Thai Finance Minister admits talks underway for raising alcohol tax

[webfact]

Finance Minister admits talks underway for raising alcohol tax

BANGKOK, 29 August 2013 (NNT) – Finance Minister Kittirat Na Ranong has admitted there has been discussion among the Cabinet members on the raising of taxes on liquor, although enforcement of the new taxation rate will not be carried out any time soon.

According to Mr. Kittirat, the discussion has to do with changing the per-liter tax ceiling to 2,000 baht per liter for all types of liquor. Currently, wine and beer are taxed at 60% plus another 100 baht per liter of alcohol content. Whiskey, brandy and special liquor are taxed at 50% in addition to another 400 baht per liter of alcohol content.

However,much more remains to be done before the new ceiling can be implemented, meaning the prices of liquor will remain the same for the time being. Mr. Kittirat

The finance minister also spoke of the creation of a fund which will take 1.5 to 2 percent of alcohol excise tax collected. Although it is yet to be established, the fund, of which the initial amount is expected to be 1 billion baht, will go toward supporting the handicapped, and paying for education, as well as financing the Excise Department's activities. Minister Kittirat has likened the fund to the Thai Health Promotion Foundation.


-- NNT 2013-08-29

[theblether]

This is the end, drink up boys it's all over now

[NeverSure]

This is the end, drink up boys it's all over now

Yep, you have to get out Blether. This is part of them wanting only quality tourists.

[clockman]

Make your own! like many people did in Saudi!

[NongKhaiKid]

Window dressing BS as what the government says the newly raised revenue will be used for and what it's actually used for will likely be world's apart especially for a cash strapped government.

The populist PTP will be hitting one of the few pleasures the working man has and it's pointless tarting it up with health and other noble reasons. Increased costs will not affect those with money and I don't see the likes of Chalerm wondering if he can afford another.

[Thait Spot]

The peasants will surely revolt.

Increasing the tax on rice whisky to pay for rice mountains is scandalous

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[yankee99]

I guess all the drinkers are still sleeping it off...When they sober up lots of comments coming,,,,,,,

[yimlitnoy]

What need we further to show the destructive action of this government on the human mind? I can only afford to go out during Happy Hours as a pint of beer in Thailand is going prohibitive, now they want to force us to stay at home and drink the cheapest beer. My experience is that the cheapest beer brings the most severe headaches.

[trainman34014]

This will probably only apply to 'The evil Farang made alcohol that is much more dangerous '. One thing is for sure; the local distilleries in the village's will just up the output and keep the price stable for Somchai.

[rogerdee123]

Same same visa stamps ...... this creates a new lucrative market for the alcohol tax stamps ... hmmm ... is this the tax dept or customs who will be getting this windfall ?

[SOTIRIOS]

Same same visa stamps ...... this creates a new lucrative market for the alcohol tax stamps ... hmmm ... is this the tax dept or customs who will be getting this windfall ?

The finance minister also spoke of the creation of a fund which will take 1.5 to 2 percent of alcohol excise tax collected. Although it is yet to be established, the fund, of which the initial amount is expected to be 1 billion baht, will go toward supporting the handicapped, and paying for education, as well as financing the Excise Department's activities. Minister Kittirat has likened the fund to the Thai Health Promotion Foundation.

...operative word...'take'.....that is this government's specialty.....

....all other money has already been taken...

...as for the D.S.I. being in the news....surely they are aiming for a budget increase....

[Pimay1]

Although it is yet to be established, the fund, of which the initial amount is expected to be 1 billion baht, will go toward supporting the handicapped, and paying for education, as well as financing the Excise Department's activities.

Supporting the handicapped.......B50,000

Paying for education.........B50,000

Financing the Excise Department's activities.....B999,900,000

[RogueLeader]

Although it is yet to be established, the fund, of which the initial amount is expected to be 1 billion baht, will go toward supporting the handicapped, and paying for education, as well as financing the Excise Department's activities.

Supporting the handicapped.......B50,000

Paying for education.........B50,000

Financing the Excise Department's activities.....B999,900,000

Especially when you realise that 'education' will mean a series of cheap TV and billboard adverts about the evils of a cold beer which will perversely end up promoting booze and increasing tax take.

Trebles all round!

[lee b]

Stupid make the money somewhere else

[Thai at Heart]

They have to tax stuff like this because so many people don't pay the taxes they should.

[Ricardo]

If essentials like rice & booze & gas keeping going-up in price, when & how-much will the next increase in the Minimum-Wage be, to compensate the poor for the rising cost-of-living ?

And what about the cost to the many poor whose incomes aren't helped by the official Minimum-Wage ?

[lujanit]

What the Finance Minister neglected to mention is that farangs would be exempt from this tax as compensation for not being able to legally own land.

[Robby nz]

Was reported elsewhere that it has already been approved by cabinet ??????