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85-586: King Power's cash cow is the proprietary concession of Thailand's duty-free business." The company is the largest duty-free retailer in Thailand. Its duty free shopping mall in Bangkok's central business district covers over 12,000 square metres (130,000 sq ft) and it has branches at Suvarnabhumi Airport and Thailand's other major airports. In 2015, King Power launched an online site selling duty-free and duty-paid items. King Power began in 1989, with

170-571: A VAT refund may be claimed at the airport upon departure. In the Philippines , there is one shopping mall called the Duty Free Philippines Fiestamall, which is located a few miles away from Ninoy Aquino International Airport as opposed to being at the airport itself. It is the only shopping mall of its kind in the world. The goods that are sold in this mall are often imported products which come from around

255-532: A US$ 226 million stake in Thai AirAsia , the country's largest budget airline. The purchase of 39 percent of holding company Asia Aviation makes King Power the second largest shareholder in Thai AirAsia. On 27 October 2018, the chairman and CEO of King Power, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, died in a helicopter crash , shortly after leaving King Power Stadium , home of Leicester City FC. An investigation into

340-619: A country outside the EU VAT area is entitled to shop tax-free at participating shops in the EU. Tax free shopping differs from duty-free shopping as the traveller pays the VAT on goods in the shop in the usual way, and can then request a refund when exporting the goods. There are a number of tax-free operators who can support both the stores and the traveler through this process. To qualify, the traveller must: Only goods meant for personal use are eligible for

425-657: A countrywide campaign called “Sport Power” that aims to develop football skills of the children. King Power has been continuously contributing to Thai football with the Fox Hunt project, which gives scholarships to talented youngsters who are trained at the Leicester Football Academy in England. Other King Power football programmes include Leicester City Football Clinic and King Power Cup. In November 2019, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha have agreed to fund

510-428: A coup. After being appointed Army Commander in 2005, Sonthi expressed confidence that he could resolve the insurgency. He claimed that he would take a "new and effective" approach to a crisis and that "The army is informed [of who the insurgents are] and will carry out their duties." Sonthi was granted an extraordinary increase in executive powers to combat unrest in the far South . However, up to 19 September 2006,

595-506: A group of allies and anti-Thaksin politicians launched Ruam Jai Thai (Thai Unity), a new party that “would not be unfriendly to the military”, as one put it. Sonthi's potential entry into politics was welcomed by Suthep Thaugsuban , Secretary-General of the Democrat Party. "It would be a good sign if Sonthi would turn himself into a politician because that is the way of democracy. We should appreciate him [if he did it that way]. He

680-527: A key Thai Rak Thai member who defected to the Chat Thai party, plus ex-senator Kraisak Choonhavan . Academics hired by the CNS included Wuttipong Piebjriya-wat , Sophon Supapong , Narong Phet-prasert , and Somkiat Osotspa . However, Sophon denied he had anything to do with the campaign. After a bomb was exploded outside of Chitralada Palace in early May 2007, junta leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin claimed that

765-508: A license granted for Thailand's first downtown duty-free shop at Mahatun Plaza. In 1995, King Power won the sole concession to operate duty-free shops at Don Mueang Airport , then Bangkok's main airport. In 1997, the government of Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh granted the company the sole right to manage duty-free business at the World Trade Centre in downtown Bangkok for 10 years. The business had previously been managed by

850-746: A new training centre for The Football Association of Thailand. King Power will cover 100 per cent of the building costs, estimated at 500 million baht. The training centre will be built on a 192,000 square-metre site in the Muak Lek District of Thailand's Saraburi province. The plans are part of the country's 20-year football development ‘master plan' of The Football Association of Thailand. The 20-year master plan of FA Thailand are built National training centres across every region of Thailand (Southern Region, Northern Region, Northeastern Region, Central Region, Eastern Region and Western Region). A corporate social responsibility project, King Power Thai Power

935-503: A public relations campaign to discredit Thaksin Shinawatra. The request for the money was submitted on 24 January 2007. Chianchuang Kalayanamitr, younger brother of CNS Deputy Secretary-General Saprang Kalayanamitr , was hired as head of the publicity team. Politicians hired as part of the CNS campaign included Chat Pattana party leader Korn Dabbaransi , Democrats Korn Chatikavanij , and Korbsak Sabavasu , Prapat Panya-chatraksa ,

