Should Thailand tax junk food to help fight obesity?

[benalibina]

Thailand should increase the minimum monthly pension income to 500000 Baht for those farangs who promote a Nanny state.

So what do you propose to do to stop the tidal wave of obesity in Thailand?

I propose that it is not your business. If you want to stay slim, then just do it and let other people do what they want.

Anyway, there isn't a tidal wave. If you are bored, read a book.

why is it not our business? the main purpose of us Farangs here in Thailand is to support, propose and advice the Thai government and whatever Thai authority exists on methods how to improve the country and the well being of its citizens.

moreover, the above-mentioned activities solve partially our problem of being bored to death

Our purpose ??

[samran]

That's what I do: i freely discuss Thailand related issues and one issue is: the last thing we need here are neostalinist functionaries who dictate to other people how to live.

For farks sake, keep your libertarian hyperbolic language for the US themed threads. Save me the 'neostalinism' or the slippery slope to serfdom. The are no UN helicopters. You can keep Montana and Idaho and your hidey holes with your guns and ammo and supplies for the mythical day of revolution.

We all live in a community here, what someone does certainly impacts on others. If you want the perfect libertarian state, I hear Somalia is nice time of year.

My thai taxes are paying for someone else's medical treatment. I have no problem with this, especially in cases where these things are basically unavoidable, but where the individual's behaviour contributes, then I am all for the concept of 'sin taxes' that cause them to be that way instead of my taxes paying for the consequences of their stupid choices.

For me, the issue is about individual responsibility for bad choices. So go ahead and smoke yourself to death or eat junk. But when you turn up to a thai hospital, as a Thai citizen the public hospital will take you, and I'd prefer that your treatment is at least partly paid for by the taxes you paid on the <deleted> you ingested to get you there.

Edited December 30, 2013 by samran

[Naam]

why is it not our business? the main purpose of us Farangs here in Thailand is to support, propose and advice the Thai government and whatever Thai authority exists on methods how to improve the country and the well being of its citizens.

moreover, the above-mentioned activities solve partially our problem of being bored to death

Our purpose ??

[suthansman]

Why not tax the fat people?

Measure them for size and weight. For each inch and each kilo over the body index size and weight for a person of their height. Taking some allowance into consideration, obviously.

For fat children, tax (fine) the parents double the amount.

It has to be better than taxing the slim people by taxing food(stuffs) !!

Edited December 30, 2013 by suthansman

[crispy53]

Hi all i have read most of the comments on this thread and one thing that i would like to ask is how many posters here are thai nationals ,ie were born in thailand as a thai .I see one post on here that disturbs me and it states that the role of farang is to advise the thai government ?Now i dont know if this was said tongue in cheek or in fact the poster was actually serious .The other question id like to ask is why did you come to live in thailand ? If it was because your own country was so XXXXXXXX up because of taxes ect if so then why are you trying to inflict the same stupidity on the thai people ,and also what is the definition of junk food is it maccas ,coke , pizza what ?

[transam]

Hi all i have read most of the comments on this thread and one thing that i would like to ask is how many posters here are thai nationals ,ie were born in thailand as a thai .I see one post on here that disturbs me and it states that the role of farang is to advise the thai government ?Now i dont know if this was said tongue in cheek or in fact the poster was actually serious .The other question id like to ask is why did you come to live in thailand ? If it was because your own country was so XXXXXXXX up because of taxes ect if so then why are you trying to inflict the same stupidity on the thai people ,and also what is the definition of junk food is it maccas ,coke , pizza what ?

Think your a bit .....................

[rijb]

The Thai government claimed the alcohol tax increase, was about health, not profit.

How's that working out?

[Ulysses G.]

Hi all i have read most of the comments on this thread and one thing that i would like to ask is how many posters here are thai nationals ,ie were born in thailand as a thai .I see one post on here that disturbs me and it states that the role of farang is to advise the thai government

Don't get so serious. I'm pretty sure that Naam meant to amuse us.

[robblok]

Even though I am pro exercise and eating healthy I hate the idea of governments taxing us even more. But the arguments Samram provides are also clear if proceeds from such a tax were used to pay for obestity related health issues and thus making sure the rest of us aren't paying for other peoples choices to live unhealthy. Then I am all for it.

