BANGKOK — The Thai government has announced two major economic stimulus measures, extending its nightlife tax reduction and launching a new digital receipt program aimed at boosting consumer spending and tourism in 2025.
The Thai Cabinet has approved a one-year extension of the reduced excise tax rate for entertainment venues, maintaining the rate at 5% instead of 10% of revenue. The extension will be effective from January 1 to December 31, 2025, as part of ongoing efforts to stimulate the country’s economy and tourism industry.
Deputy Finance Minister Phaopoom Rojanasakul announced that this decision aligns with the government’s tourism stimulus initiatives, including the upcoming “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism Year 2025” campaign. The campaign aims to distribute income to local communities and attract more tourists to Thailand, with entertainment venues playing a crucial role in the tourism ecosystem.
The tax reduction applies to various entertainment establishments, including nightclubs, discotheques, pubs, bars, and cocktail lounges. This extension of the current rate, which was set to expire on December 31, 2024, is expected to boost the tourism and service sectors while providing improved liquidity and reduced operational costs for business operators.
The measure has already shown promising results in 2024, with the number of registered entertainment venues increasing by 60.92% (1,511 new registrations). Business operational capability has risen by 52.06%, and the Excise Department has reported a 31.24% increase in tax revenue from entertainment venues despite the lower rate.
This tax reduction is part of the government’s broader strategy to stimulate employment, enhance tourism spending, and contribute to the overall economic growth of Thailand through its nightlife and entertainment sector.
Easy E-Receipt 2.0
Meanwhile, the Cabinet has approved a New Year’s stimulus package proposed by the Ministry of Finance, featuring the “Easy E-Receipt 2.0” program. The scheme allows taxpayers to claim deductions of up to 50,000 baht for eligible purchases made between January 15 and February 28, 2025.
Program Structure: The 50,000 baht allowance is divided into two categories:
- 30,000 baht for general goods and services, including tourism-related expenses such as tour packages, hotel accommodations, and car rentals
- 20,000 baht specifically for purchases from community enterprises, SMEs, and OTOP shops registered in the electronic tax system
Eligibility Requirements: Purchases must be made from VAT-registered businesses that issue electronic tax invoices through the e-Tax Invoice & e-Receipt system.
Excluded Items:
- Alcoholic beverages (spirits, beer, and wine)
- Tobacco products
- Vehicles (cars, motorcycles, and boats)
- Fuel and gas for vehicles
- Utility bills (water, electricity, phone, and internet services)
- Insurance premiums Long-term service contracts starting before January 1, 2025, or ending after February 15, 2025
The Ministry of Finance projects that this measure will generate 70 billion baht in economic circulation and result in approximately 10 billion baht in tax revenue reduction
Increase business participation in the tax system by about 20% compared to the previous year.
Additional details regarding rules, procedures, and conditions will be announced by the Revenue Department Director-General.