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1020-504: A reimbursement system, such as Global Blue and Premier Tax Free , wherein a sum equivalent to the tax is paid, but then the goods are presented to customs and the sum reimbursed on exit. Duty-free are abolished for intra- EU (inside the EU tax union ) travelers but are retained for travelers whose final destination is outside the EU. They also sell to intra-EU travelers but with appropriate taxes. The world's largest airport by duty-free sales

1105-438: A single firm such as Dufry. Also, prices can often be driven upward by the costs of buyer convenience, e.g., in-flight sales by airlines. Many airlines, such as Emirates , El Al , Singapore Airlines , Middle East Airlines , Ukraine International Airlines , Delta , and Avianca , offer duty-free sales on their flights. In 1991, the EU decided to keep some duty free for a transition period until 1999. In 1999, after

1190-539: A state of emergency from New York City (where he had been attending a meeting of the United Nations ), but his broadcast was cut in mid-sentence when the military seized the television station. Sonthi dissolved Cabinet, Parliament, and the Constitutional Court, and temporarily gave himself powers equivalent to prime minister. He declared that the council would hand over power in two weeks. On

1275-452: Is South Korea's Incheon Airport , with US$ 1.85 billion in 2016, narrowly overtaking Dubai Duty Free with 2016 sales of $ 1.82 billion. Haikou International Duty-Free City Shopping Complex is the world's biggest stand-alone duty-free store in terms of physical size. Located in Haikou , Hainan, China, the buildings have a total area of 280,000 square meters. Brendan O'Regan established

1360-525: Is a Thai former Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army and former head of the Council for Democratic Reform , the military junta that ruled the kingdom. He was the first Muslim in charge of the army of the mostly Buddhist country. On 19 September 2006, he became the de facto head of government of Thailand after overthrowing the elected government in a coup d'état . After retiring from

1445-593: Is a market where competition is kept both in the EEA market and in the global market. Even with the 2008 merger of the two biggest duty free operators, Autogrill and World Duty Free, they together own less than 10% of the global market and less than 20% of the EEA market. Sonthi Boonyaratglin Sonthi Boonyaratglin ( Thai : สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน , RTGS :  Sonthi Bunyaratkalin , IPA: [sǒn.tʰíʔ bun.já.rát.kà.lin] ; born 2 October 1946)

1530-439: Is discounted. Normally, discounted liquors or tobacco products cannot be bought when arriving into an EU Member State as there is often a high local Excise Duty on these goods as well as the local sales tax (VAT/IVA/TVA) which is included in the price. In some EU Territories the tax on tobaccos and liquors is lower than in other EU countries, which is why the prices still seem competitive and look like duty-free prices. A good example

1615-565: Is now Duty Free Shoppers ( DFS ) on 7 November 1960. DFS started operations in Hong Kong and spread to Europe and other places around the globe. Securing the exclusive concession for duty-free sales in Hawaii in the early–1960s was a commercial breakthrough for DFS, which enabled the company to focus on Japanese travelers. DFS continued to innovate, expanding into off-airport duty-free stores and into large downtown Galleria stores; it grew to become

1700-462: Is the difference in tobacco prices between the UK and Ireland, compared to Spain or Portugal. It is a common feature of most tax systems that taxes are not raised on goods to be exported. To do so could place the goods at a disadvantage to those from other countries, for example if the tax rate in the territory of sale is higher than the tax rate in the territory of consumption. Either the tax system allows

1785-614: Is welcome... I haven't talked about the matter with him. But, in general, the Army commander-in-chief, government officials or ordinary people are welcome here at the Democrat Party," Suthep said. Coup-supporter Suriyasai Katasila of the People's Alliance for Democracy suggested that Sonthi skip the next post-election and wait for the one after it, if he is keen about entering politics. Fellow coup-supporter Chamlong Srimuang, whose 1992 protests against Prime Minister Suchinda Kraprayoon led to

