Shock Rise On Imported Alcohol By 400 Baht/Litre

[webfact]

Cabinet increases excise tax on tobacco Bt6-8/pack;

on under 80 degree alcoholic drinks by Bt120/litre;

on imported alcoholic beverage by Bt400/litre

-- TNA 2012-08-21

[webfact]

TAXATION

Higher taxes on alcohol/cigarettes

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet today approves the Finance Ministry's proposal to slap a heavier tax rate on alcohol and cigarette products.

The Finance Ministry reasoned that this action would raise the government revenue as well as reduce consumption of the unhealthy products.

With immediate effect, the excise tax rates on eight cigarette brands will be raised by Bt6-Bt8 a pack. The rates on alcohol products would be raised to Bt120 per litre of alcohol for domestically-produced products and Bt400 for imported products.

The excise tax does not require a legal amendment, as the new tax rates are still within the legal limits.

-- The Nation 2012-08-21

RT @tulsathit: Sin taxes will rise immediately (tomorrow), obviously to prevent hoarding and all. @Bodhisutva

[PETERTHEEATER]

So how will it increase revenue if less is sold at a higher price?

And, a bottle of beer (660ml) is to increase by around 100 baht?

Edited August 21, 2012 by PETERTHEEATER

[GentlemanJim]

Well it wont reduce consumption of either. For the poor it will simply mean less money on the table for food for the children whilst Dad still smokes his tabs and drinks whiskey.

[whybother]

Their reasoning for the extra increase on imported alcohol is that it's much more unhealthy than local alcohol.

Edited August 21, 2012 by whybother

[rubl]

Uhm, what about 'open market', 'free trade pacts' with Europe, Germany and France? Plus some funny farang ideas floated by organisations like the WTO ?

[bkkjames]

yea, lets protect the local wine industry.

[tragickingdom]

Probably based on 100%, given the fact that most spirits don't have a content over 40% it will be not that high.

[whistleblower]

So how will it increase revenue if less is sold at a higher price?

And, a bottle of beer (660ml) is to increase by around 100 baht?

Do they mean all alcohol or just spirits?

[tragickingdom]

So how will it increase revenue if less is sold at a higher price?

And, a bottle of beer (660ml) is to increase by around 100 baht?

Other than in backward societies were there is no universal healthcare, the system ends up with sky high costs for everything from liver disease to cancer. Best is therefore to have no turnover at all. Cigarette prices should go to the roof and for alcohol the increases are still very modest given the fact that 1 liter of alcohol does not equal one liter of beer.

[KunMatt]

So, for example, a bottle of Magners will increase from an already expensive 250Baht to about 350Baht a bottle!?

dam_n, I was just getting a taste for the stuff on a hot day!

[gkinbkk]

Bye bye Thailand, its been fun but over the last 2 years about the only that hasn't increased is my pay packet.....

[PETERTHEEATER]

....on under 80 degree alcoholic drinks by Bt120/litre;

This says 'drinks' not straight alchohol.

[Orac]

Lets not panic too quickly. I work out the extra cost on a bottle of San Mig Light being 2 baht.

[bkkjames]

Waiting for a coherent article before passing judgement

[transam]

Looks like another shot in the foot for those in control who can afford any rise.

[renaissanc]

The government is (also) hitting the poor again. They know that the poor like to drink beer and whiskey and that a huge percentage of Thais are addicted to one or the other or to both. While the poor should give up smoking and/or drinking, I expect that most will not.

I suppose that the government has to bring in some more income since it is borrowing, spending, and stealing so much.

[Trentham]

Well it wont reduce consumption of either. For the poor it will simply mean less money on the table for food for the children whilst Dad still smokes his tabs and drinks whiskey.

Well if it is on imported alcohol only it will make no difference to the poor. They only drink local beer and rice whisky they make themselves

[Orac]

So, for example, a bottle of Magners will increase from an already expensive 250Baht to about 350Baht a bottle!?

dam_n, I was just getting a taste for the stuff on a hot day!

I make it about 6 baht on a 330ml bottle and 10 baht on a 568ml (pint) at 4.5% by volume

[george]

Government broke?

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect App

[cloudhopper]

The tax rate will remain zero on all the locally-distilled lao kao and hand-rolled cigars.

Tougher though for those of us with a taste for the good stuff...

[botti]

Nice.... For a botte of red wine costing 500 baths We will now pay 620... 140 % increase !

Do they realise that this is a commercial suicide ?

[carib102]

I must be prescient to have quit drinking 2 weeks ago

[george]

Not good for party goers and tourists I guess, but sure this intended to reduce alcohol intake. Will it help? I doubt.

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect App

[Marvo]

Change the headline to this thread please

[crazykopite]

Dont smoke dont drink so it does not affect me but I feel for those who need there daily intake Just hope they dont put the duty up on coffee !!!

[orang37]

Good news for Lao Kao home-brewers ?

Is 'Johnny Walker' going to get his legs broken ?

Should 'Johnny Walker' perhaps change the name of his 'Gold' flavour to 'Yellow' ?

Should '100 Pipers' change their name to '108 Pipers.' ?

~o:37;

100% supporter of the teetotallist movement: http://e-tidsskrifter.dk/ojs/index.php/scandinavian_political_studies/article/view/13300/25347

[galoubet]

I'm teetotal (in smug mode). Alcohol and motorbikes don't really go well together. What bothers me is the outrageous price I have to pay for orange juice. It's twice the price in Thailand it is in the UK. And the UK doesn't even grow its own oranges!

(late addition) I'm off to France soon where I now have to carry a breathalyser in my car/motorbike even though I don't drink. And you think Thai laws are crazy?

Edited August 21, 2012 by galoubet

[samui34samui]

Nice.... For a botte of red wine costing 500 baths We will now pay 620... 140 % increase !

Do they realise that this is a commercial suicide ?

You must be a mathematician

[quiksilva]

Quite amusing that this warrants a breaking news, anyone would think a disaster has struck Thailand.. oh.. wait..