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issue 3 18 27 February 2015
Property Marketplace Area 555 Classifieds Dylanesque
taxing Victor
guesthouse
taxes go up again on booze and fags
hua hin, THAILAND Another rise in alcohol and cigarette prices is expected to occur sometime in March following the passing of legislation in January. This will come into force after publication in the Royal Gazette, which normally occurs within 60 days of legislation being passed. The law in question is the Thailand Sports Act and the key section specifies that every cigarette and liquor exporter, importer and producer must pay a 2-per-cent annual contribution, based on how much excise tax they pay, into the National Sport Development Fund. The fund was established to prepare the readiness and strengthen Thai sport teams at both youth and professional levels, as well as sport personnel such as referees according to a “One Sport Association, One State Enterprise� project. Key areas the fund has already made its mark in have been the Thai Olympic teams, tennis and football, and partnerships have been made with Thai companies to boost the fund, such as the petrochemical giant PTT. According to Finance Ministry data, around Bt200 billion in excise tax was collected last year. Of that amount, Bt76 billion came from taxes imposed on beer, Bt64 billion came from taxes on other liquor products and Bt61 billion came from cigarettes. A Finance Ministry source said the total amount paid into the sports fund would be between Bt3-4 billion. Speculation as to how much retail prices will go up as a result of this tends to be in the 3 to 5 baht range, but as in most countries the drinkers and smokers are among the ones most easily targeted when extra revenue is needed. It is another blow though to the tourist sector, and while alcohol has never been cheap in relative terms in Thailand, cigarettes have, and combined with the continuing strength of the Thai baht and other negative news stories is likely to make Thailand just that bit less appealing to holidaymakers.
open 24/7
Naresdamri Rd. opposite Brasserie de Paris
Rooms/family suites in heart of Hua Hin a/c, lcd tv, dvd player, fridge, free premium wifi, cable TV www.victorguesthousehuahin.com
GET RACING FROM ONLY 400 BAHT! OPEN EVERYDAY 10.30AM - 7PM, LATE NIGHT BY APPOINTMENT Call 032 547 199 (Office) or 081 817 3000 (Mobile) Soi 2, Phetchkasem Road opposite Hua Hin Airport
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