The 2005 Excise Tax Collection In Phuket Reached 381 Million Baht, Up 43% From 2004.

The post tsunami may have hurt many businesses, but the excise tax collection of the year 2005 was not apparently affected by the situation. According to official figures, at the year end of 2005, the Phuket Excise Office could collect a total of 381 million baht income, 43% up from the previous year. The major income was earned from fuel which accounted for 314 million baht, an increase of 51% from 2004, while tax collected from massage parlors was at 23 million baht up 18% and 4 million baht came from night clubs and discotheques, an increase of 50%.

Meanwhile the excise tax from certain businesses did decline sharply, including golf courses which brought 28 million baht, a drop of 9% from the previous year. The yachting industry contributed to only about 40,000 baht from previous year’s figure of 1.9 million baht, due to the lowering level of taxes. The licensing of alcohol and cigarette sales also declined 43 % due to government active campaigns against the consumption and the tsunami affects.

from Andaman News TV11 Phuket, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket + Radio Thailand FM90.5 Phuket, 8.30am Monday 20 February 2006 & www.Thaisnews.com