Thailand's proposed salt tax to be a tiered system

Thailand is set to introduce a 'salt tax' within the next year, similar to the sugar tax introduced seven to eight years ago, to reduce the public's consumption of sodium, which is currently double the recommended amount. The tax will be imposed on a tiered basis, with products containing higher sodium levels facing a higher tax rate. The Excise Department is also considering restructuring the tax on batteries to promote environmental friendliness, with the tax rate dependant on the battery's energy density and life cycle. The department has set a target of collecting 609 billion baht in excise taxes in fiscal 2025, a 16% increase from the previous fiscal year.

The planned "salt tax" is expected to materialise within the next year, with implementation in the form of a tiered system based on sodium levels. According to Kulaya Tantitemit, director-general of the Excise Department, Thai people currently consume twice the amount of sodium than the standard recommended, and measures to reduce this level of consumption are deemed necessary. This is similar to the sugar tax introduced by the Excise Department 7-8 years ago, which led beverage producers to reduce sugar content in their products. According to Ms Kulaya, the products likely to be subject to the salt tax first might be snacks, which are considered to be non-essential items when it comes to food consumption. The implementation of this measure will be made on a gradual basis to avoid burdening businesses, she added. She also said the salt tax, based on the level of sodium found in foods, would result in the imposition of a higher tax rate on foods with a higher sodium content and a ...