Answered2 years ago

Can you get a VAT refund on purchases when leaving Thailand with a DTV tourist visa?

VAT Refund DTV Visa Tourist Visa Thailand Tax Regulations Immigration Rules

Anonymous *************

asked Nov 1, 2024

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Can you get the tourist vat refund on purchases when leaving Thailand for a week if you have the DTV?

Answer summary

The discussion revolves around whether tourists with a DTV (Digital Tourist Visa) can claim a VAT refund on their purchases when leaving Thailand after a short trip. Commenters express skepticism, suggesting that such a scenario could be manipulated for financial gain by frequent travelers, and highlight potential scrutiny from authorities regarding the validity of the VAT refund claims.

9 repliesnewest first

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Paulie ********

It's a tourist visa so why not .....?

2 years ago

Greg ********

@Paulie *******

Like anywhere tax free goods have to be outside the country a certain period.

2 years ago

Derek ***********

Thailand is not the place that you want to be playing games in order to beat the system 😉

2 years ago

Derek ***********

I imagine that they will check your visa

2 years ago

Charles **********

Interesting but I’m gonna guess probably not. This could easily be abused by thousands.

Buying lots of expensive things and then doing a border bounce

2 years ago

Greg ********

@Charles *********

What items are cheaper in Thailand to take advantage of this? Watches cheaper in Singapore or Switzerland. Thai fly there for the high end. Electronics not cheap in Thailand. VAT is only 7%. Not much room for arbitrage?

Charles **********

Apple products?

Greg ********

Are they cheaper here than elsewhere? I have no idea but it seems a lot of effort for little return given costs of travel etc. For many other products you see Thais flying to Singapore. I remember the Thai girls at a company I worked at would buy bags etc on business trips as much cheaper ie going to Belgium they woukd do a day trip to Paris for LV etc. We used to laugh about it.

2 years ago

Greg ********

Interesting. The DTV is a tourist visa so why not?

2 years ago