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1870-718: The Assembly of Isaan People , personally met Sonthi to request that the military remove the Prime Minister. Afterwards, Chaiwat claimed that Sonthi listened to him attentively and promised to consider his request. Sonthi later claimed that he was tricked into receiving Chaiwat, and had no intention to endorse the anti-government activists. In May 2007, Sonthi warned about 40 senior newspaper columnists and executives to "report news correctly," saying that he had noticed columnists criticising situations in different ways, and making it clear that he wanted stories to be reported in

1955-580: The Portuguese First Republic . The coup was moved up to 19 September, when Thaksin was still in New York. Sonthi also stated that the coup was not an urgent measure mooted just a couple of days earlier. Sonthi also claimed that during a lunch that Thaksin had with the commanders of the armed forces, Thaksin had asked him "Will you stage a coup?" Sonthi replied: "I will." This contradicted earlier public statements where he denied that

2040-525: The Special Warfare Command and Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda ). Both serve as advisers to King Bhumibol Adulyadej . He later received a doctor's degree in political science from the open-admission Ramkhamhaeng University . As Army Commander, General Sonthi repeatedly assured the public that the army would not interfere in the political crisis , although he has said that "His Majesty must have been saddened" by

2125-467: The international zone of international airports , sea ports , and train stations but goods can also be bought duty-free on board airplanes and passenger ships. They are not as commonly available for road or train travelers, although several border crossings between the United States and both Canada and Mexico have duty-free shops for car travelers. In some countries, any shop can participate in

2210-443: The permanent constitution being drafted by the CNS's drafting body. These included: He also made several suggestions, including: Sonthi later denied dictating the content for the new constitution, but stated "We can't force them to do things but responsible people will know what the constitution should look like." He also suggested that the term in office of village heads and kamnan be increased from 5 years to 10 years, while

2295-408: The "old power group" was behind it, and told the press to ask PTV to learn more. He did not cite any evidence for his claims. Sonthi claimed in public that several upper-middle-ranking public officials had attempted to give him between 40 and 100 million baht in order to get promoted to director-general posts. Sonthi noted that the incidents led him to conclude that paying bribes to get promoted

2380-539: The Americas, with these regions accounting for 34 percent and 23 percent respectively. 31 percent of sales came from the fragrances and cosmetics category, followed by the wine and spirit category with 17 percent and then comes tobacco products. Some countries impose duty on goods brought into the country, although they had been bought duty-free in another country, or when the value or quantity of such goods exceed an allowed limit. Duty-free shops are often found in

2465-499: The Army admitted that they had no idea who the insurgents were. The drastic escalation of the insurgency during his leadership of the Army led to much public criticism of Army efforts. While assigned to the South, Sonthi suggested that former communist insurgents might be playing a role in the unrest. Leaders of the southern provinces displayed skepticism over his suggestion and investigations did not reveal any communist link. Sonthi

2550-515: The Army in 2007, he became deputy prime minister, in charge of national security. Sonthi is a multimillionaire and has two wives, Sukanya and Piyada, despite legal prohibitions against bigamy . Sonthi Boonyaratglin graduated from the 6th Class of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School . He graduated from Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy in 1969 as part of Class 17 and was commissioned into

2635-503: The Caribbean have such shops, as does South East Asia and Oceania. Switzerland and Canada are looking to introduce them in 2010. This method of retail removes any security problems with the transit of liquids, as they are not carried on aircraft. Several airlines do not allow sales of certain sharp objects in-flight due to security risk. Other objects that have sharp parts, such as model airplanes, may be bought in-flight but received at

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2720-778: The Customer Registration Counter at the entrance of the mall. The customer will then be issued a shopping card; these shopping cards must be presented to the cashier for validation of purchases. Arriving customers are given a certain tax-free allowance on purchases and anything in excess will be subject to local and national taxes. In the past, the mall used to only accept US dollars and Philippine peso but in recent years, it had begun accepting other currencies such as Japanese yen , Brunei dollar , Australian dollar , British pound , Canadian dollar , Euro , Swiss franc , Saudi riyal , Bahraini dinar , and Thai baht . Currency exchange booths are also available inside

