Thai Govt Plans New Tax To Cut Alcohol Consumption

[webfact]

Govt plans new tax to cut alcohol consumption

By The Nation

Women imbibers up by 65%, teens by 70%, health report finds

The government has planned to increase liquor tax in a bid to better control alcoholic consumption in the country.

The latest liquor tax hike took place last year. "We have made it clear from the very beginning that we won't raise the tax just once," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday said at a seminar.

Held by the Centre for Alcohol Studies, the seminar discussed "Alcohol Problems in the Globalised World". Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said the number of regular drinkers had increased by 20 per cent over the past decade. "The number of female drinkers, in particular, has increased by 65 per cent," he disclosed. "The number of teenage drinkers has also risen by up to 70 per cent."

According to the Excise Department, up to 51.1 million Thais consumed alcohol in 2007 and 14.9 millions of them were regular drinkers. A survey by Prince of Songkla University also showed drinking teenagers faced a greater risk of being forced into sex than non-drinkers did.

"This leads to problems such as unwanted pregnancies and abortions," Jurin said. "It's necessary that relevant authorities find measures to deter drinking and reduce the number of new drinkers."

The Cabinet has already approved four strategies for alcohol consumption. The first is tax measures, restrictions on sale times and the number of distribution outlets. The second is about efforts to change public attitude on drinking. The third focuses on how to prevent drinking that leads to unsafe behaviour, illness and death. The fourth deals with tangible measures at community levels.

Abhisit said the civil sector, too, could help with the controls on alcohol.

"The monitoring of activities by the civil sector would allow better law enforcement," he pointed out.

Abhisit said the government would also try to find out how best to control ads promoting alcoholic beverages.

Although these ads have increasingly faced many restrictions, ad campaigns by alcohol companies have continued to appeal to the public. With ad messages focusing on public services, they have made many people feel drinkers are good members of society.

"This is a problem," the premier maintained.

-- The Nation 2010-11-23

[jucel]

i'm pretty sure if the cost of liquor goes up, then people will just drink the really cheap & dangerous stuff! Same with cigarettes. Recently, I have seen a lot more people(including foreigners) smoking the 20 baht a packet brands, which I assume are full of chemicals.

[Ulysses G.]

i'm pretty sure if the cost of liquor goes up, then people will just drink the really cheap & dangerous stuff!

Exactly. This tax will not reduce drinking. It will just make poor people even poorer.

[Kered]

Taxation may reduce the consumption of alcohol by responsible people but it will not solve the fundamental problem within Thai society.

The fact that Alcohol has to be banned during an election is a sad reflection of the culture of the Thai people. Higher tax is not the answer those that want alcohol will find the money and other necessities may be neglected. A change to basic education at all levels, home, school etc. is required to create a sense of responsibility within the population. The number of people drinking is not a problem if it is carried out in a responsible manner. Unfortunately it may take more than a generation to achieve a change of attitude in Thailand.

[Colabamumbai]

Taxes on alcohol and tobacco do not reduce consumption. They are usually the first things that a government raises taxes on to earn more money. Taxes on cigarettes and alcohol in Canada are 50%. Ten bucks for a pack of smokes.

[Phatcharanan]

Taxes on alcohol and tobacco do not reduce consumption.

Google 'do high taxes reduce smoking etc'.

Plenty of surveys would suggest that it does.

[brahmburgers]

Actually, this thread and the recent big news of fetus findings in Bkk are related.

Consider: a large proportion of those fetuses were the result of rape or date rape, or at least strong coercion by ever-horny guys. Those same guys have zero sense of responsibility for their actions, but that's a slightly different topic - though it contributes to abortions.

So, how many of those rapes, date rapes and coercions were alcohol fueled? Pretty close to 100% if you ask me (ok, you didn't ask me). Whatever it takes to lessen alcohol consumption is probably worthwhile. I don't think raising prices on booze will have near as much affect as educating youngsters on the effects of alcohol on the body and mind. I'm talking REAL education, with graphic pictures, and guest appearances by drunks and former drunks - including all the ugly realities of alcohol use.

