Thai malls ready to cash in on tax initiative

[webfact]

Malls ready to cash in on tax initiative
KWANCHAI RUNGFAPAISARN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- MAJOR SHOPPING MALLS have launched campaigns to support the government’s tax-rebate initiative aimed at stimulating year-end spending by shoppers during the festive season.

Effective since Friday, taxpayers can get a tax rebate on purchases worth up to Bt15,000.

Siam Piwat backed the government policy by unveiling an attractive year-end campaign "The Season of Siam Celebration" to woo shoppers until December 31. The campaign allows shoppers to select the right gifts for their loved ones and to have a chance to win a number of world-class prizes.

Chanisa Kaewruen, the executive vice president of marketing and business relations at Siam Piwat, said that each year marketing promotion campaigns for year-end and the upcoming year were one of the biggest promotional activities. Every shopping centre would launch its own smart strategies to attract local and international shoppers to spend during the high season.

This year, Siam Paragon and Siam Center are launching "The Season of Siam Celebration" campaign, offering year-end promotions. The highlight of this is a range of world-class prizes, which will be given away to customers. Shoppers spending Bt2,000 and more will have a chance to win a grand prize - a luxurious BMW 320i M Sport and many other prizes such as Siam Gift Card and Club 21 gift card. Members of Platinum M Card, Viz Card, Aeon credit card, True, and Muang Thai Smile Club will be granted a double coupon.

To support the government's special tax deduction, Siam Paragon and Siam Center are preparing a series of prizes to be given away as part of a sales boost. Shoppers spending Bt30,000 and more will instantly get an exclusive gift from renowned brands at Siam Paragon and Siam Center. They will have a chance to win a one-of-a-kind prize, the first-ever made in Thailand - a limited-edition Snow Globe.

Those who spend Bt50,000 or more at Siam Paragon will instantly get a limited-edition Siam Paragon-Patterned Snow Globe. Those who spend Bt30,000 or more at Siam Center will also get a limited-edition Siam Center-Patterned Snow Globe. These are limited in number and will attract a lot of interest from local and international shoppers.

Siam Paragon and Siam Center are giving importance to customers who join their membership. The first 15 members of Platinum M Card with top spending will be granted an exclusive trip to Japan with luxury accommodation and a Michelin-star dining experience. The first six members of VIZ Card with top spending will win an iPhone 6s as well.

"We are confident that shoppers will enjoy 'The Season of Siam Celebration' campaign, which encourages them to spend during the year-end festival. Moreover, the government's policy will enliven the shopping atmosphere ahead of the New Year celebration. Shops in the two shopping centres will get agreeable sales," Chanisa said.

Meanwhile, Big C Supercenter has responded to the latest tax deduction measure by launching a marketing promotion "Shop Puer Chat" (Shop for the Nation) to stimulate spending until year-end. Special discounts will be offered on electric appliances, smartphones, gadgets and more. The measure, effective since Friday, allows shoppers with receipts of goods and services spent from December 25 to 31 a tax deduction on spending up to Bt15,000.

Warunee Kitjaroenpoonsin, director of corporate affairs, said Big C welcomed this initiative by introducing a marketing promotion "Shop Puer Chat" (Shop for the Nation) to create an even more pleasant shopping environment. Discounts will be offered on applied to different highlight products such as LED TVs, smart phones, gadgets and electric appliances, making a total number of over 15,000 sale items altogether.

"To cope with the increase in the number of customers, we have more printers ready for receipt requests and more staff stationed at the customer service counter of each store. However, customers need to be aware that the tax deduction measure does not cover purchase of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, fuel and gas for all types of vehicles. In addition, customers are advised to get the full receipt at the same store where they purchase the goods, on the day of purchase. With the implementation of this measure, we estimate sales will increase by around 10-20 per cent," she said.

Anawat Sangkhasap, head of marketing line at Robinson Department Store, said the company was glad to provide support for the government's tax incentive, to help boost spending at the year-end. This measure will contribute good results by stimulating consumer spending, which will benefit the overall economy, as well as provide a positive psychological effect to consumers who spend their money. Anawat suggested that the government extend the measure to give individual shoppers more time to participate.

"At Robinson, we have allocated more than Bt80 million budget for the big campaign at the year-end, which is the peak shopping season. They include "All About Gifts 2016" to be held from December 8, 2015 to January 3 next year at all Robinson stores throughout the Kingdom. The campaign will allow The One Card members to collect points and redeem for discount coupons of up to 50 per cent. They will get a chance to win big prizes, worth up to more than Bt2.6 million altogether," Anawat said.

He said Robinson had also launched a campaign to respond to the government's tax deduction move by giving The One Card members with accumulated purchases of up to Bt15,000 on one day a Robinson Gift Card worth Bt300 free of charge. The campaign will run until December 31.

