I recently took advantage of the VAT refund for tourist [sic] scheme.

I bought a tablet and paid around 456 Baht in VAT. On the P.P.10 form it showed this amount paid and then had another box entitled "VAT refundable" and the amount of 300 Baht was shown. At Suwannaphoom, I received 300 Baht.

Can anybody explain this discrepancy? i.e. I paid 456 Baht in VAT and got 300 Baht back.

I have 2 theories :

1. There is a processing fee and then they round down to the next 100 Baht down. So 456 Baht - 100 Baht processing fee = 356 Baht which is then rounded down to 300 Baht.

2. The girl in the shop filled in the wrong amount of 300 Baht in the "VAT refundable" box and so that what was I got.

Can anybody shed any light or compare their experience to mine.

You should get exactly what the VAT form stipulates, (less the base few and charges if your payment is by cheque or other non-cash form) provided that the original store receipt is correct and that the shop didn't include things that aren't VAT refund eligible or miscalculate.

I've seen people buy items at places like Tesco, and the customer service staff accidentally includes some consumable items, like food, that aren't eligible.

Normally the customs officer landside at the airport will take a look at the itemized list and remove non-eligible items.. The clerk airside at the Revenue office may also check as well before they approve and payout your refund.

Out of interest, is your visa status checked at any stage of the refund process to confirm that you are actually a tourist?

Here is the VAT Table ---- --less 100baht process fee as already stated--as you will see ---there are fixed amounts for whatever amount applies to your purchase--these brackets start a 500 baht to 4000 baht--above that a percentage

Here is the VAT Table ---- --less 100baht process fee as already stated--as you will see ---there are fixed amounts for whatever amount applies to your purchase--these brackets start a 500 baht to 4000 baht--above that a percentage

Just thinking--don't remember paying the 100 baht in August--maybe they did scrap it after the re-vamp of the VAT re-funds -- someone will confirm that -or not shortly ?

Thanks Bucko, you have solved the mystery.

My tablet cost 6999 Baht so I got 300 Baht, which was rounded down from 356 Baht, from the Revenue Dept.

So now I know.

It seems to me Briggsy--that if I buy something that ends with a .999 baht value-- --to just ask the store to charge an extra baht ---not being kinyow you understand