Thailand unveils liquor control bill to boost tourism, redefines alcoholic beverages

Chính phủ Thái Lan đang đặt mục tiêu đón 35 triệu lượt khách du lịch nước ngoài trong năm 2024 - Ảnh: AFP — The Thai government is aiming to welcome 35 million foreign tourists in 2024 - Photo: AFP

Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke said after a meeting on March 3 that the bill proposed by the Ministry of Health initially focused on public safety, but the government also wanted to promote tourism as it is an important economic sector of the country.

“There will be a balance between health care and stimulating the economy and tourism,” said Chai Wacharonke.

The cabinet will consider the bill in detail within a week, then send it to the National Legislative Assembly - the Government's legal body, for thorough consideration.

The Thai cabinet also rejected three other liquor control bills from the civil society and opposition Move Forward party, which were deemed “too liberal”. However, some useful content from these bills could be incorporated into the Health Ministry’s bill.

The new bill redefines alcoholic beverages, any beverage with an alcohol concentration of no more than 0.5% will not be considered an alcoholic beverage.

The Minister in charge shall have the authority to issue additional regulations controlling the location and time of consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Thailand’s new liquor control bill promises to strike a balance between ensuring public safety and boosting tourism. In February, the Excise Department under the Thai Ministry of Finance officially reduced taxes on alcohol and nightlife venues.

The ad valorem tax rate on wine and sparkling wine has been reduced from 10% to 5%. The tax on fruit wines has also been reduced from 10% to 0%, and the tax rate on local wines (with an alcohol content of less than 7 degrees) has also been reduced from 10% to 0%.

In addition, taxes on nightlife venues, including nightclubs and pubs, will be reduced from 10% to 5% from February 23 to December 31.

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