Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

In a bid to invigorate Thailand's tourism sector during the low season, the Finance Ministry is considering introducing tax measures, according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. The ministry is engaged in discussions with the Tourism and Sports Ministry about potential additional incentives beyond the existing "Tiew Thai Khon La Khrueng" (half-half) co-payment scheme.

 

As the government seeks to enhance consumer spending, Mr Julapun highlighted the critical need for increased support during the low season, even as the tourism industry shows promise leading up to the high season at the year's end.

 

Mr Julapun expressed optimism that the recent cabinet reshuffle would bolster the tourism sector, particularly enhancing tourist safety—a key factor in strengthening confidence in Thailand as a travel destination.

 

Currently, the "Tiew Thai Khon La Khrueng" scheme has allocated 500,000 entitlements since July 11, with over 400,000 still available. This reflects the need for heightened engagement strategies to maximise the scheme's potential.

 

Previously, the Revenue Department rolled out tax incentives to boost domestic tourism, especially targeting visits to secondary cities during the low season. From May 1 to November 30, 2024, individuals could leverage personal income tax incentives for travel within 55 designated secondary tourist provinces. These incentives allowed for deductions on actual expenses for tour packages, hotel stays, resorts, or homestays, with a cap of 15,000 Thai Baht. Importantly, only electronic tax invoices or receipts were eligible for these deductions.

 

For businesses, corporate income tax incentives during the same period encouraged organising domestic seminars. Companies could classify costs related to seminar room rentals, accommodation, transport, or related tour services as deductible business expenses. If the seminar took place in a secondary tourism province or a specially designated area, businesses could double the deduction; otherwise, a 1.5 times deduction applied.

 

These incentives were contingent on providing comprehensive e-tax invoices and receipts. However, this programme is projected to lead to a tax revenue shortfall of approximately 1.7 billion Thai Baht.

 

The government is poised to review these measures to ensure they effectively stimulate low-season tourism while maintaining fiscal balance. As discussions advance, the focus remains on crafting a strategy that boosts tourism and supports local economies without compromising financial viability.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-07-29

 

 

taxes are taxsin's thaksin's favorite sandbox... sretta startes the ball roling... and it just keeps on rolling...

14 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Mr Julapun expressed optimism that the recent cabinet reshuffle would bolster the tourism sector, particularly enhancing tourist safety

 

I really don't know what to say....that can be posted.

to enhance consumer spending

 

And the consumers can pay with buttons ?

My wife enquired with a hotel about the scheme, they said they applied to join the scheme but never got a reply.

13 minutes ago, carlyai said:

My wife enquired with a hotel about the scheme, they said they applied to join the scheme but never got a reply.

big playas only 

It's all smoke and mirrors try to get on the website they make it too hard typical people saying that they are doing something but really they are just boosting their own egos

Well the wife the wife just tried to book our favourite hotel in Krabi and guess what twice as expensive as high season last year and on certain days 3 times more expensive! Trying another hotel now. I hate Thai economics!

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Mr Julapun expressed optimism that the recent cabinet reshuffle would bolster the tourism sector, particularly enhancing tourist safety—a key factor in strengthening confidence in Thailand as a travel destination

Delusional

6 minutes ago, BritScot said:

Well the wife the wife just tried to book our favourite hotel in Krabi and guess what twice as expensive as high season last year and on certain days 3 times more expensive! Trying another hotel now. I hate Thai economics!

In Bangkok too.  My usual is asking for 30% more; I've gone with another hotel opposite. 

Thai economics is senseless.  'Our profits are down, let's punish the few remaining customers'.  Will the last tourist please turn off the lights on their way out.

1 minute ago, mikebell said:

In Bangkok too.  My usual is asking for 30% more; I've gone with another hotel opposite. 

Thai economics is senseless.  'Our profits are down, let's punish the few remaining customers'.  Will the last tourist please turn off the lights on their way out.

 

Yep....went to a place we used to frequent.....not longer after lockdown.....beer went from 90B to 160B overnight.

 

I asked the mamasan why?...... "there's so few customers".....bye bye.

20 minutes ago, BritScot said:

Well the wife the wife just tried to book our favourite hotel in Krabi and guess what twice as expensive as high season last year and on certain days 3 times more expensive! Trying another hotel now. I hate Thai economics!

