Raising Liquor Tax Will Save Lives: Thai Academic

[webfact]

Raising liquor tax will save lives: academic

By Duangkamon Sajirawattanakul

The Nation

An academic wants the government to raise liquor taxes to save more people from drink-related deaths.

"Research shows a higher tax rate would deter drinking and reduce alcohol-related deaths by nearly 3,000 people a year," Dr Surasak Chaiyasong of Maha Sarakham University said at a national seminar yesterday.

The seminar, held by the Centre for Alcohol Studies, discussed, "Alcohol Problems in the Globalised World".

Although the current government raised the liquor tax last year, the hike had not reached the maximum level allowed under Thai laws.

The tax amount for white spirits, for example, can rise three-fold if the government decided to impose the maximum tax rate.

"Imposing the maximum tax rate on alcoholic beverages would be good for both people's health and the government's coffers," Surasak said.

He said when the government could earn more tax from the sale of alcohol, it would have more income to spend to help flood victims or pay for crackdowns on illegal alcohol.

Surasak warned the government not to follow suggestions by drink companies that it should impose taxes based solely on the ratio of pure alcohol in drinks.

"That would reduce the liquor price by 21 per cent on average. If the price goes down, alcohol consumption in the country will rise, as will the number of heavy drinkers," the academic said.

Last week, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva hinted that his government had a plan to increase liquor taxes in a bid to better control alcohol consumption in the country.

-- The Nation 2010-11-29

[dominique355]

Let's save the lifes of all these Bordeaux addicts and increase the tax on these Chateau Margaux bottles! At least they can do something good for the flood victims.

But remember: studies show that 75% of all alcohol consumed in Thailand is so-called "white alcohol" (aka moonshine) without any tax.

Edited November 29, 2010 by dominique355

[slapout]

To propose that a liquor tax increase will cut deaths by 3000/year would lead me to questions this academics, academic background. As mentioned, if 70% of the liquor consumed is non taxed, it would appear that you enlarge the bootleg whiskey market. If tax is the answer to lowering deaths, hit the motorbikes, and larger vehicles on the roads and follow suite. The tobacco tax increase seems to have pushed many to buy loose tobacco and roll their own, thus paying virtually no tax.

Maybe a death tax would give people the incentive to live longer, thus lowering deaths. If the death tax were applied to both the deceased and survivors, we might see a lower murder for hire and the balcony jumpers/falls may be reduced.

[Deerculler]

Another Academic with their head up in the clouds. Why don't they get out in the real world.

[bushwacker]

Another Academic with their head up in the clouds. Why don't they get out in the real world.

I really do not think that his head is in the clouds but rather some where dark and stinky!!! I think this is another example of being able to make research (stats) do what ever you want to make your point. The research is obviously extremely flawed.

[hammered]

Locally produced illicit spirits arent taxed and they represent most of what the rural; population drink, so it is unlikely a tax increase will achieve much other than more funds for education and health which it could be argued are good things in themsleves

[gotlost]

Lets cut to the chase and call the statement what it really is BULL SHIT.

[Thai at Heart]

Locally produced illicit spirits arent taxed and they represent most of what the rural; population drink, so it is unlikely a tax increase will achieve much other than more funds for education and health which it could be argued are good things in themsleves

As is the same for cigarettes. two markets exist, branded and chop chop.

[jayjay0]

Another Academic with their head up in the clouds. Why don't they get out in the real world.

Some f the stupidest people I know have a collage education.

On the other hand it will give the government more money. Most of it will be coming from foreigners. The big question is what will they do with it?:jap:

[cup-O-coffee]

I am not sure I understand why this is even newsworthy. An academic wants the government to do something? So what. A lot of academics want their governments to do something.

Is this academic petitioning the government? What is the petition number? What steps has this academic taken so far to get the government's attention? Is the government even acknowledging this academic?

Or is this more journalistic crap, where a reporter marries up several articles that appear to be related, but upon further review are no relation whatsoever.

I think it is journalistic crap because there is no mention of the author and his supportive ideas on why his crusade to punish drinkers is better than the million other crusaders out there who want to see liquor taxes, but for different reasons. I think the newspaper reporter is bored, and so is the editor. "Let's bring together two ambiguous ideas, and make them seem related and, and see what sort of stir we can get out of the general public.

Unless the academic and the government are interacting with each other, then there are another million wannabe stories out there that academics would love to see an article with their name printed in a major newspaper.

Surely this academic's paper is on a PDF somewhere on the Internet so we can read it? Surely this academic is respected among his or her peers? No? Alright then! How about sodding this story and instead citing "young Jutaporn; a 9 year old student who went to parliament to ask the PM to make his daddy stop drinking and kick the football with him instead".

