National—
On February 23rd, 2024, Mr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, the Director General of the Excise Department, publicly announced the adjustment of excise taxes and duties structures on local liquor effective on February 23rd to promote Thailand as a central hub for tourism.
The effective date started February 23rd to December 31st, 2024 as a short-term measure to support entertainment service providers affected by COVID-19 in order to recover, promote, and create job opportunities for locals, stated Ekniti.
Additionally, the Excise Department would raise the level of tax payments, using digital technology, and advocate Thai laws and regulations to international standards,” Ekniti said.
The adjustment on excise taxes and duties structures on local liquor and alcoholic beverages would make the price more appropriate, and international. The price incentive measures would bolster Thailand’s tourism and tourist consumption rates in purchasing Thai food and beverages as a central hub, said Ekniti.
However, Mr. Thanakorn Kuptajitti, the adviser to the Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association, stated that the new tax reduction would only benefit a certain group of people.
In general, the new tax measures did not encourage alcoholic consumption compared to the number of oenophiles (wine lovers) which was limited, while most people enjoyed other types of alcoholic beverages such as fermented liquor, whisky, brandy, and beer.
The new tax reduction did not cover all types of aforementioned alcoholic beverages, Thanakorn said. Instead, the Thai government should consider lifting the ban on alcohol sales from 2 PM to 5 PM as this would potentially boost tourism and the economy in a greater way, remarked Thanakorn.
