so the claim of having "duty free" prices at the airport shop is basically an oxymoron.

Specifically relating to King Power, on principle, everyone should boycott the place. They are one of the main reasons for the congestion regarding floor space at the new airport. From what I have read, basically they had the master contract/lease to all the retail/food space at the new airport. The contract called for something like 10,000 sm of retail space spread around the terminal. However, when the airport opened, it was found that many areas that were to remain free of outlets and restos had them in fact. This caused general congestion in many areas of the terminal, obstructed some emergency exit areas, and covered-up important directional signage, e.g., restrooms, exits, immigration, etc. The reason for all this was that apparently instead of leasing out and building 10k sm of space, King Power leased-out/build out something near 20,000 sm. DOUBLE WHAT WAS CALLED FOR IN THEIR CONTRACT!!!

Of course, they never sought permission for this expansion of their operations from airport authorities nor did they offer to double their concession fee they paid to the airport. (But I'm sure certain airport officials are enjoying their new Beemers and BMW's now as we speak ) No, just pay for 10k sm of retain space and go build-up and lease out 20k sm and keep all the extra for themselves As to the congestion and passenger inconvenience caused by their actions...who cares!!!

[Big A]

DO NOT BUY AT KING POWER

Except Wine gums, of course (see earlier post!!!)

[danone]

since 15 years, i never had and will never ever buy anything at king power.

they are mafia. greedy monopolists.

[goldyneo]

I sometime bought duty free product at airport (king power) because i am a member of their privilege and I've got a cheaper than other (some othercountry airport duty free). And I've got some extra service without carrying when I've bought I would pickup when return. I think it's cool!

In my view, every airport duty free runner have a fix cost of concession fee paying to the authority. The percentage of the fee in every airport depend on an authority regulation. For thailand I think it's high percentage of concession fee. That's why bankok airport duty free runner cannot make a competitive price as Dubai or Hongkong.

[marshbags]

B.Post>>>General news >> Monday August 27, 2007

KING POWER / DUTY FREE CONTRACT PROBE

Quote:-

Previous AoT board 'privy to legal breach'

AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK

A panel investigating King Power's right to operate commercial space in Suvarnabhumi airport yesterday named the parties involved in alleged irregularities in which contracts were allegedly split to avoid scrutiny by the state.

In its 67-page probe report, the panel, appointed by the Airports of Thailand (AoT) board and headed by Pol Gen Pratin Santiprabhob, found the previous AoT board, chaired by then transport permanent secretary Srisook Chandrangsu, had improperly approved the King Power duty free contract, causing damage to the state.

Unquote.

Ref url for the full article / details

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/27Aug2007_news03.php

It doesn,t enhance the reputation of the Chulalongkorn University's IP Institute, mind you it wasn,t much under valued, was it!!

Perhaps an honest / dishonest mis calculation was made.

What a pity K.P couldn,t do / have done a similar thing when pricing their duty frees.....................

marshbags

[think_too_mut]

A bottle of MacAllan whiskey at King Power is 1620B, "duty free".

A bottle (true, not 1L but 700cc) in Japan, retails at 900 baht.

[Payboy]

First off, anyone who knows anything about travel and customs/excise taxes in the first place knows that in our globalized world, most consumer goods imported in most countries have quite low or NO import duties to begin with.

...actually it is a bit different in thailand (and most of asean) - duty rates applicable on almost all goods are calculated on the basis of this list:

1) 0% for goods that government policy provides not to collect duties

2) 1% for raw materials

3) 5% for primary products & capital goods

4) 10% for intermediate products

5) 20% for finished products

6) 30% for government protected goods

(except vehicles, tobacco & alcohol which fall under a higher tax bracket)

[marshbags]

First off, anyone who knows anything about travel and customs/excise taxes in the first place knows that in our globalized world, most consumer goods imported in most countries have quite low or NO import duties to begin with.

...actually it is a bit different in thailand (and most of asean) - duty rates applicable on almost all goods are calculated on the basis of this list:

1) 0% for goods that government policy provides not to collect duties

2) 1% for raw materials

3) 5% for primary products & capital goods

4) 10% for intermediate products

5) 20% for finished products

6) 30% for government protected goods

(except vehicles, tobacco & alcohol which fall under a higher tax bracket)

7) ??% for " TEA MONEY "

marshbags