2805-695: The King of Thailand in December 2009. The garuda statue in front of its headquarters symbolizes that privilege. In August 2010, following agreement on a three-year shirt sponsorship deal with King Power, Milan Mandarić sold the English football club Leicester City F.C. to a Thai-led consortium called Asian Football Investments (AFI), owned by King Power Group's Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. On 16 May 2017, Belgian First Division B team Oud-Heverlee Leuven announced that they had accepted an offer from King Power to buy

2890-519: The Minister said. In the months prior to July 2007, Sonthi co-chaired meetings of the Thai Cabinet, alongside Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont. He also travelled to the provinces to convince local officials to cut links with Thaksin Shinawatra and anti-junta politicians, telling them they would be treated better under his rule. Sources claimed that Sonthi was planning to run for Parliament in

2975-526: The Prime Minister. Some observers saw this as a message to the Government that Sonthi was still firmly in charge of the Army. As late as May 2006, Sonthi publicly denied the need for a military coup: Whenever soldiers get involved in politics, it seems that the nation's problems begin to escalate and become worse. Military officers, accordingly, must step back from politics. With that firm and clear stance, I assure everyone that there definitely won't be

3060-618: The Royal Army Infantry Corps. He went on to lead several top units, including the elite Special Warfare Command based in Lopburi province . In August 2004, Sonthi was appointed Deputy Army Commander. Against public expectations, Sonthi was promoted to Army Commander in October 2005. Sonthi's fast rise was backed by retired armed forces Supreme Commander General Surayud Chulanont (with whom he had served while leading

3145-617: The South, replacing them with territorial defence volunteers. He did not say why the regular army was to be reduced in the South. During the peak of the Thailand political crisis in February 2006, Sondhi Limthongkul , leader of the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), personally met Sonthi to request that the military intervene in the crisis. Afterwards, Sondhi claimed that Sonthi listened to him attentively and promised to consider his request. Sonthi later claimed that he

3230-625: The Thai government. The lawsuit alleges that King Power colluded with airport employees to pay the government only a three percent slice of duty free takings. The lawsuit was filed by a deputy chairman of a government anti-corruption subcommittee. Two other King Power group companies owned by the Srivaddhanaprabha family were also accused of corruption in the legal action, along with a senior King Power executive. Fourteen officials working for Airports of Thailand PCL (AOT) have also been named in

3315-523: The Tourism Authority of Thailand. Some questioned whether it was contrary to Prime Minister's Office regulations regarding partnership with private business. In 2004, the government of Thaksin Shinawatra granted King Power the right to operate duty-free shops at Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok's new main airport, for 10 years. Shortly thereafter, the company won the concession to operate duty-free shops at four major provincial airports until 2015. There

3400-657: The U.S. Customs & Border Protection: Moreover, in the U.S. some duty-free stores will sell their goods to domestic passengers with appropriate taxes included. Alcohol and tobacco products are restricted to international passengers only and subject to the age limitations of 18 and 21 respectively, even though the age one must be to import those items into other countries may be lower. U.S. citizens receive substantially higher duty exemptions than normal when they visit or transit these locales, e.g., Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands. According to Autogrill / World Duty Free case, duty free

3485-523: The club. In 2011, it opened the first regional store in Thailand's eastern region, opening the King Power complex in Pattaya . The following year, the business gained a new duty-free store at Don Mueang airport . Then in 2014, King Power gained an in-flight duty free concession from Thai AirAsia X and opened the first Leicester City fan store at BTS Siam Station. In June 2016 King Power purchased

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3570-552: The contracts as rate does not apply to the same calculation structure. Instead of charging 15 percent of profit, AoT receives three percent of turnover, resulting in increased fees received by AoT (seven times previous fees). "This absolutely cannot be considered as damage to the state", Dr. Nitinai said. The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases in Bangkok accepted the case in November 2017, and said it would begin to hear witnesses on 12 February 2018. In August 2018,

3655-622: The country for less than six months can buy items without paying consumption tax, so long as the total purchase value exceeds ¥5,000 and the items will not be consumed in Japan. Duty-free shops are a mainstay in the Akihabara electronic shopping district of Tokyo . In Thailand, the King Power chain has shops where duty-free items are pre-purchased and delivered separately to the airport to be picked up on departure. For certain other purchases,

