FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Holidaymakers and borrowers benefit in year-end giveaway

Holidaymakers and borrowers benefit in year-end giveaway

PEOPLE WILL BE showered with a basket of gifts from the Prayut government in the New Year, with those planning domestic holidays set to get a tax deduction on outlays of up to Bt15,000 per person.

Farmers, senior citizens, disabled people, families with newborns and small vendors are among those entitled to benefit as the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), the Government Housing Bank (GHB) and the state-owned pawn shop, among others, distribute interest refunds on farm loans, housing loans and other giveaways.

Holidaymakers and borrowers benefit in year-end giveaway
Holidaymakers will get a tax deduction on hotel, food and package tour expenses for trips to a total of 55 provinces designated as “secondary” for tourism.
The measure is aimed at promoting tourism in provinces that are not highly popular destinations.
The provinces affected in the first stage of the scheme are:
lIn the North: Chiang Rai, Kamphaeng Phet, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Phayao, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phrae, Sukhothai, Tak, Uttaradit and Phetchabun.
lIn the Northeast: Amnat Charoen, Bung Kan, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Kalasin, Loei, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Nong Khai, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani and Yasothon.
lIn the Central region: Ang Thong, Chai Nat, Lop Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Sawan, Samut Songkhram, Sing Buri, Suphan Buri, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaew and Uthai Thani.
lIn the East: Chantha Buri and Trat. 
lIn the West: Ratcha Buri.
lIn the South: Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Phatthalung, Ranong, Satun, Trang and Yala.
Finance Minister Apisak Tantiworawong said the Tourism and Sports Ministry could later propose the expansion of the tax incentives to some or all of the other 22 provinces not covered in the first batch.
He said the tax incentive, effective from January 1 to December 31, 2018, was expected to boost the provincial economy and redistribute tourism income into communities in these secondary destinations as both individuals and companies would get the tax deductions using receipts on related expenses.
Regarding farmers’ loans, the BAAC said it would refund 30 per cent of interest paid for people registered as low-income earners, while the GHB will give a Bt1,000 refund to every customer with a good repayment record.
Senior citizens aged 100 and over will each get a Bt1,000 gift, while families of babies born on New Year’s Day will also get Bt1,000, according to the announcement. 
In addition, a total of 200 disabled people nationwide will each get a Bt10,000 gift voucher, although how they would be selected was unclear.
 

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