Bangkok, 16 December, 2022 – Further enhancing Thailand’s reputation as a popular shopping destination for travellers from around the world, is the VAT Refund for Tourists scheme which offers holidaymakers a refund on goods they purchase during their trip.

To qualify for the refund, goods must be purchased from stores displaying the ‘VAT Refund for Tourists’ sign, and be to the value of at least 2,000 Baht (VAT included) per day per store. The total value of all goods purchased must be at least 5,000 Baht per person per trip.

The goods must be taken out of Thailand by the tourist within 60 days of the date of purchase through any of the international airports in Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang), Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Hat Yai, U-Tapao, Krabi, and Samui.

In the case the VAT refund is made at a refund location in the city, departure from Thailand must be within 14 days of this date.

Here are some important points to remember:

At the time of purchase

When purchasing the goods, the tourist must present his/her passport and ask the store to issue a VAT Refund Application for Tourists form (P.P.10) along with the original tax invoice/s for the purchase. The passport number must be correct on the form.

*In the case of consumable goods, these must be sealed along with the message ‘No Consumption Made While in Thailand’.

At the airport when departing Thailand

The purchased goods, of which the total value must be 5,000 Baht or more, must be presented along with the VAT Refund Application for Tourists form and original tax invoice/s to a customs officer for inspection before check-in.

In the case of luxury goods (jewellery, gold, ornaments, watch, eyeglasses, pen, mobile or smart phone, laptop or tablet, handbag, and/or belt) of which the value is 10,000 Baht or more per item, and carry-on goods of which the value is 50,000 Baht or more per item, these must be hand carried and showed again at the VAT Refund for Tourists Office after passing through immigration.    

At the VAT Refund for Tourists Office, if the refund amount is not over 30,000 Baht with insurance for the tax refund amount, the payment will be made in cash (Thai Baht).

The refund can also be claimed by post to the Revenue Department of Thailand, or by drop-box in front of the VAT Refund for Tourists Office at the airport, and at the downtown refund office locations.

The post Thailand offers ‘VAT Refund’ for tourists appeared first on TAT Newsroom.

Bangkok, 16 December, 2022 – The many wonderful flower festivals are taking place in December 2022 and January 2023 in the north of Thailand, when the temperature is comfortably lower and various species of flower are in full bloom.

This is the time when the renowned Bua Tong (wild sunflower) carpets the countryside of Doi Mae U Kho in Mae Hong Son province in brilliant yellow, and beautiful pink cherry blossoms are in full splendour in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, while millions of red lotuses adorn Nong Han freshwater lake in Udon Thani in the Northeast. Nearer to Bangkok, there are the dazzling yellow sunflowers at Phattana Nikhom in Lop Buri to admire.

Here are some of the flower festivals to visit, and to enjoy during what is the best time to travel for tourists – when the temperature and humidity is lower, making for more comfortable travels.

CHIANG MAI

Flora Festival 2022

Now until 28 February, 2023 at Royal Park Rajaphruek

Charming Chiang Mai Flower Festival 2023

16 December, 2022 – 2 January, 2023 at the 82nd Anniversary Chaloem Phrakiat Park

CHIANG RAI

9th “Colours of Doi Tung” Festival

Every Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays from now until 29 January, 2023, at Doi Tung Development Project, Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai Flower & Art Festival 2022

24 December 2022 – 8 January 2023, at the Mae Kok Riverside Flower Park

19th Chiang Rai Beautiful Flowers

29 December, 2022 – 29 January, 2023 at Suan Tung and Khom

Chiang Rai ASEAN Flower Festival 2022

30 December, 2022 – 4 January, 2023 at various locations in Wiang Chiang Rung District, Chiang Saen District, and Wiang Kaen District

NAKHON RATCHASIMA

Jim Thompson Farm Tour 2022

Now until 2 January, 2023 at the Jim Thompson Farm – located around 260 km from Bangkok

For those wanting to combine the picturesque North and Northeast with the stunning beaches of Southern Thailand on their holiday, this is also a great time to do so with the Southern region not overly hot or humid during December to February.

Popular spots like Phuket, Krabi, and the Phi Phi Islands on the west coast of the Thai peninsula are best visited from November through April, while great underwater visibility means December is a good time for diving and snorkelling.

Spots like Samui and Phangan Island on the eastern side of the peninsula, in the Gulf of Thailand, are best visited from December to June.

The post Thailand is blooming with flower festivals from December 2022-January 2023 appeared first on TAT Newsroom.