3740-443: The country they are traveling to, so long as they are within the traveler's duty-free allowance. Most tax regimes also allow travelers entering a country to bring in a certain amount of goods for personal use without paying tax on them, the so-called "duty-free allowance"; because it is not economically justifiable to collect the small amounts of tax involved, and would be an inconvenience to the passengers. A duty-free shop works under

3825-539: The country." Human Rights Watch accused the Thai Army, under Sonthi's command, of " disappearing " ethnic Malay Muslims in the far south in a deliberate attempt to defeat the South Thailand insurgency . "These 'disappearances' appear to be a matter of policy, not simply the work of rogue elements in the security services," said the agency in a report. Sonthi approved a 12 million baht top-secret budget for

3910-548: The coup-leader's downfall, declined to state his views on Sonthi's future political role. CNS sources claimed that as of July 2007, Sonthi had not made a decision about whether or not to run in the next election. The Prime Minister's Office Minister defended Sonthi's right to formally enter politics. "Whether or not it is appropriate for him to contest the [next] general election is open to criticism, which, of course, has nothing to do with his right to run. If people consider it inappropriate, they will not vote for him or his party,"

3995-630: The coup. The fortune teller, Varin Buaviratlert, had been Sonthi's long-time personal fortune-teller, and had foretold Sonthi's rise to become Army Commander. Amid falling popularity, Sonthi sent his wife and several CNS leaders to visit her on 1 April 2007. Sonthi completely purged the military of all senior officers perceived as loyal to the Thaksin government, replacing them with officers that he personally trusted. In December 2006, junta chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin issued several guidelines for

4080-482: The court said it would extend a hearing into accusations of graft against AOT and King Power, delaying a decision on whether to take up the case. The court will hold another hearing on 4 September 2018, summoning the AOT president to clarify the AOT's duties, revenues, and regulations governing commercial activity. The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases dismissed the case on 18 September 2018, ruling that

4165-522: The crash by the United Kingdom's Air Accident Investigation Branch found that it was caused by mechanical failure. King Power has outlets at nine Thai airports and stores in major tourist venues. In 2017, King Power was accused of failing to pay the Thai state 14 billion baht (£327 million) from the operation of their airport duty-free shop monopoly. The original agreement, signed in 2006, requires that 15 percent of duty-free shop income be paid to

4250-1046: The creation of the European Union, the single market and the monetary union, these outlets were abolished for intra- EU travellers but are retained for travelers whose final destination is outside the EU. They also sell to intra-EU travelers but with appropriate taxes. Some special member state territories such as Åland , Livigno and the Canary Islands , are within the EU but outside the EU tax union , and thus still continue duty-free sales for all travelers. In 2021, with Brexit duty free are reintroduced in three British nations : England , Wales and Scotland . This allows reduced taxes on wine , Champagne or Prosecco , beer and spirits as well as on cigarettes , cigarillos , cigars , or tobacco . Some duty-free shops operate in central business districts away from airports or other ports. In Japan, for example, any visitor whose passport indicates that they have been in

4335-440: The footsteps of former National Peace Keeping Coalition leader and deposed prime minister General Suchinda Kraprayoon , Sonthi did note that he alone could not make the decision as to whether he should become prime minister. In March 2007, Sonthi called for emergency rule to be declared in Bangkok in response to the protests by the founders of PTV. In an interview, he noted that the protests had so far been peaceful, but that he

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4420-486: The goods to be exported without taxes (stored prior to export in a bonded warehouse ), or taxes can be claimed back when they are exported (see VAT ). Such exemption also applies to goods supplied for use on ships and aircraft, because they are consumed outside the country. Businesses supplying such goods can do so tax- and duty-free. Goods sold to passengers on board ships or aircraft are tax free. The passenger can either consume them on board, or import them tax-free into

4505-537: The goods will be sold to travelers who will take them out of the country, who will then pay duties and taxes in their destination country (depending on its personal exemption limits and tariff regime). Which products can be sold duty-free vary by jurisdiction, as well as how they can be sold, and the process of calculating the duty or refunding the duty component. Tax Free World Association (TFWA) announced that in 2011 Asia-Pacific , with 35 percent of global duty-free and travel retail sales, has more duty free than Europe or

