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Alcohol tax going up again

AyG

By AyG
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AyG Platinum Member

AyG

Posted
Posted

It's been 12 months since the last hike in tax on alcohol, so time for another one. According to newspaper reports, this hike could be draconian. Current taxes are 100 Baht/litre of pure alcohol for beer and wine or 60% of value, and 400 Baht/litre or 50% of value for spirits. This is going to go up to 2000 Baht/litre pure alcohol for both beer and spirits, or, for the percentage method, the tax will now be based upon retail price, rather than ex-factory price as it currently.

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StefanBBK Silver Member

StefanBBK

Posted
Posted

I was waiting for this post since I read the news this morning.

Somebody figured out a bottle of Chang would cost 170 baht.

This is nuts. Kitti lost complete touch with reality. Thais would riot, and then brew moonshine.

Tourists numbers would decline.

And how about ASEAN in 2015? I thought by then we could start an importing LAO beer business?

Anyway, honestly guys, I am by no means a heavy drinker. So it will not impact me much. But many Thais are.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

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StefanBBK Silver Member

StefanBBK

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A quick calculation shows a bottle of beer will be going up by 60bht if those rates are used. Aint gonna happen.

Sent from my GT-I9003 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Sorry for using 170/ bottle in my earlier post. I quoted the figure without checking. 60 baht per large bottle is about right, based on alcohol content. If it will be based on retail price, it is a whole different story.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

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WinnieTheKhwai Star Member

WinnieTheKhwai

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Posted (edited)

I was waiting for this post since I read the news this morning.

It's a relatively long wait because The Nation did not have the story. wink.png

So then it's like it didn't happen.

Which may actually be for the better, as is usually the case with newspaper articles, they are always wrong.

Would be good to wait for more details but in summary my money is on it being yet another moderate hike, same as last year, and before that, etc.

Edited by WinnieTheKhwai
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Totster Star Member

Totster

Posted
Posted

It's ok, I have found it.. The actual increase has not been set as yet though, looks like they have just endorsed a rise "up to" that figure..

The Finance Ministry would determine the exact tax rates which it will impose.

totster :)

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theblether Diamond Member

theblether

Posted
Posted (edited)

Sleepless nights ahead for many, well done OP. sad.pngviolin.gif.pagespeed.ce.8MK3fN8NTC.gif

By the way, if your a bar owner, it's time to drag out every spare penny that you have and get ready to bulk buy at the current price. I doubt it will increase by that much but the more money you put in stock the better.

Edited by theblether
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robblok Star Member

robblok

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Posted

I am pretty sure this would be one of the reasons for many expats to leave the country. Or we just all switch over to yabaa as it is cheaper. Seems like a great thing to do to drive away tourists and to make the local populace use more illegal drugs.

I will be one of the not affected ones as i don't drink, just think of how it will affect all those bar girls who rely on drunk customers because they are past their sell by date.

Hard times ahead for almost everyone.

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WinnieTheKhwai Star Member

WinnieTheKhwai

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Posted (edited)

Maybe we should do a topic on how to decrease the cost of drinking.. For example I already often get to drink the second hand spirits after the spirits (and ghosts and other supernatural entities) are done with it. I could get much more proactive with that.

And it looks like tax will be based more on retail price, meaning I should learn to appreciate things like Blend, Black Cock and so on. And I think bars should/will stock that more, as those drinks will be less affected due to their low retail price. (Both Blend and Black Cock are actually pretty decent, compared to other cheap spirits. (Steer clear of Hong Thong, Varinthip, etc.)

Edited by WinnieTheKhwai
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AyG Platinum Member

AyG

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I imagine that this is not going to be a popular post, but considering how much alcohol directly and indirectly costs Thai society, the tax should be adjusted yearly for inflation.

I wouldn't disagree. However, the tax structure is illogical. Wine - a relatively low alcohol drink - is taxed extremely highly here - whilst spirits are ludicrously cheap. Imported Scotch whisky costs far less here than it does in Scotland. Lao khao causes far more harm to society than Chateau Lafite Rothschild ever will. If addressing the societal cost of alcohol were important Thailand would tax drinks according to alcohol content (as virtually every other country in the world does), rather than use a system based upon the personal interests of certain influential individuals.

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Totster Star Member

Totster

Posted
Posted

Maybe we should do a topic on how to decrease the cost of drinking.. For example I already often get to drink the second hand spirits after the spirits (and ghosts and other supernatural entities) are done with it. I could get much more proactive with that.

