Tourism and Sports Minister confident tax incentives can stimulate tourism at year’s end

 

BANGKOK, 30th November 2016 (NNT) - The Tourism and Sports Minister is confident that tax incentives will stimulate tourism at the end of the year. 

Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul disclosed today that the Cabinet has approved tax incentives, in light of government assistance to other sectors and in acknowledgement of increased domestic tourism at year's end. 

The incentives apply from December 1st - 31st and will allow for personal tax exemptions of up to 15,000 baht. Combined with other previously approved measures, Thai citizens now can apply for up to 30,000 baht in tax deductions from spending on domestic tourism. 

The minister expressed confidence that Thailand’s economy and tourism in 2017 will continue to show growth. 

Meanwhile, visa fees of 1,000 baht per person will be waived at Thai embassies and consulates, and visa-on-arrival fees will be reduced for three months from December 1st, 2016 to February 28th, 2017 to stimulate tourist arrivals. This year's tourism revenue is expected to meet its target of 2.4 trillion baht and increase to 2.5 trillion baht in 2017.

 

-- nnt 2016-11-30

I don't pretend to be the brightest bulb on the ceiling. but does the OP actually mean anything ?

1 hour ago, berybert said:

I don't pretend to be the brightest bulb on the ceiling. but does the OP actually mean anything ?

 

Yes, they're trying to make up for the shortfall in Chinese tourists this year (probably about a million lower than expected, due to the crackdown on zero-dollar tours) by stimulating domestic tourism.

 

Many Westerners don't seem to realise how huge domestic tourism is here. Total revenues are less than for incoming international tourism, but by not as much as people might assume. Thai tourists far outnumber foreign ones, even if they don't spend as much per day or travel as long. So even a small increase in the length or per-day spend of their trips could have a big impact. That's the plan anyhow. We shall see. 

Write Off 30,000 Baht in Travel Expenses This Year

By Sasiwan Mokkhasen, Staff Reporter

 

Tourist gather to see sunrise Monday at Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai province.

 

BANGKOK — Dig out those travel receipts in Thailand this year for tax deductions of up to 30,000 baht.

 

Travel expenses such as those paid to hotels, restaurants and travel agencies within December can be used for personal income tax deductions not exceeding 15,000 baht in order to boost weak domestic tourism during the year’s end under a plan approved Tuesday by the cabinet.

 

Full Story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/business/2016/11/30/write-off-30000-baht-travel-expenses-year/

 

-- © Copyright Khaosod English 2016-11-30

Foreign tourists spend more than twice domestic tourists on a per capita basis.

It would seem folly to focus instead on the domestic tourists who are more likely to live "off the domestic economy" while on vacation and stay for shorter periods than to upgrade their lifestyle for the sake of a short-period vacation. Especially when they tend to bring the entire family using cheap domestic travel.

Don't you have to pay tax first before you can get a rebate ? How many Thais will this apply to ?

33 minutes ago, dcsw53 said:

Don't you have to pay tax first before you can get a rebate ? How many Thais will this apply to ?

almost none i would say. the upper part of the thai demographic who pay tax are very well off and wont care about small incentives like this and will holiday as normal. end result will most probably be a tax loss for no real benefit.

a friend of mine who has lived and worked here for decades said he believed that it was only foreigners working here who paid any tax. hard to know where the good general gets his money from for his populist spending.

She is starting to look a little thin maybe oozing to much confidence?

Domestic tourism increase does little to boost the economy. Unless there is a surplus of savings the Thai population has, and then decide to spend it. Highly doubt there's such savings among majority of the citizenry. Foreign tourist dollars are what's needed.