Thailand Rules Out Raising Value-Added Tax After Public Outcry

Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra ruled out any immediate move to increase the value-added tax after a proposal by the finance minister to more than double the levy drew criticism from the opposition and a key member of the ruling coalition.

The tax will not be raised to 15%, Paetongtarn said in a post on X on Friday, after discussing the issue with Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira and her Policy Advisory Board. The Finance Ministry is studying changes to the existing tax structure in what will be a comprehensive review aimed at reducing inequality and boosting the country’s competitiveness, she ...