During the last few weeks rumours of increases of 100% or more in the cost of alcohol have been circulating in the media. The government have finally released specific details of what is going to happen.
The tax on beer and wine will be calculated on retail value. That means a probable rise of 30% in tax. Cigarettes will be a 90% tax rise as the government increase their attempts to reduce the number of people smoking.
The ACTUAL rise in the cost of beer and wine to consumers will be between 10 and 20% and the increases will come into effect in October or January of next year.
Time to go teetotal ? Perhaps or better still, just drink a little more SLOWLY !
(Source: The Nation, Thailand)