4590-697: The identity of the insurgents was not revealed. On 8 September, Deputy Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit promised to give Sonthi increased powers to better deal with the insurgency. However, by 19 September 2006, the Army admitted that it still was unsure whom to negotiate with. Three days later, Sonthi led a coup against the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra . Sonthi's former superiors, Deputy Prime Minister for national security Chitchai Wannasathit and Defense Minister Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayudhaya were immediately arrested. Despite escalating violence, in May 2007 Sonthi started withdrawing troops from

4675-417: The inconvenience of having to carry these items around the world but also solves the security problem mentioned above. Other countries such as Canada and Sweden have been considering duty-free on arrival. The European Union does not permit arrivals duty-free stores; some EU airports sell goods on arrival in the baggage claim area described as "Tax-Free", but these goods are all tax-paid sales, the local sales tax

4760-473: The last transit port, as otherwise they may have it confiscated by security when they board at the transit port, as they will be exceeding the current limit on liquids in hand baggage. This does not apply to passengers transferring within the EU and Singapore on the same day, as long as the liquid item is sealed in a plastic security bag with the receipt showing in the bag. Arrivals duty-free shops are now becoming more common. Most of South and Central America, and

4845-547: The leaders of the insurgency. However, he noted that "We still don't know who is the real head of the militants we are fighting with." In a press conference the next day, he attacked the government for criticizing him for trying to negotiate with the anonymous insurgents, and demanded that the government "Free the military and let it do the job." Afterwards, insurgents bombed 6 department stores in Hat Yai city, which up until then had been free of insurgent activities. As always,

4930-537: The mall if a customer wishes to exchange currencies into Philippine pesos or US dollars. Credits cards can also be used for purchasing goods. In Australia, duty-free shops, once common, have all but disappeared since the introduction of GST in 2000. Retailer James Richardson operates several duty-free shops in major cities, but most duty-free shops are now located within international airports. Residents and tourists are allowed to purchase virtually any physical good within 60 days of departure, which needs to be taken on

5015-447: The military would stage a coup. He also revealed that as early as his 11 September visit to Myanmar , he had been wary of his personal safety. During flight, he carried a concealed pistol and sat next to the entrance to the cockpit. Sonthi and other junta leaders flew to Chiang Mai on an Air Force C-130 on 3 November 2006 to visit a prominent fortune-teller and perform a religious ceremony to ward off bad luck over their staging of

5100-655: The military. Sonthi resigned as commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army on 30 September 2007. He was succeeded by General Anupong Paochinda . Sonthi resigned as chairman of the Council for National Security on 1 October 2007. He was succeeded as CNS chairman by Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukbhasuk , the commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Air Force . Sonthi accepted a post in the cabinet of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont as deputy prime minister in charge of security. Sonthi has two concurrent wives. He registered to marry his first wife, Sukanya, when he

5185-595: The nation's political problems. He has also protested Thaksin's unsuccessful attempt to promote a large number of his own former classmates from Class 10 of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School to army units responsible for Bangkok's security. The 2006 annual military reshuffle was delayed due to the political crisis, as caretaker prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra denied that he planned to remove Sonthi as Army Commander. Despite this, Sonthi consolidating his personal power base by transferring out 129 mid-ranking officers under generals that he thought were loyal to

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5270-536: The next election, representing Lopburi . General Pallop Pinmanee , Sonthi's advisor and director of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) was charged with building a support base for Gen Sonthi in Lopburi . ISOC staff were also sent to Northern and Northeastern provinces, political strongholds of Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party, to persuade local politicians to defect from Thai Rak Thai and join political parties backed by

5355-533: The outward flight, and claim the GST component back through the Tourist Refund Scheme when passing through customs. Consumers are now free to fully use their items prior to departure. This is in contrast prior to 2000, where all purchases had to be packed by the duty-free store in a sealed clear plastic bag , and could only be broken open by customs staff just prior to departure. Any traveller living in

