OrBorJor aims for Bt 80 million in room tax

PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Organization Administration (OrBorJor) has set a target of 80 million baht in room tax revenue from hotels by the end of the current fiscal year, which ends September 30.

The announcement was made by OrBorJor President Paiboon Upatising, who admitted that some hotel operators still refuse to pay the tax, which is levied at 1% of the room rate for each day a room is occupied by a guest.

To counter this, K. Paiboon said the OrBorJor now aims to collect the tax from all hotels on the island by launching a campaign to inform hoteliers of what the tax will spent on. “We will hold a conference to explain that the tax will be spent on supporting and promoting tourism to Phuket,” K. Paiboon said.

“The tourism promotion will include the co-operation of tourism organizations, such as the Thai Hotels Association and the Phuket Tourist Association, with which the OrBorJor will launch promotional campaigns and have officers working on each project committee,” he said.

From October 1, 2007 through May 2008 the OrBorJor collected more than 55 million baht in room tax.

During the fiscal year 2006/7, the OrBorJor, under ex-President Anchalee Vanich Thepabutr, collected about 65 million baht in room tax.

K. Paiboon said he expects more than 90 million baht to be collected in room tax in the fiscal year 2008/9.