Duty-free shops to open in Thailand’s tsunami-hit areas

Gavin Lipsith

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The country is hoping to encourage tourists to shop while still in the country

Thailand's Customs department has announced plans to open duty-free shops in the six tsunami-ravaged provinces of the Andaman coast.

Customs head Sathit Limpongpan told local press that a pilot project would be launched in the island resort province of Phuket. It will be located in the main tourist area or in a special shopping zone.

Import taxes will not be included in the retail price, but excise tax and value-added tax will be included as normal. The measures are designed to encourage tourists to shop while still in Thailand.

The Customs department said it would also like to see Thai tourists who are staying more than 24 hours in the area make use of the shops, but that it would require a change in regulations.

Reports did not specify whether the stores would be put to tender or operated by a selected retailer.