5440-644: The passengers' home address for the same reason. Proof of travel may be requested at the checkout point to prevent airport employees from making personal purchases. Some countries or districts, including Argentina , Australia , Brazil , Chile , China , Colombia , Iceland , Italy , Iran , India , Jamaica , Kenya , Lebanon , Malaysia , New Zealand , Norway , Panama , Philippines , Sri Lanka , Switzerland , Taiwan , Turkey , United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan have inwards duty-free facilities, where arriving passengers can purchase duty-free items immediately before going through customs. This not only saves

5525-424: The plaintiff "was not an affected party, therefore he cannot sue in this case." King Power's "cash cow" is its duty-free business which operates as a government-sanctioned monopoly. Over the years, King Power has been very close to the Thaksin, Abhisit, and Yingluck governments. It has also been a supporter of post-coup governments of Sonthi Boonyaratglin and more recently, Prayut Chan-o-cha . In January 2019, it

5610-562: The refund. The stamped forms and receipts can then be sent back to the retailers, or their agents, for a refund. In most cases, a minimum purchase applies to use the tax-free shopping scheme. The actual amount of VAT reclaimable depends on the VAT rate applicable in the particular country to the goods purchased, and may be subject to a deduction for administration fees. Travelers on long-haul routes with at least one transit stop between their departure airport and destination airport should be careful to purchase their duty-free alcohol or perfume at

5695-512: The role of elected tambon administrative organisations be reduced. In 2006, Thaksin Shinawatra sold his shares in telecom firm Shin Corp to Temasek Holdings . The sale also transferred control of Shin Corp 's five satellites (including IPSTAR , the world's largest commercial satellite) and mobile phone operator to the Singaporean company. After the coup, Sonthi claimed that Singapore

5780-744: The same direction. On 30 May 2007, a junta-appointed Constitutional Tribunal dissolved the Thai Rak Thai Party and banned over 100 of its executives, including Thaksin, from politics for 5 years. On the morning of the ruling, Sonthi met with Tribunal judge Ackaratorn Chularat . He later denied that he lobbied the Constitution Tribunal to ban the Thai Rak Thai executive team. There was widespread public speculation that Sonthi would retain power after his mandatory retirement in 2007. Although he promised not to follow in

5865-464: The same system. The goods must be exported intact (they cannot be consumed in the country of sale), and they are importing into the destination country under that country's own tax rules. In some countries, in order to ensure that goods are exported intact, they are hand-delivered in a closed bag to the passenger at the gate after their ticket is scanned. In the United States, duty-free shops are technically considered class 9 Bonded Warehouses with regard to

5950-437: The second day of the coup, he received a formal mandate from King Bhumibol Adulyadej . General Sonthi later said in an interview that the coup was originally planned for 20 September, to coincide with a major anti-Thaksin rally also planned for that day. He cited the " Portuguese example " in which anti-government rallies coincided with a successful military rebellion which overthrew King Manuel II of Portugal and established

6035-438: The shopping destination. Merchants may pay inventory/business or other taxes, but their customers usually pay none directly. The mere absence of duty or other taxes on goods being sold does not assure that they are bargains. Costs of identical goods from different duty-free sources can vary widely. They often depend on the presence or absence of nearby competition, e.g., airport stores, especially if all at any airport are owned by

6120-440: The suit. King Power immediately dismissed allegations of corruption relating to its contract with state-owned AOT. The allegations were described as "absolutely untrue" by Dr. Nitinai Sirismatthakarn, President of AoT, who explained the allegations were based on a misunderstanding of contract modifications negotiated by AoT. In effect, fee percentage was effectively reduced, but there is a lack of understanding of this modification in

6205-423: The world (mainly from United States, Asia and Australasia ) and are not found in any other shopping malls in the country, aside from duty-free malls. Tourists, visitors and returning citizens of Philippines often pay a visit to this mall shortly after their arrival (since only arriving passengers and their companions are allowed access). In order to gain entry, a passport is needed to be presented and registered at

6290-534: The world's first duty-free shop at Shannon Airport in Ireland in 1947; it remains in operation today. Designed to provide a service for trans-Atlantic airline passengers typically travelling between Europe and North America whose flights stopped for refuelling on outbound and inbound legs of their journeys, it was an immediate success and has been copied worldwide. Thirteen years later, two American entrepreneurs, Charles Feeney and Robert Warren Miller , founded what

