Thailand announces new tax refund scheme to boost consumption

Thailand has announced a new tax refund scheme to stimulate domestic spending and encourage the use of electronic invoices.
Thailand announces new tax refund scheme to boost consumption ảnh 1The programme “Easy E-Receipt” allows individuals to claim a tax deduction of up to 50,000 THB (1,400 USD) for purchases made from businesses using the e-tax system from January 1 to February 15 next year. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)

Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand has announced a new taxrefund scheme to stimulate domestic spending and encourage the use ofelectronic invoices.

Pornchai Thiraveja, Spokesman of the Finance Ministryand Chief of the Fiscal Policy Office, said that the programme “Easy E-Receipt”allows individuals to claim a tax deduction of up to 50,000 THB (1,400 USD)for purchases made from businesses using the e-tax system from January 1 toFebruary 15 next year.

However, the rebate excludes expenditures on alcoholicbeverages, tobacco, vehicles, and certain utilities and services like mobilephones, Internet service and non-life insurance, Pornchai noted.

According to the official, the programme, part of thegovernment’s economic stimulus measures, aims to boost the economy and persuadebusinesses to adopt the e-tax system. Business information on issuingelectronic invoices and receipts is available on the Revenue Department’swebsite.

The tax refund policy is part of economic stimulus measuresannounced by the Thai Government early last month. Thai Prime Minister SretthaThavisin affirmed that the government has collected information to developpolicies that meet people's needs.

As the tax refund policy will take effect in early 2024,there are concerns that consumers will delay spending during the year-endshopping season and wait until next year to get the refund./.

VNA

See more

Travellers in a boat tour on the Chao Praya River in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Safety concerns darken Thailand’s tourism

Thailand’s target of drawing up to 9 million Chinese tourists by 2025 is under threat, following a surge in flight cancellations, attributed to safety concerns raised by the kidnapping a Chinese actor in the country.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. (Photo: Bernama)

Malaysia vows to promote green investment collaboration during ASEAN chairmanship

In his speech at the 2025 ASEAN Banking and Finance Summit in Kuala Lumpur on February 25, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the bloc’s energy transition cannot occur in isolation and that no country can achieve its sustainability goals without strong regional cooperation.

People commemorate the victims of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 in Subang Jaya, Malaysia, on March 3, 2024. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Malaysia resumes search for missing MH370 plane

Malaysian Minister of Transport Anthony Loke told the press on February 25 that the British marine robotics company Ocean Infinity has started what would likely be the final search for MH370 despite not having finalised a contract with the Malaysian government.

Veeramalla Anjaiah, a senior researcher fellow at the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) (Photo: VNA)

AFF 2025 inspires unity, strengthens bloc: Indonesian researcher

As a country committed to regional cohesion and peace, Vietnam is urging ASEAN nations to turn commitments into concrete outcomes, enhance coordination in addressing both traditional and non-traditional challenges, and build on past achievements to drive ASEAN’s overall development, he told the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondents in Jakarta.

Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

New Zealand PM optimistic about official visit to Vietnam

Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon expressed optimism about his official visit to Vietnam, while emphasising the Southeast Asian economy's importance to New Zealand exporters. He described Vietnam as a huge opportunity for New Zealand and the fastest-growing economy in Southeast Asia.

Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira (centre right) met with Japanese business executives during the BoI's recent roadshow in Tokyo. (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Japanese firms keen to step up investment in Thailand

Among the companies showing strong interest, Japan’s Isuzu Motors plans to produce electric pickup trucks at its Thai facility, primarily for export. Other Japanese automakers, such as Mitsubishi Motors, also intend to expand their presence in Thailand.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (Photo: eastasiaforum.org)

Malaysia promotes ASEAN's digital economy, green initiatives

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is set to deliver a keynote address at the second ASEAN Future Forum (AFF), to be held in Hanoi on February 25-26. His speech is expected to focus on key regional issues, including digital economy, green growth, and sustainable development.

President Prabowo Subianto (centre), along with former presidents Joko Widodo (right) and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (left), pressing the button to officially launch Indonesia's sovereign wealth fund, Danantara, during the launching ceremony at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on February 24. (Photo: Antara)

Indonesia to invest in three key sectors

According to Prabowo, Danantara's investments will generate high-quality jobs and contribute to the country's long-term prosperity. These are the areas that will determine Indonesia's future, resilience and independence.

Emeritus Professor Roberto Rabel (Photo: VNA)

New Zealand PM’s Vietnam trip to help tighten bilateral relations: professor

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on the threshold of the trip, Emeritus Professor Roberto Rabel from the Centre for Strategic Studies under New Zealand’s Victoria University of Wellington said that Luxon’s first visit to Vietnam as New Zealand Prime Minister is significant in providing him with the opportunity to see at first hand the vibrant socio-economic environment that has characterised Vietnam’s development in recent years.

The ASEAN Future Forum 2025 is under the theme Building a United, Inclusive, and Resilient ASEAN amidst Global Transformation. (Photo: Organiser)

AFF 2025: Strengthening ASEAN’s unity and resilience

Under the theme Building a United, Inclusive, and Resilient ASEAN amidst Global Transformation, AFF 2025 serves as a high-profile platform to drive discussions on strengthening regional cooperation, fostering sustainable development, and positioning ASEAN as a key player in global affairs.

A Chinese national, who was taken from a scam centre in Myanmar amid a mounting crackdown on scammers operating along a porous border, is escorted by soldiers after getting off a bus at Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Bridge 2 before being repatriated to China by plane, in Mae Sot District, Tak province, Thailand on February 20, 2025. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)

More than 200 foreigners rescued from Cambodian scam centre

The operation followed an urgent meeting between Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, the Royal Thai Police inspector-general, and Cambodian high-ranking police officers on February 21 to discuss operational plans to eradicate call centre scam gangs.

Indonesia launches new sovereign wealth fund

Indonesia launches new sovereign wealth fund

The new fund, known as Daya Anagata Nusantara, or Danantara, which is modeled on Singapore's investment arm Temasek, was approved by the parliament this month. It will take control of government holdings in state companies, with an initial budget of 20 billion USD.