Govt currently has no policy to reduce import tax for luxury goods: Finance Minister

[Lite Beer]

Govt currently has no policy to reduce import tax for luxury goods: Finance Minister
By English News

BANGKOK, Sept 29 - Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister/Finance Minister on Sunday affirmed that the government has no forthcoming policy to reduce import tax for luxury goods to support Thailand becoming a shopping paradise.

Kittiratt Na-Ranong urged Thai entrepreneurs to adjust themselves and compete in the world's markets and said other measures can be implemented to attract tourists to visit Thailand, such as trade fairs, visa on arrival, and longer and/or multiple-entry visa permission for tourists.

The Minister said the reduction of import tax for luxury goods has both advantages and disadvantages, while such reduction, if applied, should have clear reasons for it.

Import duties worldwide will in the future eventually be exempted, Mr Kittirat said. The government will protect domestic goods only as long as international trade frameworks allow. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-09-29

[Pib]

Guess this means Thailand won't become a shopping paradise; instead, remain the land of high import taxes.

[bander]

"The Minister said the reduction of import tax for luxury goods has both advantages and disadvantages, while such reduction, if applied, should have clear reasons for it."

Advantages: more tourists shopping original luxury goods :-)

Disadvantages: less "tax" money in the government officials pockets :-(

[CHANGOVER]

''longer and/or multiple-entry visa permission for tourists''

Yes, much better!

May be on the rigjht track to attract tourists.

[Skywalker69]

So what with the plans to be the number one shopping paradise in Asia?

[bigbamboo]

Yeah, I believe him when he says that import duties worldwide will be one day be no more...... along with police bribes, bar fines and politician's kickbacks.

[Thai at Heart]

So he basically had told her in doors to wind her neck in?

Edited September 29, 2013 by Thai at Heart

[chainarong]

It is important to note the Minister quoted, that longer and / or multiple visa entry permission for tourists could be an idea , not bad , seeing as they reduced the arrival card for arriving by rail, car or boat, when the place was being run by Thaskin , another piece of hot air ,from the no action party, solving issues is not a high point in any Ministers portfolio at PTP.

[selftaopath]

So what with the plans to be the number one shopping paradise in Asia?

The "plans" are to talk talk talk. A typical political action and sometimes accompanied with a smile.

[jackr]

Rip off Thailand.

[eddie61]

I wonder if kingpower "duty free" has any influeence in the matter? They seem to get just about every sweet deal on the table.

[laurentbkk]

I am not sure , rich tourists come to Thailand to buy LV bags or other expensive items .... Rich Thais usually buy those goods abroad as they can afford to travel around..

[hawker9000]

Dear Mr. Minister,

Thanks for the update. Yeah, that's pretty much what I thought when I heard the original announcement. TIT.

[Skywalker69]

So what with the plans to be the number one shopping paradise in Asia?

The "plans" are to talk talk talk. A typical political action and sometimes accompanied with a smile.

You´r right. I remember PM Yingluck once said she will have people to plant trees to ease the floodings.

[fareastguy]

If the "import tax" on luxury goods were to be dropped then "her indoors" would have to justify all her overseas trips with a little more transparency!!

[MaxLee]

Of course, the chief of financial pig faces wouldn't reduce the import taxes, because Thailand thanks to the rice pledging scams and etc. has become a country of Imports instead of exports...

In other words, the government feudal folks rather take, than share with the world economics...

[djlest]

Yes we will not reduce tax on LUXURY GOODS because 40% on makeup and 200% on cars is absolutely fine??????
You cannot take Candy from a baby basically - just like the jetski mafi is still exploiting Pattaya, and the scams still go on.
Too many officials are earning and the money goes up hill - why would they cut of the hands that feed them oh so well?
Forget about ASEAN in 2015 - Thailand will never be a fair player...

[kurnell]

Cheese is a luxury yes? My Buddha, in Thailand a Hawaiian pizza is up there with foie gras and truffles

[MrSlatersParrot]

It's ridiculous. We've got to queue up for vat refunds at heathrow for her indoors LV bag(s).

Should be the same price world wide.

Had a nice Malbec in soho last night in soho at @siam (good thai restaurant).

Coming back to Heineken. So much wine is dodgy in Thailand.

Over in hongkong for instance they scrapped duty on wine imports as the Chinese buy more luxury wines than the Americans.

That's the way to go.

Maybe Volkswagen may start making Porsches in Los one day.

To see someone in a Mercedes day in the UK does not automatically make you wonder where the money came from or who got screwed.

[belg]

they can always be and remain the HUB OF FAKE GOODS SHOPPING PARADISE

[mrtoad]

The import duties, means that the fake good / copy market can flourish, and also prevent pesky commoners from purchasing fairly normal goods due to the prices. It's all about keeping Somchai in his place.