Thailand: Thailand to increase alcohol taxes, apply alcohol rates to non-alcoholic beers

Not only is Thailand planning on increasing existing tax on all types of alcohol, but it also plans on applying alcohol tax to non-alcoholic beer, according to Director-General of the Revenue Department Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Thaiger reported on September 7.

Ekniti said that the department will increase tax on all types of alcohol, in the fiscal year 2023, to help combat alcoholism among Thailand’s youth. More and more young Thais are drinking heavily, so the price hike aims to reduce alcohol consumption and improve the overall health of the public, he said.

The sincerity of Ekniti’s concern for the public’s health is questionable at best because he also said that the department will start taxing beer containing 0% alcohol. He said that the younger generation is showing more interest in non-alcoholic beer, so it should be taxed.

Surely, non-alcoholic beer should remain tax-free if the goal is to reduce alcohol consumption among young Thais?

Ekniti also said tax on e-cigarettes would be increased, according to KhaoSod. Seeing as E-cigarettes are illegal in Thailand, it is unclear how the tax will be applied, or is already being applied to ‘vapes.’ Unless Thailand is planning to legalise vaping anytime soon.

Just last week, the government reconfirmed their firm stance on the E-cigarette ban. Pro-marijuana Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that vaping poses a major health risk, especially to young people, who account for more than half of all e-cigarette users.

07 September, 2022