Public Rejects Shift of Alcohol, Tobacco Tax Funds to Budget
More than half of respondents opposed a proposal to shift funding for Thai PBS, the Health Promotion Fund, the Elderly Fund and the National Sports Authority from alcohol and tobacco taxes to the national budget. The public consultation ran from September 30 to October 14, 2026, with varying turnout and approval rates across the four bills. Opposition was strongest for the Health Promotion Fund draft, where nearly 90 percent voted against it.
The public consultation on the four draft bills was held from September 30 to October 14, 2026, ending at midnight. Results posted at 00:00 on October 15, 2026 showed: the Thai PBS bill received 300,714 views and 124,593 votes (41% turnout), with 27.18% in favor and 72.42% opposed; the Health Promotion Fund bill received 118,479 views and 85,727 votes (72% turnout), with 9.32% in favor and 89.47% opposed; the Elderly Fund bill received 28,953 views and 17,327 votes (60% turnout), with 26.66% in favor and 73.11% opposed; the National Sports Authority bill received 25,399 views and 15,546 votes (61% turnout), with 31.85% in favor and 67.88% opposed.
