Thailand may consider raising taxes on sugary drinks

BANGKOK, May 8 (TNA) - The National Reform Steering Committee is expected to propose a tax hike on sugar sweetened beverages to the government later this month. Dr. Piyada Prasertsom, project manager of the Sweet Enough Network, is promoting a campaign for Thai children to consume less sugar said the proposal is for the government to collect taxes at the minimum of 20 per cent for beverages containing sugar between 6 – 10 grammes per 100 milligramme and at the maximum of 25 per cent for drinks containing sugar over 10 grammes per 100 milligrammes . The proposal is in line with suggestion made by the United Nations World Health Organisation and several countries including Mexico and Hungary are strictly adhering to the suggestion. She said if the proposal is approved by the Thai government, it would help reduce consumption of soft drinks containing sugar that exceed proper levels and manufacturers will have to find a new formula for their products to reduce the amount of sugar. (TNA)