Plan to tax online outlets favours big retailers over SMEs

Each channel of distribution has its pros and cons, and whichever gives consumers the best value for money should rightfully win out. Thus, Revenue Department chief Prasong Poontaneat’s plan to tax online sales by up to 15 per cent so that Central Department Store can better compete makes no sense.
Online sales are especially important to small and medium-size enterprises, because they reach out to clients at low costs, and SMEs are critical to our economy and to our achieving Thailand 4.0 status. In a slow-growth economy such as ours, every baht is precious, and the government should be helping consumers stretch their income.
The junta can help bricks-and-mortar stores survive by helping them to adjust to today’s more competitive environment with, for instance, tax breaks for store renovations or staff training.
Promote competition, don’t hamper it.
Burin Kantabutra