Tourists can reclaim Thailand’s 7% VAT on qualifying purchases when leaving the country—worth the effort if you buy jewellery, electronics, or mall goods. The process involves the shop, customs, and an airport refund desk. Keep every receipt and form.

Who qualifies and minimum spend

• Non-resident tourists staying less than 180 days in Thailand.
• Minimum 2,000 THB including VAT per store per day on eligible goods from participating shops.
• Combined refunds from multiple stores must reach at least 5,000 THB total to claim at the airport (or combine receipts accordingly).
• Goods must leave Thailand within 60 days of purchase.

At the shop: P.P.10 form

At checkout, show your passport and ask for a VAT refund (P.P.10) form. The shop fills in details and attaches the tax invoice. You will receive:

• Original tax invoice with VAT refund sticker
• P.P.10 refund form (yellow/orange document)

Not every store participates—look for “VAT Refund for Tourists” signs (often Central, Siam Paragon, King Power, and registered retailers).

Customs inspection before check-in

At the airport, go to the Customs desk (before airline check-in or baggage drop, depending on airport layout) with:

• Passport
• P.P.10 forms and invoices
• Goods (for high-value items—jewellery, watches—customs may want to see them)

Customs stamps the P.P.10 form. Without this stamp, you cannot get the refund.

Refund counter at the airport

After customs stamp, proceed to the VAT Refund office (International Departure, after immigration at some airports—follow signs at Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang). Submit stamped P.P.10 and choose:

• Cash (THB) at the counter
• Credit card refund (may take weeks)
• Bank transfer in some cases

A processing fee is deducted from the refund amount. Allow extra time—queues can be long in peak season.

Practical tips

• Keep purchases in carry-on if customs might inspect them.
• Combine same-day receipts from one mall where possible to meet minimums.
• Some downtown refund centres (e.g. major malls) offer partial instant refund—ask at purchase.
• Consumables and certain services are excluded—confirm with the shop.

FAQ

Can I refund if I fly domestically first?
Usually you must export from an international airport; domestic connections complicate the process—plan to complete refund at your final international departure from Thailand.

What if I forget the P.P.10 stamp?
Without customs stamp, the refund office will reject the claim—there is no easy fix.

Is VAT refund the same as duty-free?
No. Duty-free shops sell without VAT at the airport; VAT refund applies to purchases made at normal shops during your stay.