Politicians won't want real education, because they're all drinkers themselves. For the same reason, they won't support strong penalties for alcohol fueled rapes, date rapes.

For their part, the purveyors of alcoholic drinks, a multi-billion dollar worldwide industry, will do all they can to stifle limits on alcohol sales. Though they know society in general is hooked, so they'll keep their billion baht campaigns going full tilt: Singha, Chang, Johnny Walker, Seagrams, Absolut, ....the list goes on and on.

Let's face it, Thailand, like nearly every other country, is totally hooked on drinking fermented sugars mixed with yeast poop (otherwise known as alcoholic beverages). Nothing's going to change that much at all. In a way it's good for the planet as a whole, as it puts a dent in overpopulation.

Edited November 23, 2010 by brahmburgers

[phaethon]

Consider: a large proportion of those fetuses were the result of rape or date rape, or at least strong coercion by ever-horny guys. Those same guys have zero sense of responsibility for their actions, but that's a slightly different topic - though it contributes to abortions.

And where, pray, did you get that little gem from?

Just news of an alcohol tax will be enough excuse to double the prices of booze on Soi Cowboy, trouble is the price of soft drinks will quadruple.

Tobacco tax - just making smokers miserable is reward enough.

[bushwacker]

Taxes on alcohol and tobacco do not reduce consumption. They are usually the first things that a government raises taxes on to earn more money. Taxes on cigarettes and alcohol in Canada are 50%. Ten bucks for a pack of smokes.

Totally agree. Governments just increase tax to make money and tell the same old story to justify the increase. Do people really believe that they are increasing the tax to save us? What a load of BS.

<"The government has planned to increase liquor tax in a bid to better control alcoholic consumption in the country."> This comment is so idiotic that it is funny. Consumers will either just pay the extra, buy cheaper or buy moonshine. :jap:

[RedNIvar]

I am assuming the problem being addressed here is mostly with the lower income group. I'd like to see how the government is going to go about increasing tax on Thai moonshine. It will be business as usual.

A lot of TV members will probably bitch about the increase in beer price, but will still be thankful that it is still a lot cheaper than Malaysia or Singapore.

The government will be happy as they can supplement the income loss due to reduced travelers into the country, from the increase alcohol tax.

The poor innocent drug dealers that faced genocide under the Taksin regime, can finally get back on their feet and make a decent living once again. People still need their high, and the Drug tax to the local officials has not changed. So it is safe to assume that they stand to gain by this decision.

The government scores a lot of brownie points by trying to make a change.

A good move if you ask me.

[craigt3365]

You can get booze tax free on military bases...unreal. So the cops, army and navy can still drink at cheap prices, but the poor people will now be making their own. Or just continue to drink 40 degree, which is really cheap.

[needforspeed]

How much this Tax increase gonna be?

[jayjay0]

Taxation may reduce the consumption of alcohol by responsible people but it will not solve the fundamental problem within Thai society.

The fact that Alcohol has to be banned during an election is a sad reflection of the culture of the Thai people. Higher tax is not the answer those that want alcohol will find the money and other necessities may be neglected. A change to basic education at all levels, home, school etc. is required to create a sense of responsibility within the population. The number of people drinking is not a problem if it is carried out in a responsible manner. Unfortunately it may take more than a generation to achieve a change of attitude in Thailand.

Good points

If they are going to raise the tax on alcohol it will not really accomplish any thing towards stopping abuse of it. It wwill just mean more money for the Government.

If on the other hand they were to take all the revenue from this tax and apply it to as you say

" A change to basic education at all levels, home, school etc. is required to create a sense of responsibility within the population"

Then it will make a difference.

[hammered]

There is no tax on the locally made Lao Khao whihc is what a majority of the poor drink. 800 baht for 40 litres or something.

[Thaddeus]

How much this Tax increase gonna be?

