Alcoholic beverage producers and traders are subject to qualifications set by the Excise
Department and the Department of Industrial Works (DIW) in order to get licenses. Apart from being a Thai company, applicants must meet minimum requirements regarding production
capacity, plant area, registered capital, and other measures. Small producers find it difficult to
enter this industry. One exception is the production of traditional spirits, for which the rules and
requirements have been minimized. Alcoholic beverages are also subject to excise tax and value
added tax. Excise tax is the largest component of alcoholic beverage prices. The tax rates have
been raised frequently. To discourage consumption of beverages with high alcohol content, the
excise taxes collected from distilled spirits have been adjusted so as to be based mainly on
alcohol content.
Starting from 4 September 2013, Thailand’s excise tax structure for alcoholic beverages was
changed and new tax rates took effect. The excise taxes on alcoholic drinks were organized into
new categories, and new tax collecting procedures were implemented. Compared with the
previous excise tax ceiling for alcoholic beverages, the new rates were higher. The tax is
collected on alcoholic beverages from both an ad valorem tax and a specific tax. In addition, the
government now employs a new method to calculate excise taxes. The taxes are based on the
wholesale prices at the last step in the supply chain. The Excise Department expects to receive
Bt10 billion more in tax revenue from the new excise tax regime.
Moreover, alcoholic beverage consumption will be reduced by approximately 5%, as the overall
price of alcoholic beverage will rise by 10%-15%. TRIS Rating expects that this new measure, in
addition to the current economic slowdown, may dampen alcoholic beverage consumption and
production during the remainder of 2013, if not longer. The drinkers in the low income group
will be affected more greatly than drinkers in the high income group. Drinkers who enjoy
beverages with high alcohol content will pay more tax than drinkers who imbibe in low alcohol
content beverages.
The government has introduced several programs to control drinking. The programs include
restrictions on advertising and restrictions on the times when alcoholic beverages can be sold.
At present, advertising for alcohol-containing products can run from 10 pm until 5 am of the
next day. Producers must label alcoholic beverage containers and advertise “alcohol decreases
driving ability”. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed to be sold in stores located in a retail gas
station. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited while driving or riding in vehicles using
public roads, except on trains.
In addition, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, B.E. 2551 (2008), came into effect on 14
February 2008. The National Alcoholic Beverage Policy Committee and the Alcoholic Beverage
Control Committee were established. Under the Act, many new enforcement efforts were
established. For example, there are now in place prohibitions on alcoholic beverage
consumption in gas stations and schools, and the prohibition of discounts offered to customers.
The minimum age of persons who can purchase alcoholic beverages was raised from 18 to 20
years old. All of these measures could have a negative impact on the growth prospects of this
industry.