Bangkok, 16 December, 2022 – The many wonderful flower festivals are taking place in December 2022 and January 2023 in the north of Thailand, when the temperature is comfortably lower and various species of flower are in full bloom.

This is the time when the renowned Bua Tong (wild sunflower) carpets the countryside of Doi Mae U Kho in Mae Hong Son province in brilliant yellow, and beautiful pink cherry blossoms are in full splendour in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, while millions of red lotuses adorn Nong Han freshwater lake in Udon Thani in the Northeast. Nearer to Bangkok, there are the dazzling yellow sunflowers at Phattana Nikhom in Lop Buri to admire.

Here are some of the flower festivals to visit, and to enjoy during what is the best time to travel for tourists – when the temperature and humidity is lower, making for more comfortable travels.

CHIANG MAI

Flora Festival 2022

Now until 28 February, 2023 at Royal Park Rajaphruek

Charming Chiang Mai Flower Festival 2023

16 December, 2022 – 2 January, 2023 at the 82nd Anniversary Chaloem Phrakiat Park

CHIANG RAI

9th “Colours of Doi Tung” Festival

Every Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays from now until 29 January, 2023, at Doi Tung Development Project, Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai Flower & Art Festival 2022

24 December 2022 – 8 January 2023, at the Mae Kok Riverside Flower Park

19th Chiang Rai Beautiful Flowers

29 December, 2022 – 29 January, 2023 at Suan Tung and Khom

Chiang Rai ASEAN Flower Festival 2022

30 December, 2022 – 4 January, 2023 at various locations in Wiang Chiang Rung District, Chiang Saen District, and Wiang Kaen District

NAKHON RATCHASIMA

Jim Thompson Farm Tour 2022

Now until 2 January, 2023 at the Jim Thompson Farm – located around 260 km from Bangkok

For those wanting to combine the picturesque North and Northeast with the stunning beaches of Southern Thailand on their holiday, this is also a great time to do so with the Southern region not overly hot or humid during December to February.

Popular spots like Phuket, Krabi, and the Phi Phi Islands on the west coast of the Thai peninsula are best visited from November through April, while great underwater visibility means December is a good time for diving and snorkelling.

Spots like Samui and Phangan Island on the eastern side of the peninsula, in the Gulf of Thailand, are best visited from December to June.

The post Thailand is blooming with flower festivals from December 2022-January 2023 appeared first on TAT Newsroom.

Bangkok, 13 December, 2022 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to announce that the “Amazing MuayThai Festival 2023” will be held at Rajabhat Park in the famous seaside resort of Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan province, on 4-6 February, 2023.

TAT is organising this exciting event together with the Royal Thai Army, the Ministry of Culture, Sports Authority of Thailand, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, the province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, and private sector partners.

The Amazing MuayThai Festival aims to promote cultural tourism and is in line with the Thai government’s policy to promote Thailand’s soft-power foundations, which include Food, Film, Fashion, Fight, and Festival.

Mr. Apichai Chatchalermkit, TAT Deputy Governor of Tourism Products and Business, said “In addition to promoting Muay Thai as a national heritage and a world-famous element of Thai culture, the Amazing MuayThai Festival is also an opportunity to create economic value and generate income for Thailand through sports tourism.”

The festival’s date of 4-6 February coincides with ‘National Muay Thai Day’ which falls on 6 February every year, to commemorate the day Somdej Phrasanphet – commonly known as Phra Chao Suea – ascended the throne. His Majesty was known for his mastery of Muay Thai, with his techniques still being taught today.

Among the activities on the program of the festival are a Wai Kru ceremony with 5,000 participants to set a new Guinness World Record on 6 February. The Wai Kru ceremony is a ritual performed by fighters before a fight.

There will also be a Muay Thai exhibition, Muay Thai industry promotional activities, and sales of merchandise and local cuisine to enjoy.

The nearby Sea Pine Beach area will be designated for Muay Thai training, Muay Thai practice with Muay Thai superstars, an international amateur Muay Thai tournament, and Muay Thai World Championship showdowns.

Hua Hin Municipality will also be holding a Muay Thai festival and “Street Fight” competition.

Muay Thai, also known as Thai boxing, is a unique Thai martial art form that combines grace and flow and utilises the hands, elbows, knees and shins as weapons. Thus it is also sometimes referred to as the ‘art of eight limbs’. Popular worldwide, it can trace its history back to at least the 16th Century.