And it looks like tax will be based more on retail price, meaning I should learn to appreciate things like Blend, Black Cock and so on. And I think bars should/will stock that more, as those drinks will be less affected due to their low retail price. (Both Blend and Black Cock are actually pretty decent, compared to other cheap spirits. (Steer clear of Hong Thong, Varinthip, etc.)

Do you think you can ever learn to appreciate Black Cock ?

totster whistling.gif

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mengfarmer Apprentice Member

mengfarmer

Posted
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. (Steer clear of Hong Thong, Varinthip, etc.)

Öhhh...Hong Thong w Ginger Ale is sep mak :)

Also morning coffey w hong thong in it...:)

and just hong thong straigth up in shot to stop hang over...

and if there is no Hong Thong...Lao Khao w krating deng will do wll

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WinnieTheKhwai Star Member

WinnieTheKhwai

Posted
Posted

Maybe we should do a topic on how to decrease the cost of drinking.. For example I already often get to drink the second hand spirits after the spirits (and ghosts and other supernatural entities) are done with it. I could get much more proactive with that.

And it looks like tax will be based more on retail price, meaning I should learn to appreciate things like Blend, Black Cock and so on. And I think bars should/will stock that more, as those drinks will be less affected due to their low retail price. (Both Blend and Black Cock are actually pretty decent, compared to other cheap spirits. (Steer clear of Hong Thong, Varinthip, etc.)

Do you think you can ever learn to appreciate Black Cock ?

Try it; it's much nicer/smoother than you'd think.

Mix with Coke. Tastes a bit like the old Sangsom Similan, which was nice stuff too.

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Lancelot Platinum Member

Lancelot

Posted
Posted

In the 3 years I have been back living here, a can of SML in the 7/11 has gone from B33 to B36, hardly a disaster

You get a discount? Every 7-11 I've been to sells small San Mig Light for 40 baht. Large bottles are 65...

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CPT Advanced Member

CPT

Posted
Posted (edited)

Maybe we should do a topic on how to decrease the cost of drinking.. For example I already often get to drink the second hand spirits after the spirits (and ghosts and other supernatural entities) are done with it. I could get much more proactive with that.

And it looks like tax will be based more on retail price, meaning I should learn to appreciate things like Blend, Black Cock and so on. And I think bars should/will stock that more, as those drinks will be less affected due to their low retail price. (Both Blend and Black Cock are actually pretty decent, compared to other cheap spirits. (Steer clear of Hong Thong, Varinthip, etc.)

Do you think you can ever learn to appreciate Black Cock ?

Try it; it's much nicer/smoother than you'd think.

Mix with Coke. Tastes a bit like the old Sangsom Similan, which was nice stuff too.

Does it hurt the next day?

They say once you've tried it you'll never go back...

Does it come in a big package?

Sorry... couldn't resist rolleyes.gif

I suspect such an unfortunate name will keep many of us from trying it.

Conversation at the bar:

"Man, you look rough. You feeling OK?"

"Yeah, just had too much black cock last night."

Edited by CPT
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bartender100 Platinum Member

bartender100

Posted
Posted (edited)

In the 3 years I have been back living here, a can of SML in the 7/11 has gone from B33 to B36, hardly a disaster

You get a discount? Every 7-11 I've been to sells small San Mig Light for 40 baht. Large bottles are 65...

I did say can

Edited by bartender100
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nellyp Silver Member

nellyp

Posted
Posted

In the 3 years I have been back living here, a can of SML in the 7/11 has gone from B33 to B36, hardly a disaster

You get a discount? Every 7-11 I've been to sells small San Mig Light for 40 baht. Large bottles are 65...

I did say can

So... how much is a can't?

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andrewrooney Advanced Member

andrewrooney

Posted
Posted

That other news site we're not supposed to link to had a pretty comprehensive article on this. Basically the legislation will allow them to raise the tax up to a pretty massive amount, but won't do so immediately. It will allow the tax board to raise the taxes at their discretion.

So, no 165 baht bottles of Chang just yet... but maybe in the future?

At that time it may well be worth looking at some homebrewing equipment...

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andrewrooney Advanced Member

andrewrooney

Posted
Posted

I believe home brewing is illegal and also difficult in Thailand .Its too hot for fermantation to take place it seems .

Illegal, yes, but so is prostitution, pornography, selling alcohol after midnight, riding a motorcycle without a helmet, littering, opening a food cart on the sidewalk, smoking in a restaurant, etc.

The temperature may present a minor challenge but plenty of people seem to be doing it.

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jackr Diamond Member

jackr

Posted
Posted

It should follow inflation, yes, but anything over that is out of order. Alcohol has always been a relative luxury here, when compared with food at least. Go to Cam chaps, still 50 cents (or less) there for decent (read: not Thai) beer.

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