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Thailand moves to curb salt consumption through proposed sodium tax

A sodium tax is intended to address unhealthy dietary habits among Thais, who consume an average of 3.6 grammes of sodium per day - more than twice the level recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

A shopper browses items at a supermarket. A grace period of one year is expected for a potential sodium tax to allow manufacturers sufficient time to adjust product formulations. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)
A shopper browses items at a supermarket. A grace period of one year is expected for a potential sodium tax to allow manufacturers sufficient time to adjust product formulations. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)

Bangkok (VNA) – Food manufacturers in Thailand will be given a one-year adjustment period to reformulate their products to reduce salt content if a sodium tax is introduced, according to the head of the Excise Department.

Pornchai Thiraveja, director-general of the department, said the proposal for a sodium tax is being considered by the agency.

Relevant stakeholders were invited to jointly design the tax measure to ensure the policy is carefully developed.

The proposed sodium tax aims to regulate salt levels in popular snack products that currently exceed recommended standards. The measure is intended to address unhealthy dietary habits among Thais, who consume an average of 3.6 grammes of sodium per day - more than twice the level recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Excessive sodium intake has been linked to a growing incidence of non-communicable diseases, particularly kidney disease and hypertension.

Pornchai said the Excise Department has consulted WHO Thailand, the Less Salt Network, the Ministry of Public Health and other relevant organisations to analyse and develop an appropriate tax framework. In addition, the department and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation have organised seminars to gather feedback from both public- and private-sector stakeholders on the proposed scheme.

The draft proposal suggests a phased implementation, with sodium thresholds tailored to specific product categories in line with international standards. Manufacturers would be given about one year to adjust production processes and conduct research and development to create healthier product formulations.

The Excise Department introduced a sugar tax on beverages in 2017, implementing it in phases to allow producers to gradually reduce sugar content. On April 1, 2025, the sugar tax entered its fourth phase.

Beverages containing 0-6 g of sugar are exempt from the tax, while those containing 6-8 grammes are taxed 1 THB (O.032 USD) per litre, with the maximum rate of 5 THB per litre applying to beverages containing 14 grammes of sugar or more./.

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