Kinda like i say drugs should be free and legal as long as the user pays for his own medical stuff and for the damages he does. That could work the same way prices of illegal drugs would come down and pay for users their health problems.

I am all for freedom of choice but its not fair that others have to pay the bill for the abuse of others.

[Jingthing]

The choice thing is messy. When you see a fat Thai kid who will usually become a fat adult, for life, how was this the Thai kid's choice? I do support the idea of the funds being used for related issues but don't get carried away with the black and white morality schtick. The food environment in Thailand, as in the west, has become much more OBESOGENIC. Taxation "punishment" could help encourage the lessening of this OBESOGENIC food environment.

[Jingthing]

The Thai government claimed the alcohol tax increase, was about health, not profit.

How's that working out?

I think the government here is not very pure and most people including me don't really believe it is about health. The way they treat WINE is sort of the proof of that. I support the idea of regulated highly processed and highly sugared processed foods. I don't support that being done in a clumsy and corrupt way. I can see a good argument being made that the government isn't capable of doing anything like this efficiently and justly, and that might be the very best argument AGAINST it! Alcohol is a little different though because its related to the concept of Thai RELIGIOUS morality and junk food isn't. So perhaps, just perhaps, there is potential to deal with the diet issues just a little bit more rationally.

Edited December 30, 2013 by Jingthing

[transam]

Who can say what is or not junk food. The good ol' British Sunday roast dinner is full of fat and salt. Is this junk food. ?

[Jingthing]

Who can say what is or not junk food. The good ol' British Sunday roast dinner is full of fat and salt. Is this junk food. ?

No! Suggest you do a little research on the typical highly processed foods/ sugary drinks targets of this international trend to try to combat the international obesity epidemic

[transam]

Who can say what is or not junk food. The good ol' British Sunday roast dinner is full of fat and salt. Is this junk food. ?

No! Suggest you do a little research on the typical highly processed foods/ sugary drinks targets of this international trend to try to combat the international obesity epidemic

I don't need to do research, I asked a question regarding a meal that most Brits eat that is full of fat and salt.

[Jingthing]

I think you don't get the concept if you're even asking such a question. Again -- NO.

[transam]

I think you don't get the concept if you're even asking such a question. Again -- NO.

Tell me why .

Kebabs are a staple food from Turkey, Pizza from Italy, all considered junk cos they knock them out in minutes at takeaways.

[David48]

Who can say what is or not junk food. The good ol' British Sunday roast dinner is full of fat and salt. Is this junk food. ?

No! Suggest you do a little research on the typical highly processed foods/ sugary drinks targets of this international trend to try to combat the international obesity epidemic

JT ... you really are muddening the waters here.

You're taking you're one myopic snapshot of Pattaya and trying to replicate that across Thailand as a Country.

Example 1 ... I take the BTS from the end of the line in Bangkok and travel for some considerable distance, before changing trains, travel again, then take the river ferry for about 30 mins.

Probably see a couple hundred of people in that time ... apart from the odd Westerner ... I'm the biggest bloke there. I get a little surprised just how tall some of the Thai men are though.

I head back to the Farm, through the Markets etc ... very very few overweight Thais apart from the occasional 'Large Mumma' cooking (no implied disrespect there).

I can understand how you comment from the context of your causal observations in Pattaya ... but to try and blanket and overlay that over the whole of Thailand ...

Then, to try and stretch the arguement and applying it to Thailand of a 'International Obesity Epidemic' ...

JT ... I'm playing the ball and not the man ... but your argument has so many holes it, the iceberg that sunk the Titanic could float through it.

Now, before you get all JT and start to try and pick apart my post ... let's recap.

You can't refute my observation of a couple hundred Thais ... not one obese person. Nor my trip through the Market ... so, I'm supplying hard evidence that refute your claims.

To make that claim of 'International Obesity Epidemic' and try and apply that to Thailand ... have you done any study tour ... visited every major City and provenance in Thailand? I'm sure not.

Out of courtesy, if you are going to reply ... please reply to the whole post.

Speaking of food ... I'm just back from the Bakery and have some fresh sliced white bread ... and just might indulge myself with a dollop of two of some light Mayonnaise after your inspirational post in another thread.

Thanks Mate ...

.

[robblok]

Who can say what is or not junk food. The good ol' British Sunday roast dinner is full of fat and salt. Is this junk food. ?

