Democrat MP Calls for Review of Sin Tax Fund Allocation
Democrat Party MP Korn Chatikavanij urged a thorough review of using alcohol and tobacco taxes to fund four state agencies—Thai PBS, the Health Promotion Fund, the Elderly Fund and the Sports Authority of Thailand—arguing that the money must be spent efficiently and transparently. He said the original justifications for these funds, such as media independence for Thai PBS, need to be reassessed in light of changing media habits and budget constraints. Korn warned that the government should ensure any reallocation of sin‑tax revenue delivers real value to taxpayers and is subject to parliamentary oversight.
On October 4, 2026, Korn Chatikavanij, a party-list MP and deputy leader of the Democrat Party, commented on the Bhumjaithai Party's proposal to amend four laws: the Thai Public Broadcasting Service Act, the Health Promotion Fund Act, the Elderly Persons Act, and the Sports Authority of Thailand Act. The proposal seeks to shift funding for these agencies from alcohol and tobacco taxes to the annual budget.
He noted that the 2018 Financial Discipline Act prohibits the previous practice of earmarking tax revenue for specific agencies, although it contains a grandfather clause for laws enacted before 2018. Nevertheless, Korn said every matter should be questioned and the use of tax money reviewed for maximum efficiency and benefit to taxpayers, which is the government's responsibility.
He added that, regarding Thai PBS, its original purpose a decade ago—to provide politically independent, free media free from capitalist or political influence—should be re‑evaluated against today’s media landscape, where audiences rely less on mainstream channels and alternative outlets face funding cuts. He questioned whether Thai PBS still delivers value for its tax‑supported budget and whether its independence has been used to fulfill its original mandate.
Korn also stressed that authority over tax allocation should reside with the elected government, not with semi‑autonomous agencies that bypass parliamentary scrutiny. He argued that periodic reviews are warranted, especially when former rationales no longer apply or are poorly implemented.
When asked whether the move to shift sin‑tax funding reflects the government’s fiscal situation, Korn said the core issue is whether the state budget is being used cost‑effectively. He criticized the recently approved 2027 budget as wasteful and opaque, insisting that all tax‑funded spending must be transparent and open to audit.