More information on the Amazing Muay Thai Festival 2023 can be found at:
Facebook page Amazing MuayThai Festival
Website: www.amazingmuaythaifestival.com
Instagram: @amazingmuaythaifestival

All photos: The “Amazing MuayThai Festival 2023” press conference at the Royal Thai Army Headquarters.

The post ‘Amazing MuayThai Festival 2023’ set to thrill spectators in Hua Hin seaside setting appeared first on TAT Newsroom.

Bangkok, 3 December, 2022 – Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha presided over the opening ceremony of the World Athletics Global Running Conference 2022 (WAGRC 2022), and extended his best wishes to delegates attending the three-day gathering in the Thai capital as well as runners participating in the world-class Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok 2022 (ATMBKK 2022).

Also present at the ceremony were officials and figures from the Thai public and private sector relating to sports and tourism, including H.E. Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports, and Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

The WAGRC 2022 is taking place from 1-3 December, and is also incorporating the Mass Participation World Conference.  

In addition, the Conference is being timed in the lead up to the ATMBKK 2022 on 4 December, which is expected to be attended by some 25,000 runners.

The hosting of the WAGRC 2022 and the ATMBKK 2022 are part of the 3 world-class athletics events scheduled for this year under the partnership between Thailand and the World Athletics – the world governing body for the sport of track and field athletics.

The two events followed the inaugural Amazing Thailand World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, from 3-6 November, 2022.

TAT anticipates all three events to draw some 35,000 Thai and foreign participants, and generate 950 million Baht circulating capital for the Thai economy.

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said “Sports tourism forms part of TAT’s strategies to revitalise Thai tourism post-pandemic, by driving travel demand from key source markets focusing on various segments including hyper-personalisation groups. Hosting of world championship events helps showcase Thailand’s ability to host world-class sporting events.”

The post Thai PM opens World Athletics Global Running Conference 2022 in Bangkok appeared first on TAT Newsroom.

Bangkok, 3 December, 2022 – Air Canada’s inaugural non-stop flight from Vancouver touched down at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport this morning, marking a milestone for the new accessibility between North America and Thailand.

Present at the special welcome ceremony were H.E. Dr. Sarah Taylor, Ambassador of Canada to Thailand, Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, Mr. Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Europe, Africa, Middle East and Americas, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and Mr. Virgilio Russi, Vice President International Sales, Air Canada.

Mr. Siripakorn said “This direct Vancouver-Bangkok service will certainly pave the way for many more mutual partnerships between the Canadian and Thai tourism industry. It will also strengthen Thailand as a preferred long-haul holiday destination for travellers from North America.”

Air Canada’s latest Vancouver-Bangkok flight is estimated to increase air seat capacity from North America to Thailand by approximately 5,000 seats per month.

The flight will be operated four times per week utilising a 298-seat Boeing 787-900 Dreamliner aircraft. The flying time is 13-16 hours one way.

The Vancouver-Bangkok service offers accessibility options to Thailand for travellers from Canada as well as from 14 US cities served with direct service to Vancouver by Air Canada. The airline also operates from its Toronto and Montreal hubs to 60 US cities.

The flight enables travellers from North America to escape winter and enjoy Thailand at its finest during the annual cool season with its warm and sunny weather, and warm Thai hospitality, Mr. Siripakorn added.

TAT is promoting the “Visit Thailand Year 2022-2023: Amazing New Chapters” in the Canadian market aiming for all segments, including Gen Z (Post Millennial), Millennials or Gen Y, Gen X, and Baby Boomers.

Key emphasis is on meaningful travel experiences that highlight the Amazing Thailand NFT products – Nature to keep, Food to explore, and Thainess to discover.

To promote the new Vancouver-Bangkok service, TAT with support from Air Canada hosted a fam trip for 10 media participants and influencers from Canada from 1-13 December, 2022. The trip features meaningful travel experiences in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Krabi, and Phuket.

TAT has been working closely with Air Canada to boost tourism to Thailand. Past activities included sales promotions, marketing events and initiatives, and fam trips for trade and media. A number of joint campaigns for consumer and trade are in the pipeline for 2023.

Canada is Thailand’s second largest market from the Americas. From January to September, 2022, Thailand welcomed 39,950 Canadian tourists, with the number expected to reach over 72,000 by the end of the year. The average length of stay of Canadian tourists is 18 days, and the spending per trip is 76,000 Baht.

Mr. Siripakorn Cheawsamoot

The post Bangkok welcomes Air Canada’s seasonal non-stop flight from Vancouver appeared first on TAT Newsroom.