Economy
Thai Excise Department Considers Tax Adjustments for Cigarettes and EVs
The Thai Ministry of Finance reports a surplus in government revenue for the first ten months of the 2026 fiscal year, prompting the Excise Department to explore potential tax adjustments.
According to a report from Prachachat Business, the Thai Ministry of Finance has announced that net government revenue for the first ten months of the 2026 fiscal year (October 2025 – July 2026) reached 2,365,717 million baht. This figure exceeds initial projections by 44,830 million baht, or 1.9%, and represents a 5% increase compared to the same period in the previous year.
In light of these figures, the Excise Department is reportedly considering potential tax adjustments for specific sectors, including cigarettes and electric vehicles (EVs), as part of a strategy to secure revenue during the final quarter of the fiscal year.
For residents and travelers in Thailand, these potential policy shifts are significant as they could influence the retail prices of tobacco products and the cost of purchasing or operating electric vehicles. While the government has indicated that these measures are being explored to bolster fiscal performance, it remains to be confirmed which specific tax rates will be adjusted and when such changes might be implemented. As of now, these discussions are part of the department's ongoing fiscal management strategy, and no official timeline for new tax enforcement has been finalized.