"Robinson, which operates 42 department stores throughout the Kingdom, expects Bt3.05 billion in sales in December this year. However, in the last seven days of this year, the company believes the number of shoppers will increase by not less than 20 per cent and the sales this month will increase by approximately Bt600 million from the previous target," Anawat said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Malls-ready-to-cash-in-on-tax-initiative-30275762.html


-- The Nation 2015-12-28

[rubl]

"Shop Puer Chat" (Shop for the Nation)

The campaign is already a major success

"BANGKOK:-- PEOPLE IN 40 provinces are burdened by off-system debts worth up to Bt1 billion, the Justice Ministry’s Legal Aid Centre for Debtors and Victims of Injustice revealed recently."

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/881463-many-thais-weighed-down-by-debts/

[webfact]

New tax deduction scheme well-received by shoppers



BANGKOK, 28 December 2015 (NNT) - The government’s ‘shopping for nation’ campaign has been well-received by the public after it was introduced on Friday.

Government Spokesperson Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha was pleased with the campaign. Shoppers are able to claim tax deductions by presenting receipts to the Revenue Department.

Products must be bought within the last seven days of this year. The scheme allows for as much as 15,000 baht in tax deductions. Gen Prayut has advised people to only buy enough items to fulfill their household needs and to ensure that their purchases are eligible for the tax deduction scheme.

The campaign excludes certain products, including alcoholic beverages, tobacco, gas, life insurance, fresh foods and plastic surgery.

It should be noted that tax deductions only reduce the amount of taxable income. For instance, purchasing 15,000 baht's worth of goods will reduce income tax by 1,500 baht for those in the 10% tax bracket and 750 baht for those in the 5% tax bracket.

-- NNT 2015-12-28

[hanuman2543]

Is that the same cheat like last year? I went to several big chains like Robinsons, Powerbuy etc and nobody knew anything about uncle T's presents for his "happy" citizens.

[kartman]

So the woman scratching her head is thinking only 1500baht on those goods

[taony]

Hurry up and book your flights! You could qualify to get a snow globe!!!

[DrTuner]

Now I know why they have to ask Prayuth if he's pleased or not. Need to know if it's OK to like, only if the Man from Del Monte says yes. Good to see he approves of driving the underlings deeper into debt.

[Somtamnication]

Da <deleted> is a snow globe?

[elgordo38]

Looks like a watered down version of the car rebate program. Seems funny coming from a government that does not believe in socialist policies. I guess there could be a last bit of credit breath left that money mad merchants can squeeze out of the country's over indebted citizenery. Looks like one more mad binge before the reality of 2016 sets in. Oh woe is me looks like 2016 could be a hangover year for the pocketbook. I guess a good indicator will be the lineups at the government hock shops.

[MaxLee]

New tax deduction scheme well-received by shoppers

Discount for trash in disguise................

[Doc46]

Nice crap scheme to give away a few Baht to make Millions at the cost of people who are going to overspend

[Thian]

What's your problem guys?

It's very busy in the malls since christmas, in the skytrain you hear english language everywhere.

My wife has her 15K taxdeduction and new presents. We had a great time shopping/eating in the malls.

We live in the subs of BKK but it's like coming to the civilised world when being in the heart of BKK.

Malls are great! Much better then markets or streetshops and the price is the same but service much better.

Or are you just jealous that Tesco doesn't have the taxrefund?

[ratcatcher]

What's your problem guys?

It's very busy in the malls since christmas, in the skytrain you hear english language everywhere.

My wife has her 15K taxdeduction and new presents. We had a great time shopping/eating in the malls.

We live in the subs of BKK but it's like coming to the civilised world when being in the heart of BKK.

Malls are great! Much better then markets or streetshops and the price is the same but service much better.

Or are you just jealous that Tesco doesn't have the taxrefund?

"We live in the subs of BKK but it's like coming to the civilised world when being in the heart of BKK."

Amazing, considering we are constantly reminded by some disgruntled ThaiVisa members that we are living in a Third World country.

[Thian]

What's your problem guys?

It's very busy in the malls since christmas, in the skytrain you hear english language everywhere.

My wife has her 15K taxdeduction and new presents. We had a great time shopping/eating in the malls.

We live in the subs of BKK but it's like coming to the civilised world when being in the heart of BKK.

Malls are great! Much better then markets or streetshops and the price is the same but service much better.

Or are you just jealous that Tesco doesn't have the taxrefund?

"We live in the subs of BKK but it's like coming to the civilised world when being in the heart of BKK."

Amazing, considering we are constantly reminded by some disgruntled ThaiVisa members that we are living in a Third World country.

There's a big difference between the subs and the heart of BKK, many more rats in the city though! You should catch them.

I don't see BKK as a third world city, too many big cars driving around here.

[LALes]

I'm gonna drop everything and run right down there so I can spend $1,000 on a chance to win a sno-globe.

Unless it comes with auto-suck, just another example of the limited mentality of the average consumer here.