New Excise Tax Means Higher Booze Prices

[Gaybutton]

The following appears in PATTAYA ONE:

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Pattaya Reacts to Excise Tax Increase on Cigarettes and Alcohol

 

We have some bad news for drinkers here in Pattaya who are now facing the prospect of paying more for their drink. The price increase is not down to bar owners but the Government of Thailand who have just approved an excise tax increase on cigarettes, beer and liquor which comes into effect as of now.

 

The increase was announced on Wednesday by Khun Pruttichai, the Deputy Finance Minister who explained that the tax for cigarettes will add an extra 3 Baht to a packet of 20 and drinkers will now pay between 2 and 3 baht extra for liquor and beer. An extra 12 Billion Baht per year is expected to be generated due to this tax increase.

 

We spoke with Khun Tada, the Sales and Marketing Manager of the Supamit Company who distribute and sell alcoholic beverages here in Pattaya who appeared baffled that the Government have imposed this tax increase at a time when tourism is down around the entire Kingdom and the general economy is suffering as a result of the global economic crisis. He suggests a quick rethink before further harm is down to the already fragile economy.

 

We also spoke with a number of beer bar owners who echoed the thoughts of Khun Tada and appeal to the Government to rethink the tax increase.

[Guest GaySacGuy]

One of the worst things you can do for the economy when it is down is increase taxes!! That is why Obama put off the retraction of the the Bush tax cuts for the rich, as it doesn't help the economy.

[Guest gay_grampa]

...and drinkers will now pay between 2 and 3 baht extra for liquor and beer. ...

 

A good excuse for Boyztown to put an extra 10 Baht on their prices

[Gaybutton]

A good excuse for Boyztown to put an extra 10 Baht on their prices

10 baht? You think that's all it will be?

[Guest fountainhall]

I wish they would finally tackle the imbalance in the excise duty by levying higher rates on hard liquor and reducing rates on lower alcohol drinks like wine. I have been known to knock back both on a regular basis, but making the hard liquor more expensive may finally do something to reduce the carnage on the roads.

[Guest Astrrro]

This excise tax increase applies to all of Thailand, right?

[Gaybutton]

This excise tax increase applies to all of Thailand, right?

That's right. All of Thailand.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

, but making the hard liquor more expensive may finally do something to reduce the carnage on the roads.

Unfortunately, people can get just as stupid drunk on beer or wine as the can on hard liquor and cause accidents.

[Guest GaySacGuy]

I wish they would finally tackle the imbalance in the excise duty by levying higher rates on hard liquor and reducing rates on lower alcohol drinks like wine. I have been known to knock back both on a regular basis, but making the hard liquor more expensive may finally do something to reduce the carnage on the roads.

 

I don't know if you have ever priced the "Whiskey" that Thais buy and drink, but it is really cheap, and really strong. A little tax won't change their drinking habits at all. A full bottle is something like 125 baht!

[Guest TOQ]

A full bottle is something like 125 baht!

Up here one large bottle is 85B and the small one is 45B.. There tend to be a few drunks up here

 

john

[Gaybutton]

There tend to be a few drunks up here

I trust you're not among them . . .

 

I think the point is that Thailand has picked, shall we say, an interesting moment to impose a new tax, even if it's a small one. To most people reading this board it's not exactly going to break the bank, but a great many Thais are struggling just to have a few baht. For many, drinking, usually with friends, is the only entertainment outlet they can afford at all and, as far as I can tell, getting drunk is as ingrained into the culture, especially the uneducated rural poor, as sending money home to mama is ingrained in the culture of most of the boys.

 

They're the ones who will suffer from this and I suspect many are going to resort to moonshine, which can be a dangerous thing to do.

[Guest GaySacGuy]

Up here one large bottle is 85B and the small one is 45B.. There tend to be a few drunks up here

 

john

 

john

 

That is probably what it is here in Ubon too...I was just guessing. My bf doesn't drink the stuff, but he does like his 100 pipers. For me I will stick with Bacardi Rum, and a bottle last many weeks!!

[Guest GaySacGuy]

GB I would say that the drinking is the only "entertainment" that many of the rural people have. If all of these folks had money, there would be an amazing number of alcoholics. They just drink all the booze they can afford to buy...all of it. There seems to be no saving for tomorrow. When the bottle is empty, then we finished!!

[Gaybutton]

When the bottle is empty, then we finished!!

Unless, of course, there's a second bottle . . .

[Guest GaySacGuy]

Unless, of course, there's a second bottle . . .

 

Maybe I should have said "When the LAST bottle is empty then we finished"!!