Figures released by Thailand’s Finance and revenue department show that between October 1 2000 and April 30 this year, a total of Bt106 million ($2.3 million) was refunded to 67,356 tourists under the department’s VAT refund scheme.

The top three goods on which refunds were made were leather products (19%), clothing (18%) and watches (11%). Japanese tourists accounted for 29% of those who obtained the refunds.

Under the scheme, tourists shopping for goods at authorised stores are able to receive VAT refunds on production of their passports and other supporting documentation.

Refunds of up to Bt5,000 in cash on the spot, with larger amounts being refunded by mail or credited to credit-card accounts.

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