VAT refund on thai elite visa ?

[JohnnyBKK]

Hello,

I'm considering the thai elite visa as the thai child visa seems difficult to have.

Will i get VAT refund on the elite visa as it's a tourist visa and tourists get VAT refunded when they exit the country ?

Best regards,

[MJCM]

55555 and when you come back to Thailand pay them the VAT back again.

Nah I don't think so.

IMO Vat Refund is only for electronic goods etc etc and not for Visa's

Read more about VAT Refund here: http://www.customs.go.th/wps/wcm/connect/custen/travellers/tourist+refund+scheme/touristrefundscheme

[JohnnyBKK]

Thai elite is a tourist visa, therefore you are a tourist so you can claim VAT refund normally. It's designed for tourists, elite tourists or not it should be the same no ?

[MJCM]

Thai elite is a tourist visa, therefore you are a tourist so you can claim VAT refund normally. It's designed for tourists, elite tourists or not it should be the same no ?

The VAT Refund for Tourist is for goods, and a VISA is not a good but a service.

But you are free to check the ThaiElite site if they carry the "Vat Refund for Tourist" sign, which all participating stores should have.

Purchasing goods from shops that participate in the VAT Refund for Tourists' scheme. Look for VAT refund for tourist sign displaying at the stores.

Link: http://www.suvarnabhumiairport.com/en/1387-vat-refunds

[expatbrit]

Thai elite is a tourist visa, therefore you are a tourist so you can claim VAT refund normally. It's designed for tourists, elite tourists or not it should be the same no ?

Buy the visa. Claim the VAT refund .

Then write and tell us the outcome.

[elviajero]

Thai elite is a tourist visa, therefore you are a tourist so you can claim VAT refund normally. It's designed for tourists, elite tourists or not it should be the same no ?

The VAT Refund for Tourist is for goods, and a VISA is not a good but a service.

But you are free to check the ThaiElite site if they carry the "Vat Refund for Tourist" sign, which all participating stores should have.

Purchasing goods from shops that participate in the VAT Refund for Tourists' scheme. Look for VAT refund for tourist sign displaying at the stores.

Link: http://www.suvarnabhumiairport.com/en/1387-vat-refunds

I don't think the OP is looking for a VAT refund on the purchase of the Elite Visa.

[MJCM]

^ I understand what you are getting at, so maybe the OP should explain it a bit more.

Does he wants ?

a- Buy the Elite Visa and claim the VAT back on the purchase of the VISA when he leaves the country

b- Buy the Elite Visa and claim the VAT back on the purchase of GOODS when he leaves the country

[LivinLOS]

Surely its very obviously B..

Tho as they are charging VAT would be kind of comical to try.

[MJCM]

Surely its very obviously B..

Tho as they are charging VAT would be kind of comical to try.

The OP hasn't been back to answer, so my guess it was A.

[bamukloy]

I suspect he was taking the wee-wee.

But maybe he inadvertantly wishes to raise a few completely different issues?..

How much % of the elite visa fee goes to tax?

In whose pockets does it actually go ? AND whose pockets is it supposed to go?

[MJCM]

^ who cares ? If you pay for the visa, and you are happy that you got it.

What happens with the money after that who cares.

[bamukloy]

^ who cares ? If you pay for the visa, and you are happy that you got it.

What happens with the money after that who cares.

^^ just one example:

If any of it flowed back to the guy that originally brainstormed the idea, there would be an uproar. On TV anyway

[MJCM]

Of course it will but discussing that is the shortest way to have this thread closed.

Respect

[JohnnyBKK]

Ok, so on elite visa you can get VAT refund all year around. Dixit the elite sales men.

So this visa is worth a lot more now as you can claim VAT refund while living here.

[MJCM]

But understand that when you bring the goods back in to Thailand, you can get charged to pay the VAT again.

Also when you bring the items in to for example "Schengen" then you also have a chance to get charged (their) VAT.

The above is something worth considering

[JohnnyBKK]

Yes sure but if your items are opened then how and why would they charge you for personal effects ?

Let's say you buy a phone, you get VAT refund and 3 days later you come back, no one is going to check if the same phone that's in your pocket got VAT refunded before you leave.

Assuming this, this visa is worth a bit more than what i thought. The elite visa guy confirmed all of this.

[MJCM]

Oke, point taken, but whatif they (Thai customs) going to ask you for the Bill that you purchased it in Thailand ???

edit: Remember the rule about only 30.000 THB worth of stuff you are allowed to bring in (not sure if they are strict with it, maybe ask in the Airport forum)

[LivinLOS]

But understand that when you bring the goods back in to Thailand, you can get charged to pay the VAT again.

Also when you bring the items in to for example "Schengen" then you also have a chance to get charged (their) VAT.

The above is something worth considering

They only charge it on new items..

Well schengen does anyway..

[MJCM]

But understand that when you bring the goods back in to Thailand, you can get charged to pay the VAT again.

Also when you bring the items in to for example "Schengen" then you also have a chance to get charged (their) VAT.

The above is something worth considering

They only charge it on new items..

Well schengen does anyway..

But the stuff JohnnyBKK will take out of Thailand will be new stuff

But Schengen tries it even on "older" stuff.

Personal Experience

Flew back from Thailand to Schengen, went through customs, suitcase through the X-Ray. Customs Officer saw a pair of glasses.

Customs: "Did you buy them in Thailand" ?

Me: "No, as you can see I wear glasses and I have an extra pair, just in case"

Customs: "Open suitcase"

Long story short he inspected the glasses and finally got convinced that it was a 2nd pair and let me through.