[RedNIvar]

This tax increase will mostly hit foreigners, most of whom do not consume tax free moonshine. Also most of whom take a cab instead of driving drunk. I think the government is trying to recover the income loss from reduced tourist visiting the country by taxing the foreigners that are already here.

A typical Thai BS move.

[rkidlad]

I think this is a great idea! It's win win. A tax increase lowers the number of alcohol related deaths, and it also increases more revenue for the lovely politicians to put back into schools and hospitals etc. Even if the number of deaths doesn't go down, it's still win for the people being educated or treated in hospital.

[hammered]

This tax increase will mostly hit foreigners, most of whom do not consume tax free moonshine. Also most of whom take a cab instead of driving drunk. I think the government is trying to recover the income loss from reduced tourist visiting the country by taxing the foreigners that are already here.

A typical Thai BS move.

Actually it hits urban Thais more than foreigners who represent an insignificant part of the tax base. That it hits better paid workers, through middle classes to upper classes and foreigners (who are relatively well heeled compared to poor Thais) is actually not necessarily a bad thing as most countries with an income distribution like Thailand look to tax rich and use the revenue to advantage poor. That isnt a bad idea. What is silly about this is the way it is argued as being a way to cut alcohol related health problems

[uncletom]

Might just help to close more bars and bankrupt families. Once a drinker, always a drinker, and proud of it!, I always say. Drink until you die, but in moderation for the most times....

Decrease deaths from drunken driving … HardlyI would think!

uncletom.

[jonclark]

This tax increase will mostly hit foreigners, most of whom do not consume tax free moonshine. Also most of whom take a cab instead of driving drunk. I think the government is trying to recover the income loss from reduced tourist visiting the country by taxing the foreigners that are already here.

A typical Thai BS move.

A typical BS move

If the governement were serious about reducing deaths then surely making moonshine illegal to produce and sell would be the first thing to do. But we all know why they won't do that.

Personally i'm gonna stop drinking and start smoking weed if the government increases tax (again) , as a form of passive protest

[gregb]

Actually, I support slowly raising the alcohol tax over time. I probably drink more than I should, and creeping prices might just convince me to make due without sometimes. Key word here is slowly.

A dramatic increase by a factor of 3 will do nothing to stem alcohol consumption. What it will do is lead to massive smuggling, and everyone knows this. I would check the connections this academic has and see if he could be pushing this for the benefit of some dark influences. The taxes simply aren't high enough right now to justify the expenses and risks of smuggling, but raise them quickly and dramatically and you create a windfall for those (men in green, men in brown) who have the ability to bypass certain controls.

Shocking any kind of a system that has found an equilibrium often creates wild oscillations that can take a long time to die out. Any academic who has even a modicum of intelligence should know this.

[klikster]

Some f the stupidest people I know have a collage education.

Sorry, I just couldn't resist.

[uncletom]

Might just help to close more bars and bankrupt families. Once a drinker, always a drinker, and proud of it!, I always say. Drink until you die, but in moderation for the most times....

Decrease deaths from drunken driving … HardlyI would think!

uncletom.

To elaborate on my post. I meant to say, that more families will be going bankrupt because the man of the house will still drink at home and or still go out and drink. Nothing changes except for the taxes. Great way to keep on increasing the gap between the rich and the middle and lower class, and or financially decrease the foreigners staying here. What more is there to life when we get the chance in between our daytime activities and family life if you have one?

uncletom

[Kered]

Another Academic with their head up in the clouds. Why don't they get out in the real world.

Agree, Academics generally have very little knowledge or experience of the real world. Particularly in Thailand where it is well known that the standard of education leaves a lot to be desired. They should keep their mouth shut until they able able to engage their brain.

[asiawatcher]

Aimed at the Poor again. The middle and upper class can pay it but why bother. Tax is just another greed factor for Governments and is not going to stop drinkers - it will get the low end people doing their own potent and most likely, dangerous brews. Nothing like poor people being forced to manufacture ole Moonshine!

[SweeneyAgonistes]

Agree, Academics generally have very little knowledge or experience of the real world.

And, of course, as someone in the 'real world' - academics, as we all know, live in the imaginary world - your knowledge of academics is based on intimate personal experience, right?

On the other hand it will give the government more money. Most of it will be coming from foreigners.

Yes, absolutely. Every Thai I know drinks only moonshine. I've never seen any of the natives drink beer or whiskey. Not a penny goes to the Thai treasury from Thais paying duty - only those magnanimous foreigners who so kindly keep the country above water, balanced as it is delicately atop their ballooning beer-bellies.