Well, the Montgolfier brothers discovered that with enough hot air you can make anything go almost as high as you want, and this place has no shortage of hot air.

[Siripon]

In my opinion the real villain is white whisky เหล้าขาว, which is not taxed according to its alcohol content but according to its price. It changes pleasant people into argumentative, aggressive imbeciles. Unfortunately any government that taxed it based on the alcohol content would face a backlash, but I hope Khun Korn has the courage to do just that.

[Brunus]

With ad messages focusing on public services, they have made many people feel drinkers are good members of society.

"This is a problem," the premier maintained.

I can't believe this. There are outstanding members of society who are drinkers. The problem, as others have pointed out, is teaching moderation and responsibility.

[needforspeed]

How much this Tax increase gonna be?

Well, the Montgolfier brothers discovered that with enough hot air you can make anything go almost as high as you want, and this place has no shortage of hot air.

A few years later Blanchard tought the same but he fell from his baloon and ended up dead .

[robsamui]

Taxation may reduce the consumption of alcohol by responsible people but it will not solve the fundamental problem within Thai society.

The fact that Alcohol has to be banned during an election is a sad reflection of the culture of the Thai people. Higher tax is not the answer those that want alcohol will find the money and other necessities may be neglected. A change to basic education at all levels, home, school etc. is required to create a sense of responsibility within the population. The number of people drinking is not a problem if it is carried out in a responsible manner. Unfortunately it may take more than a generation to achieve a change of attitude in Thailand.

Good points

If they are going to raise the tax on alcohol it will not really accomplish any thing towards stopping abuse of it. It wwill just mean more money for the Government.

If on the other hand they were to take all the revenue from this tax and apply it to as you say

" A change to basic education at all levels, home, school etc. is required to create a sense of responsibility within the population"

Then it will make a difference.

Well that's not going to happen for at least another generation. The education of its subjects is the last thing the current regime wants. Education is not even compulsory in this country and you only have to look at the schools's curriculum to see how narrow, unstimulating and nationalistic the subject matter is.

I notice that the government spokesman doesn't refer to violence or road accidents resulting from alcohol. This is just another case of making the right sort of loud noises. because of the same pomp and "official" Thailand is now rated (I read somewhere) as one of the world's foremost anti-smoking nations. Solely due to the supposed policies it has in place. But you never see or hear of any of these actually being enforced ...

R

[robsamui]

Taxation may reduce the consumption of alcohol by responsible people but it will not solve the fundamental problem within Thai society.

The fact that Alcohol has to be banned during an election is a sad reflection of the culture of the Thai people. Higher tax is not the answer those that want alcohol will find the money and other necessities may be neglected. A change to basic education at all levels, home, school etc. is required to create a sense of responsibility within the population. The number of people drinking is not a problem if it is carried out in a responsible manner. Unfortunately it may take more than a generation to achieve a change of attitude in Thailand.

Good points

If they are going to raise the tax on alcohol it will not really accomplish any thing towards stopping abuse of it. It wwill just mean more money for the Government.

If on the other hand they were to take all the revenue from this tax and apply it to as you say

" A change to basic education at all levels, home, school etc. is required to create a sense of responsibility within the population"

Then it will make a difference.

[asiawatcher]

"... "This leads to problems such as unwanted pregnancies and abortions," Jurin said."

Well they obviously did not drink enough to fall down and sleep so what is the problem! What a ridiculous statement! Another poseur riding up on recent media reports.

[chainarong]

Thai Gov must have been talking to the Australian wowser unit in Canberra.

[slapout]

One professional group blames smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages for impotence and another group blames their use on rapes, abortions, etc. I guess both groups will support the tax increase proposed as they all seem to agree that tax is a problem solver. Now what was the problem again? Insufficient funds for the proposed pet projects for our extended family/cohorts.

[slapout]

One professional group blames smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages for impotence and another group blames their use on rapes, abortions, etc. I guess both groups will support the tax increase proposed as they all seem to agree that tax is a problem solver. Now what was the problem again? Insufficient funds for the proposed pet projects for our extended family/cohorts.

