Tax hike more evidence of madness in Thai alcohol laws
The introduction of higher taxes is a sad day for imbibers. Beer, a favourite drink of many, has become about six times more expensive in restaurants and bars than in neighbouring countries like Cambodia and Vietnam.
Nevertheless, there is a glimmer of hope: Wine produced in Thailand and priced below Bt1,000 a bottle is Bt25 cheaper under the new rules.
To celebrate, I finished off my last Bt299 bottles of a popular red wine whose tax seal shows it is Thai-produced. Wanting to replenish my stock the next day with cheaper bottles, I entered the supermarket to buy a box equivalent to five bottles, expecting a price reduction of about Bt125.
After 30 years’ experience in Thailand, I should have known better. The box was Bt100 more expensive.
I emailed the Bureau of Consumer Protection for clarification but received no reply. I wonder if the bureau is a phantom mentioned only on Internet to appease the consumer?
Bottles of imported wine priced above Bt1,000 are now Bt110 more expensive, a rise of 11 per cent, which makes drinking a nice glass of wine prohibitive for average earners, and places Thailand as one of world’s the most expensive countries for buying wine. Not every tourist drinks wine, but these prices must be frightening a lot of visitors who like to celebrate with a tipple on holiday.
Peculiar also is the fact that whisky and brandy, with about three times more alcohol per bottle, are cheaper than wine, encouraging the population to swap beer and wine for hard liquor that is far more detrimental to public health.
Rules on buying alcohol in Thailand are in fact a mess with no rational thinking detectable.
Many are the times I have been embarrassed in front of business associates at a late lunch by ordering wine which is then refused because it is after 2pm. The frustration is aggravated by the knowledge that, in a neighbouring restaurant, staff are happy to continue serving alcohol in the afternoon. And we all know that the alcohol rule in supermarkets is seldom observed by neighbouring Mom-and-Pop stores.
A trip to the border to stock up on wine and whisky suddenly seems to be worth the time and cost.
Egon
