Amendments to Thailand’s Labour Protection Act will take effect on 7 December 2025 that will improve maternity leave benefits and introduce paternity leave for employees for the first time.
Tourism Stimulus Measures Approved by Cabinet
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved five tourism stimulus packages under the “Quick Big Win” economic strategy, aimed at revitalizing domestic tourism and supporting economic growth in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The 5 approved measures
1. Personal income tax deduction to support domestic tourism
Individuals will be allowed to claim a deduction of up to Baht 20,000 for accommodation costs (hotels, homestays, or registered non-hotel accommodation) and restaurant service costs paid to VAT-registered businesses from 29 October 2025 to 15 December 2025.
A deduction not exceeding THB 10,000 can be claimed for expenses supported by paper or electronic tax invoices (e-Tax Invoices) and an additional THB 10,000 can be claimed for e-Tax Invoices only.
Spending in secondary cities (55 provinces and selected districts in 15 others) qualify for a 1.5 times deduction, up to THB 30,000 in total.
2. Corporate income tax incentives for domestic training seminars
Companies and juristic partnerships that hold staff training seminars within Thailand from 29 October 2025 to 15 December 2025 will be allowed to claim additional tax deductions for seminar expenses such as venue rental, accommodation, transportation and licensed tour guide fees.
For training seminars held in secondary provinces, a deduction for twice the actual expenses paid will be allowed. For seminars held in other locations, a deduction of 1.5 times the actual expenses paid will be allowed.
The expenses must be paid to VAT-registered businesses and supported by a full tax invoice in electronic format (e-Tax Invoice), except for transportation costs paid to non-VAT-registered operators, in which case an electronic receipt (e-Receipt) is required.
3. Accelerated Budget Disbursement for Public Sector Training and Meetings
Government agencies, state enterprises, and local administrative organizations are instructed to disburse at least 60% of their 2026 fiscal year training and seminar budgets between October 2025 and January 2026, prioritizing venues in domestic tourist destinations, particularly secondary provinces.
4. Tax incentives for hotel renovations
Companies and juristic partnerships operating hotels will be allowed to claim a tax deduction for twice the actual costs paid for renovations, changes, expansions, or improvements to assets related to the business (not repairs to maintain the original condition) from 29 October 2025 to 31 March 2026.
Assets related to the business include:
(1) Permanent buildings used for hotel operations
(2) Decorations or furniture that are permanently attached to the building.
The first deduction covers normal depreciation of the assets. The second deduction shall be claimed in equal amounts over 20 accounting periods, starting from the accounting period in which depreciation commences.
5. Extension of reduced excise tax rate for entertainment venues
The reduced excise tax rate from 10% to 5% for entertainment venues such as nightclubs, pubs, bars, discos, and cocktail lounges will be extended for another year from 1 January to 31 December 2026.
Cabinet approves extension of 7% VAT rate until 30 September 2026
On 9 September 2025 the Thai cabinet approved in principle a draft royal decree to be issued under the Revenue Code to extend Thailand’s 7% VAT rate for another year to September 30, 2026.
5 year personal income tax exemption for digital asset sales
Ministerial Regulation No. 399 issued under the Revenue Code grants an exemption for capital gains made from the sale of cryptocurrencies or digital tokens for 5 years, commencing from 1 January 2025 and ending on 31 December 2029.
New Notification on the tax incentives to promote the return of Thai nationals working abroad
The Notification requires Thai nationals eligible to pay personal income tax at the rate of 17% to submit personal income tax return Por.Ngor.Dor. 95 detailing the eligible assessable income and to retain supporting documents demonstrating educational qualifications and work experience.
Cabinet Approves Postponement of Employee Welfare Fund Contributions to 2026
On 26 August, the Thai Cabinet approved a postponement of the start date for making contributions to the Employee Welfare Fund to 1 October 2026.
Tariffs and transfer pricing: the friction ramps up
Amit Bhalla and Dean Rangel of HLB Thailand explore how rising global tariffs are disrupting transfer pricing arrangements, tested party selection, and benchmarking, with Thailand’s manufacturing sector facing increased pressure under shifting supply chains
Thailand’s Board of Investment Prepares to Introduce Pillar 2 Refundable Tax Credits
Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) has announced that Thailand will introduce Qualified Refundable Tax Credits (QRTCs) to mitigate the impact of tax laws to support the collection of a global minimum tax of 15% from large multinational enterprises that took effect from the beginning of this year
BOI Updates Employment Conditions for Foreign Workers in Promoted Projects: What Businesses Need to Know
BOI updates rules for foreign workers in promoted projects, setting new employment ratios, salary thresholds, and role criteria. Here’s what to know
Cabinet Approves Personal Income Tax Exemption on Capital Gains from Sale of Digital Assets
Thai Cabinet has approved in principle a draft Ministerial Regulation proposed by the Ministry of Finance to exempt capital gains made from the sale of digital assets from personal income tax for five years.













