reprinted from:

Hoteliers vow to defy local occupancy tax
 

By Ekkarat Mukem
Copyright 1999 The Bangkok Post
Reprinted with permission
Article date: August 26, 1999
 

Hoteliers in Songkhla have voiced strong opposition to a provincial administration organisation move to collect occupancy tax.

The Confederation of Hoteliers and Tourism Operators in Songkhla has recently resolved not to comply with the PAO ordinance, said a confederation source.

The May 1 ordinance requires all Songkhla hotels to pay a 2.0% occupancy tax to the PAO.

Pol Maj-Gen Manote Kaiwong, chairman of the confederation, said many hoteliers disagreed with the tax as it would badly affect hotel clients.

Sources said the confederation had lodged a petition with the Songkhla PAO chairman requesting a two-year deferment, citing the economic slowdown. They also urged that the 2.0% occupancy tax be reduced to 0.5%.

Pichai Raktasing, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Southern Region Office, said PAOs are empowered to issue ordinances on occupancy tax, fuel and cigarettes within their jurisdiction.

However, they are to spell out measures to spend the tax money to promote tourism and hotel business, added Mr Pichai.

Petrol station operators in Songkhla have strongly opposed the PAO tax collection plan.
 

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