We realized that we are eligible for VAT refund after reading a brochure at the cashier when we did a shopping at Krabi Outlet Village. To claim VAT refund, the steps actually are quite easy.
3 steps to claim VAT refund in Thailand
- Shop at the store displaying
- Ask for the form P.P.10 and original tax invoices when your purchase is at least 2,000 baht (VAT included) per store per day. Form P.P.10 is important. You can’t claim your VAT refund without this. To ask for that form, you need to present your purchase receipt as well as your passport. Just don’t forget to ask this form at the store you made your purchase.
- Before loading your luggage at the International Airport, show your purchases at the Customs Office. This counter is located in the departure hall of Krabi airport T1, before check-in/ baggage drop. When you are at the counter, you just need to show the P.P.10 and with your passport. The officer will authorize the form by a stamp and signature. Without this stamp, you cannot proceed with the refund.
- Submit form P.P.10 and all original tax invoices to collect your refund at the VAT Refund Office after the passport control. At this counter, the officer will examine your tax refund documents. If everything is ok, then you will get the refund. You can choose the method of refund payment, either cash, bank draft or credit to your credit card.
Things to note
- Krabi Airport can be crowded. Spare enough time for VAT refund procedure as well as queuing for check-in.
- Please check your document after leaving the check-in counter. The check-in counter staff might forget to put your P.P.10 form back into your passport. It happened to us. Thankfully we realized it before we enter passport control. So, hubby had to rush back to the check-in counter to get the form.
General Information
Before claiming VAT refund, there is some general information that is good to know.
Who can claim a VAT Refund?
- is not a Thai nationality
- is not an airline crew member departing Thailand on duty.
- Departs Thailand from an international airport.
- Purchases goods from stores displaying a “VAT REFUND FOR TOURISTS” sign.
- Present the goods and submit the VAT Refund Application for Tourist form(P.P10) and original tax invoices to the Customs officers immediately before check-in for departure from Thailand.
Conditions of VAT refund
- VAT refund only applies to goods taken out of Thailand with the traveler within 60 days from the date of purchase.
- Goods must be purchased from stores displaying the “VAT REFUND FOR TOURISTS” sign.
- Goods must be at least 2,000 baht including VAT and must be purchased from each supplier at the amount of at least 2,000 baht per day.
How will the refund be paid?
- Refund amount not exceeding 30,000 baht, will be made in cash (Thai baht) or by bank draft or credit to your credit card account.
- Refund amount exceeding 30,000 baht, will be made by bank draft or credit to your credit card account.
Locations of VAT return counter
In Thailand, cash refund (refund is 30,000 baht or less) is now available at 8 major international airports which are as follows:
- Suvarnabhumi, Donmueang, Phuket, Chiangmai (24 hours a day)
- Hat Yai, Krabi, Koh Samui, U-Tapao (available when international airline counter is open)
The reasons why requests are disapproved
- Carry a diplomatic passport and reside in Thailand.
- An airline crew member departing Thailand on duty.
- Goods were not taken out of Thailand within 60 days from the date of purchase.
- You did not depart Thailand by an air carrier from an international airport.
- The name or the passport number on the original tax invoice attached to the VAT Refund Application for Tourist form (P.P. 10) is not yours.
- Value of goods purchased is less than 2,000 baht per day per store.
- VAT Refund Application for Tourist form ( P.P. 10) was not prepared on the date of purchase.
- A total value of the goods claimed for refund is less than 2,000 baht.
- Original tax invoices were not attached to the VAT Refund Application for Tourist form ( P.P. 10).
- You did not carry the goods out of Thailand on the day of your departure.
- Goods were not purchased from participating shops in the VAT refund for tourists scheme.
- The quantity of goods shown in the VAT Refund Application for Tourist form ( P.P. 10) is less than that shown in the original tax invoice.
- Goods were taken out of Thailand without being inspected by Customs officers or by Revenue officers.
- Luxury goods were taken out of Thailand without being checked by the Revenue officers.
- Some of the tax invoices attached to the VAT Refund Application for Tourist form ( P.P. 10) were issued from a different store that mentioned on the form.
What if I have no chance to submit the documents?
Any tourist who follows the VAT refund procedure in accordance with the laws and regulations but has no chance to submit documentation to the Revenue Officer at the airport has the right to claim VAT refund within 3 years from purchase date. The tourist who is determined to claim VAT refund by bank draft or credit card (please specify how to receive VAT refund) can send the following documents by mail:
- the original VAT refund application (P.P.10) and the original tax invoice,
- photocopies of claimant’s passport showing his or her picture, immigration stamps showing arrival and departure dates,
- a photocopy of claimant’s credit card(Visa, MasterCard, Diners or JCB only) showing name, account number and expiry date of credit card (allow two months for refund processing so it should not expire in the next two months),
- Please write your complete address on the P.P.10 and send us the above documents by mail to
Source for general information: http://vrtmap.rd.go.th
To see what other fun activities you can do in Krabi, please see this post.