We have a very nice Airbnb if you don't mind not being in the city. It is called Thai Teak House. 

2 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

Yep....went to a place we used to frequent.....not longer after lockdown.....beer went from 90B to 160B overnight.

 

I asked the mamasan why?...... "there's so few customers".....bye bye.

I play table-tennis 3 times a week.  The Ambassador Hotel Na Jomtien has turned its nose up at our 600 baht and shut down its A/C.  We moved to Royal Garden Pavilion; less convenient but cool. Last week they too shut off the A/C so we have gone to Mike's Shopping Mall - cheaper and no fuss about parking.

As happens here frequently, the AI-generated title & the first para. are misleading. They seem to suggest that taxes are being raised to encourage tourism.

 

Turns out - from careful reading of the rest of the 'article' - that actually it's about razing(!) ie reducing or eliminating taxes for Thai people wanting to holiday inside Thailand (as has been previously announced).

 

So nothing there for visitors to Thailand.

It makes total sense that when you continue to raise prices, despite demand being low, you are going to pay a price for your greed, idiocy, lack of business acumen, and hubris. 

 

At a time when the Thai baht is so high, raising prices because demand is low is as dumb as it gets. Add in the dozen issues plaguing the industry that they  never bothered to address, and it is no wonder tourism is suffering. 

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Mr Julapun expressed optimism that the recent cabinet reshuffle would bolster the tourism sector, particularly enhancing tourist safety—a key factor in strengthening confidence in Thailand as a travel destination.

 

You mean the RTP is going to finally get out on the streets and start enforcing road rules/laws, control taxi mafias, ensure Zebra crossing safety, and sidewalk safety? I'll be a monkeys uncle! 

3 hours ago, BritScot said:

Well the wife the wife just tried to book our favourite hotel in Krabi and guess what twice as expensive as high season last year and on certain days 3 times more expensive! Trying another hotel now. I hate Thai economics!

'Economics' here is just another word for 'Greed' !

The most common complaint from my friends and others who visit is the price of wine, a couple here for 2 weeks will likely drink 12 to 24 bottles.  They generally have to drink entry level wine as it is just too expensive to order a really nice wine.  Even those that can afford it balk at paying so much tax.

19 hours ago, Will B Good said:

 

I really don't know what to say....that can be posted.

Cry or laugh....hard to say....🤣😭

How about giving everyone 10,000 baht in a digital wallet that they can spend to help revitalise the economy...oh...wait...never mind.

3 hours ago, Dr B said:

We have a very nice Airbnb if you don't mind not being in the city. It is called Thai Teak House. 

 

Have you got a link?

5 hours ago, BritScot said:

Well the wife the wife just tried to book our favourite hotel in Krabi and guess what twice as expensive as high season last year and on certain days 3 times more expensive! Trying another hotel now. I hate Thai economics!

I have been using agoda for the first time in my life works good, hotels are out of control with stupid prices 2k up to 6k for basic hotels for 1 night, dumber and more dumb 

 

 

 

 

Well, I understood that not even 20% of the offerings were taken up. Answer to this might be that people simply do not have any loose change these days to splurge around:

So this "tax boost" might backfire as well, but in two directions. The programme might be a failure while the government is doing nothing but wasting taxpayers money. 

4 minutes ago, Sydebolle said:

The programme might be a failure while the government is doing nothing but wasting taxpayers money. 

 

Well, it's not Thaksin's money, so he obviously wouldn't care. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't benefit monetarily from taxpayers money.

Once Thai accommodation prices start mimicking the West, it's game over for Thailand. Because that's the only thing Thailand has had going for it for years, absolutely nothing else 

38 minutes ago, Toby1947 said:

Once Thai accommodation prices start mimicking the West, it's game over for Thailand. Because that's the only thing Thailand has had going for it for years, absolutely nothing else 

 

Nah.

Pussy is still up there.

Why does the tourism sector fail to register it’s called the “low season” for a reason? Making incentives doesn’t stop the dire political situation affecting the baht, critical for attracting tourists, it’s the rainy season, prices are going up and in Europe it’s summer. 
All the gobbledygook fails to acknowledge the blindingly obvious!

20 hours ago, quake said:

 

Nah.

Pussy is still up there.

Absolutely true and the prices remain stable.