Sigh.

[tim armstrong]

Agree, Academics generally have very little knowledge or experience of the real world.

And, of course, as someone in the 'real world' - academics, as we all know, live in the imaginary world - your knowledge of academics is based on intimate personal experience, right?

On the other hand it will give the government more money. Most of it will be coming from foreigners.

Yes, absolutely. Every Thai I know drinks only moonshine. I've never seen any of the natives drink beer or whiskey. Not a penny goes to the Thai treasury from Thais paying duty - only those magnanimous foreigners who so kindly keep the country above water, balanced as it is delicately atop their ballooning beer-bellies.

Sigh.

Good one. I find it interesting that hardly anyone on this post is saying that alcohol consumption in Thailand by either Thais or farlang is a problem. Yet on other threads posters are sorry for farlang who suicide. Excess alcohol consumption is involved in about 66% of all suicides. (Source: World Health Organisation) Further, probably the majority of motorbike accidents here involve excessive alcohol consumption.You just need to visit a public hospital to confirm that. Then of course there is Songkran. Last year 3,000 deaths I think. Not all,but many alcohol related. Farlang with alcohol related problems or illnesses ?? - no, surely not really that many?

[Bengt]

Alcohol is much to cheap in Thailand and a tax raise would do good for the country...ex. alcohol tax to support the poor population.

100 THb for a small beer sounds ok and 200 THB for a big one.

[Humphrey Bear]

Alcohol is much to cheap in Thailand and a tax raise would do good for the country...ex. alcohol tax to support the poor population.

100 THb for a small beer sounds ok and 200 THB for a big one.

Scandinavian prices are fine if one has a Scandinavian income.

200THB is just under US $7, or 5 euro. Not many Thais will pay anything approaching that. They'll go out and buy a bottle of moonshine (which many prefer to beer).

[Robby nz]

Even if it only provides more money for health and education it will save more lives.

[Bengt]

Alcohol is much to cheap in Thailand and a tax raise would do good for the country...ex. alcohol tax to support the poor population.

100 THb for a small beer sounds ok and 200 THB for a big one.

Scandinavian prices are fine if one has a Scandinavian income.

200THB is just under US $7, or 5 euro. Not many Thais will pay anything approaching that. They'll go out and buy a bottle of moonshine (which many prefer to beer).

Better to see Thais sober than drunk...so even with farangs...Thailand have so much to offer that much more worth than drinkings....drugs,alcohol and smoking KILLS!

[Bengt]

I see no reason to get drunk and about poor Thais, they can avoid if they don't have income enough to pay for it.

I see many farangs in beer-bars that gladly paying up to 100 THB for a small Singha, some of my friends spends more than 100.000 THB per month mostly in beer-bars.

I don't mind if the government rise the tax of alcohol by a very high percentage.

Narcotics,alcohol and smoking KILLS!!

Edited November 29, 2010 by Bengt

[Bengt]

Let's save the lifes of all these Bordeaux addicts and increase the tax on these Chateau Margaux bottles! At least they can do something good for the flood victims.

But remember: studies show that 75% of all alcohol consumed in Thailand is so-called "white alcohol" (aka moonshine) without any tax.

Many years ago I use to make my own Vodka and become an addict but I am dry since 9 years and very happy I stop.

Why not the government increase the penalty for illegal made alcohol?...

[SweeneyAgonistes]

It seems amazing that anyone could object to attempts to control alcohol consumption in Thailand. If you spend 5 minutes here, it's clear that it's a major social problem. The carnage on the roads is an obvious example. Less easy to see, but far worse, is domestic abuse, both physical and sexual. It may seem outrageous to a wealthy foreigner that he - and it is always 'he' - has to pay a bit more for his beer but it's probably less obvious to the abused wife and child who get battered about, and worse, when the husband comes home steaming. And the fact that village-made spirits are untaxed isn't a reason for not putting up taxes on other types of alcohol; it's a reason for taxing them too.

[uncletom]

Alcohol is much to cheap in Thailand and a tax raise would do good for the country...ex. alcohol tax to support the poor population.

100 THb for a small beer sounds ok and 200 THB for a big one.

Do you even drink? Most main stream BKK bars already charge that, so according to your statement that would hostage the small beer off the cost's charts. Chiang Mai is 3/4 of that price in a bar. Think about just from a 7-11. I find that an absurd statement, and maybe i would start brewing and moon shining my own same as the Thai' will do.

Just an unbelievable statement.

The tax would never go to support the poor, but it might creat a bunch more of them.

uncletom