Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports has been working to develop special initiatives to accelerate Thailand’s tourism recovery as part of the country’s national economic stimulus package.

H.E. Chumpol Silapa-archa, Minister of Tourism and Sports, has announced a tax relief measure designed to spur domestic travel. This new tax break provides an incentive for Thai companies to organize staff training activities within Thailand.

The new tax relief measure comes in response to various requests and proposals from private sector trade association representatives calling for additional government support to expedite a speedy recovery for Thailand’s tourism industry.

The move is also part of an effort to channel much-needed business to private sector operators in the Thai tourism and hospitality industries to offset the shortfall in international visitor arrivals following recent political incidents and the global economic downturn, and help employers in the hospitality industry maintain staff through this period.

With the passage of this new legislation, companies and corporations incorporated in Thailand and legal entities registered as limited partnerships will be able to file additional tax deductible items when they make their tax submissions to the Revenue Department. These include 100 per cent of company expenses incurred through the rental of seminar facilities, and the cost of accommodation related to staff training and human resources development (HRD) programmes, provided that such activities are conducted in Thailand.

The Royal Decree sanctioning this special tax relief measure came into effect on 17 May 2009.

Further details will be announced by the Revenue Department.