The Customs Department of the Finance Ministry in Laos will begin collecting valued added tax next month with the department readying equipment and human resources.

“At the beginning we will be collecting VAT at the first Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge between Nong Khai province and Vientiane followed by the other international border crossings,” acting Director-General of the Customs Department Bounpaseuth Sikounlabout told local media during a press conference on Friday.

THAILAND is studying plans to toughen tax collection rules for Internet and technology firms like Alphabet Inc’s Google, the head of the Revenue Department said, as the tax affairs of these firms comes under growing scrutiny in Southeast Asia.