No! Suggest you do a little research on the typical highly processed foods/ sugary drinks targets of this international trend to try to combat the international obesity epidemic

JT ... you really are muddening the waters here.

You're taking you're one myopic snapshot of Pattaya and trying to replicate that across Thailand as a Country.

Example 1 ... I take the BTS from the end of the line in Bangkok and travel for some considerable distance, before changing trains, travel again, then take the river ferry for about 30 mins.

Probably see a couple hundred of people in that time ... apart from the odd Westerner ... I'm the biggest bloke there. I get a little surprised just how tall some of the Thai men are though.

I head back to the Farm, through the Markets etc ... very very few overweight Thais apart from the occasional 'Large Mumma' cooking (no implied disrespect there).

I can understand how you comment from the context of your causal observations in Pattaya ... but to try and blanket and overlay that over the whole of Thailand ...

Then, to try and stretch the arguement and applying it to Thailand of a 'International Obesity Epidemic' ...

JT ... I'm playing the ball and not the man ... but your argument has so many holes it, the iceberg that sunk the Titanic could float through it.

Now, before you get all JT and start to try and pick apart my post ... let's recap.

You can't refute my observation of a couple hundred Thais ... not one obese person. Nor my trip through the Market ... so, I'm supplying hard evidence that refute your claims.

To make that claim of 'International Obesity Epidemic' and try and apply that to Thailand ... have you done any study tour ... visited every major City and provenance in Thailand? I'm sure not.

Out of courtesy, if you are going to reply ... please reply to the whole post.

Speaking of food ... I'm just back from the Bakery and have some fresh sliced white bread ... and just might indulge myself with a dollop of two of some light Mayonnaise after your inspirational post in another thread.

Thanks Mate ...

.

David,

Maybe i look different as you but i can say there are plenty of fat Thais and I see them all the time. I don't know how big you are but maybe you just don't consider them fat.

It certainly is not 1 in 10 or so (less then that) but kids are getting fatter for sure i actually see them more and more.

[Jingthing]

Again, I have not asserted Thailand's obesity problem is at Mexican levels. I have asserted (and it is well documented already with links) that Thailand's rate of INCREASE in both overweight and obesity is alarmingly rapid. In my view, now would be a great time for the Thai government to take AGGRESSIVE action of PREVENTION to avoid the more widespread obesity problems of other countries. Yes in my opinion that's where Thailand is heading ... in the direction of Mexico ... but Thailand now has the luxury of time to take preventative action, for Mexico and many countries, it's too late.

I'll also add I personally don't really consider (and a portion of obesity experts agree) that just being overweight (short of being obese) is really a significant HEALTH issue (it can be a social/fashion issue) except in the sense that it is a stepping stone towards actual obesity. So I can understand especially with children starting to be alarmed at the overweight level because then things are heading in the wrong direction. These levels are measured with BMI levels which are fairly accurate for typical modern people but are generally not at all accurate for body builder types.

This isn't an insignificant issue because the press (and public) commonly confuses overweight and obesity. They are not the same thing.

Edited December 30, 2013 by Jingthing

[Naam]

Hi all i have read most of the comments on this thread and one thing that i would like to ask is how many posters here are thai nationals ,ie were born in thailand as a thai .I see one post on here that disturbs me and it states that the role of farang is to advise the thai government ?Now i dont know if this was said tongue in cheek or in fact the poster was actually serious .The other question id like to ask is why did you come to live in thailand ? If it was because your own country was so XXXXXXXX up because of taxes ect if so then why are you trying to inflict the same stupidity on the thai people ,and also what is the definition of junk food is it maccas ,coke , pizza what ?

how dare you to insinuate that my post was not serious?

[Naam]

Again, I have not asserted Thailand's obesity problem is at Mexican levels. I have asserted (and it is well documented already with links) that Thailand's rate of INCREASE in both overweight and obesity is alarmingly rapid. In my view, now would be a great time for the Thai government to take AGGRESSIVE action of PREVENTION to avoid the more widespread obesity problems of other countries. Yes in my opinion that's where Thailand is heading ... in the direction of Mexico ... but Thailand now has the luxury of time to take preventative action, for Mexico and many countries, it's too late.