6375-575: The world's largest travel retailer . In 1996 LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton acquired the interests of Feeney and two other shareholders and as of 2012 jointly owned DFS with Miller. In this same period, several locales grew as duty-free shopping destinations. They are exemplified by Saint Martin and the US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean, Hong Kong and Singapore. Still others claim prices competitive to duty-free. Generally, goods are free of duty and tax levied on imports for sale anywhere in

6460-419: Was a lieutenant and registered to a second wife, Piyada, when he was a captain. He currently lives with both women. Bigamy is illegal in Thailand, and is punishable with a jail term. However, Interior Minister Aree Wongsaraya defended Sonthi, claiming that it was a personal matter. He boasted that he himself had six wives. Sonthi is Muslim and of partial Persian lineage. His ancestor, Sheikh Ahmad Qomi ,

6545-471: Was afraid the movement could lead to "mutiny and chaos in the country." As the military junta consolidated its power, Sonthi flip-flopped from earlier promises not to cling to power. In a television interview on 25 June 2007 he hinted at plans to enter politics after he retires as Army chief in September 2007, not denying a suggestion that a new political party might be created for him. The very next day,

6630-611: Was also blamed for failing to rescue two teachers who had been kidnapped and severely beaten by a mob in May 2006. One of them, 24-year-old Juling Pangamoon from Chiang Rai , was long in a coma and attracted fame for the attention paid to her by the royal family of Thailand, finally dying from her brutal beating in January 2009. In August 2006, after 22 commercial banks were simultaneously bombed in Yala province , Sonthi announced that he would break with government policy and negotiate with

6715-461: Was common during the deposed government of Thaksin Shinawatra. A criminal complaint was filed against Sonthi for failing to take action against the officials. "Sonthi knows who the people are. Why hasn't he charged them over their illegal actions?" said PTV executive Veera Musigapong. Amid escalating public criticism of Premier Surayud in March 2007, Chaiwat Sinsuwong , leader of a PAD branch called

6800-492: Was eavesdropping on confidential mobile telephone calls made by junta leaders. AIS and Shin Satellite , Shin Corp's mobile operator and satellite operator, denied the claim. In February 2007, Sonthi vowed in front of a thousand volunteer territorial defence students to reclaim the satellites and other telecom assets. "Soldiers will not tolerate a loss of territory, not even a square inch," he said, and continued about how it

6885-437: Was his specific duty to "retrieve our assets". Sonthi stopped short of threatening to nationalise the telecommunications conglomerate. An opinion poll found more than 78 percent of 1,116 Thais surveyed backed Sonthi's bid to somehow reclaim the satellites. Sonthi's deputy in the CNS, General Saprang Kalayanamitr , noted in a February interview that, "if the telecommunication business is in private hands, it won't be safe for

6970-404: Was launched to "inspire Thais to go further and achieve international success in various aspects, from sports to music and community". The project is focused on sport, music, community and education & health. Duty free A duty-free shop or store is a retail outlet whose goods are exempt from the payment of certain local or national taxes and duties , on the requirement that

7055-481: Was misled into receiving Sondhi, and had no intention to endorse the anti-government activists. On 19 September 2006, Sonthi and other military leaders launched a military coup against the government of Thaksin Shinawatra . The coup-makers originally called themselves the Council for Democratic Reform . Tanks surrounded Government House in Bangkok and the military took over all broadcast media. Thaksin declared

7140-406: Was no bidding for the concessions. As of 2016 King Power operated branches at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Hat Yai airports. King Power's monopoly status stands in sharp contrast to the practice at other comparable international airports. For example, Incheon International Airport has twelve duty-free concessions competing for trade. King Power received the royal warrant from

7225-478: Was revealed that King Power was among the donors at the pro-junta Phalang Pracharat Party 's 600 million baht dinner fundraiser. King Power's aims to promote Thai youth's football potentiality in a comprehensive manner ranging from donate 1 million footballs to youth across Thailand, to installing an international-standard artificial grass football pitch for 100 schools and communities across Thailand within 5 years. The country's leading duty-free retailer has launched

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