[Thai at Heart]

Taxes on alcohol and tobacco do not reduce consumption.

Google 'do high taxes reduce smoking etc'.

Plenty of surveys would suggest that it does.

Very very slowly.

The highest tax rated countries in the world still have 20% smoking rates against global rates of 30%.

Raising taxes has far more to do with raising revenue than reducing smoking. Work place and public place bans are far more effective.

[rgs2001uk]

In the UK booze is expensive, but every Mr.Patel corner shop, garage sells booze, demand, what ever the price. Now big problem with kids drinking, they think it's the norm, booze with the sweets. Same here, it's the culture, Thais will always drink, so other stuff will suffer.

Quote "In the UK booze is expensive"

Take it you havent been to the UK for a while, take a walk into your local Tesco, they are damned near giving it away.

[evanson]

In my opinion the real villain is white whisky เหล้าขาว, which is not taxed according to its alcohol content but according to its price. It changes pleasant people into argumentative, aggressive imbeciles. Unfortunately any government that taxed it based on the alcohol content would face a backlash, but I hope Khun Korn has the courage to do just that.

He has neither the courage nor the impetus. What does he care that many poor Thais drink this poison? Why doesn't the Government consult with their hospitals on the percentage of Thais dying from diseases of the liver and which particular 'brand' may have hastened/caused it??

Lao Khao is the drug of choice of the impoverished Thai. Doubt if Korn's ever tasted it. Any tax increase on all other alcohol will merely drive more Thais to consume this poison, for that is what it is,(remember how Irish Pocheen could turn a person blind? Well lao khao destroys the liver very quickly)and overloads their already overstretched resources, much the same as smoking cigarettes. Lots of Tax Revenue, but a larger proportion having to be allocated to the health care system as in the West. Insane.

Edited November 23, 2010 by evanson

[evanson]

In the UK booze is expensive, but every Mr.Patel corner shop, garage sells booze, demand, what ever the price. Now big problem with kids drinking, they think it's the norm, booze with the sweets. Same here, it's the culture, Thais will always drink, so other stuff will suffer.

Quote "In the UK booze is expensive"

Take it you havent been to the UK for a while, take a walk into your local Tesco, they are damned near giving it away.

Yes, and it's much more likely to be White Lightning than a Pinot Noir.

[PhilHarries]

In the UK booze is expensive, but every Mr.Patel corner shop, garage sells booze, demand, what ever the price. Now big problem with kids drinking, they think it's the norm, booze with the sweets. Same here, it's the culture, Thais will always drink, so other stuff will suffer.

Quote "In the UK booze is expensive"

Take it you havent been to the UK for a while, take a walk into your local Tesco, they are damned near giving it away.

Quite, but even if you compare drinking in similar quality surroundings, i.e. pubs not the concrete tables outside 7-11, beer is a similar price in Thailand as the UK and in a lot of places more expensive (not including central London of course).

As others have said, taxes on stuff like booze and smokes has absolutley nothing to do with the government's concern for the health of it's citizens. It's all about raising revenue and the Thai government have, as I have feared and predicted, found the holy grail of taxation. Now, just like the UK, they can raise the level every year all in the name of making you more healthy.

Anyone up for a nice little earner? I can buy Bia Hoi here for less than 4,000 VND a liter (20 cents US). All we need is someone with a boat, ship it up to Koh Chang or across to Samui, and we'll make a fortune.

Yes, and it's much more likely to be White Lightning than a Pinot Noir.

[LaoPo]

The government has planned to increase liquor tax in a bid to better control alcoholic consumption in the country.

Right, and at the same time the Government announces a Corporate Tax cut, down from 30% to 18%.

Here:

Next to that Thailand is officially back into recession; so...

Q: what do you do than?

A: cut the taxes for the rich corporations and tax the Thai for his alcohol consumption and the rich will become richer

LaoPo

Edited November 23, 2010 by LaoPo