I'll also add I personally don't really consider (and a portion of obesity experts agree) that just being overweight (short of being obese) is really a significant HEALTH issue (it can be a social/fashion issue) except in the sense that it is a stepping stone towards actual obesity. These levels are measured with BMI levels which are fairly accurate for typical modern people but are generally not at all accurate for body builder types.

This isn't an insignificant issue because the press (and public) commonly confuses overweight and obesity. They are not the same thing.

and because it is not insignificant it is the sacred duty of us Farangs to "support" taxes levied on fattening food stuff.

question to myself: "could i really stand this boring life without reading Thaivisa?"

[Jingthing]

Naam, it's just a discussion here. As I've already documented the idea is already in the Thai consciousness as well. Probably not the masses but the Thai elites that think about such things. I think for the sake of the CHILDREN they should indeed take aggressive action. Obesity scientists know the grim facts, once a child reaches obesity it is highly probable they will be obese for life and obesity for most is extremely undesirable for both health and social reasons. As with most things, PREVENTION is the cheapest and most efficient tactic.

Edited December 30, 2013 by Jingthing

[Thai at Heart]

Hi all i have read most of the comments on this thread and one thing that i would like to ask is how many posters here are thai nationals ,ie were born in thailand as a thai .I see one post on here that disturbs me and it states that the role of farang is to advise the thai government ?Now i dont know if this was said tongue in cheek or in fact the poster was actually serious .The other question id like to ask is why did you come to live in thailand ? If it was because your own country was so XXXXXXXX up because of taxes ect if so then why are you trying to inflict the same stupidity on the thai people ,and also what is the definition of junk food is it maccas ,coke , pizza what ?

If you don't like junk food in thailand go home?

Did you let your kids put coke on their frosties?

[Thai at Heart]

All these libertarians should remember that in thailand the government sets the price of sugar in the domestic market BELOW that of the world price.

Just letting it coat float would be a start.

[transam]

Rice munchers on here make me .

Let folk live their life and eat what they like. Government don't give a toss about road carnage so why should they care about what folk eat..........

[Jingthing]

Rice munchers on here make me .

Let folk live their life and eat what they like. Government don't give a toss about road carnage so why should they care about what folk eat..........

I think they SHOULD care about road carnage and other safety issues and I agree there seems to be a serious lack of action there. But somehow that seems like a topic for another thread.

Edited December 30, 2013 by Jingthing

[AlphMichaels]

A great topic and one now of global epidemic proportion. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports obesity is now the fifth leading cause of death globally. 3 million adults will die in 2014 as a result of being overweight or obese. 44% will be attributable to diabetes and about 23% from heart disease. Obesity is a real problem with cancer too with up to 40% of certain cancers directly attributable to obesity.

I often note with high concern the mad dash of children from schools to the closest 7-11 to buy sweet cakes, sugar filled milk drinks and the usual suspect foods. I see TOO MANY Thai children who can now be considered obese (BMI 30+)..., at a 25-30% level..., which now aligns well with the rest of the world. It IS happening here and the complicit element IMO (this will get me tongue lashed!) are the giants of the processed foods industry (PepsiCo, Nestles et.al.) who focus on “stomach share” and “bliss point” as they develop new products. Many insiders have stated publicly that these labs carefully formulate with the sole intent to deliver whatever a consumer will crave and buy repeatedly.

I think a tax will not make a difference. People have to take charge of their own nutrition habits, exercise and stop over-eating!

[Cuban]

The tax should only apply to fat people.

Eating too many pizzas and burgers makes you fat.

Eating too many bowls of noodle soup makes you fat.

Eating too many chicken salad sandwiches makes you fat.

Eating too many ripe mangos with sweet sticky rice makes you fat.

Eating too many cakes with three sugars in your small cup of coffee makes you fat.

I think I spot a trend that does not focus on Western ideas of "fast food".

Edited December 30, 2013 by Cuban

[brit1984]

yes that is a great idea, thai people are so fat, it's so gross

government should also run compulsory 1 hour/day fitness boot camp for all

and afternoon naps (less than 90 minutes after lunch) should be banned

mango sticky rice should also be illegal

[laobali]

Your poll is worthless. What do you include in 'junk' food? What about all that deep-fried-in-batter stuff sold on Thai streets? Most of those vendors don't even pay tax.