Do you like sugary and salty foods? Get ready to pay more

[Gaybutton]

New Tax Proposal Takes Aim at Thailand’s Salty Food Obsession

By Suttinee (Ying) Yuvejwattana and Randy Thanthong-Knight

February 26, 2026

Already a regional trailblazer in taxing sugary drinks, Thailand is now eyeing high-sodium foods — a move that could make it the first country in Asia to impose nationwide levies on both sugar and salt.

Officials are preparing a formal proposal for the new government to introduce a phased sodium tax on manufacturers of packaged food, according to Rachada Wanichakorn, deputy director-general of the Excise Department. The proposal follows Thailand’s 2017 sugar tax aimed at curbing obesity and marks a new push to combat salt-related diseases such as hypertension and kidney disorders.

“We want producers to reformulate their products and gradually reduce sodium content,” Rachada said. The sodium tax is more complex than the sugar one, she said, because “sodium doesn’t have straightforward substitutes in the same way sugar does.”

The proposed tax wouldn’t apply to freshly cooked food, ready-to-eat meals or fast food, and would be based on total sodium content, not just salt. This means it will also cover other forms of sodium, such as preservatives and baking soda.

As such, it could spur reformulations across snack and processed food makers seeking to avoid higher excise tiers. Although the move is designed to improve public health rather than boost state coffers, a healthier population would help relieve strain on Thailand’s medical system.

“The objective of this tax isn’t to increase government revenue,” Rachada said. “Rather, it’s intended to create positive social impact and complement non-tax health measures.”

Salt is deeply embedded in Thai cuisine, which emphasizes a balance of salty, sweet, sour and spicy flavors. It’s widely used in food preservation, and fish sauce, a high-sodium condiment, is a staple ingredient in dishes such as papaya salad, tom yum and pad thai.

But the habit comes at a cost.

Thais aged 15 and above consume an average of 3,650 milligrams of sodium per day, nearly double the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of less than 2,000 milligrams, according to a 2024-2025 National Health Survey. The high intake has been linked to rising cases of hypertension and kidney and cardiovascular disease, costing the Southeast Asian nation an estimated 1.6 trillion baht ($51.5 billion) a year in healthcare expenses.

The Excise Department has previously identified instant noodles, frozen meals and savory snacks as major contributors to sodium intake. Products classified as having a high sodium content made up almost 20% of the total market value of ready-to-eat and semi-finished foods in Thailand in 2022.

A December study by Mahidol University estimates a sodium tax on instant noodles and snacks could reduce daily intake by about 53 to 83 milligrams.

The prospect of taxing both sugar and salt shows the government is serious about tackling largely preventable diseases, Surasak Kantachuvesiri, an associate professor at Mahidol University who is also a nephrologist, said in a phone interview.

“Public health campaigns can only do so much to change people’s tastes. We need legal measures and taxes to reshape the landscape, to make extreme saltiness no longer the norm,” Surasak said. Thailand “could also set an example for other countries. Sweetness and saltiness can be addictive. Emotions often outweigh reason. We need an environment that makes healthier choices easier.”

According to Rachada, the salt tax would adopt a tiered structure similar to the sugar levy, with rates rising based on total sodium content per serving. The first phase would impose a “very low” rate on only the highest sodium content foods for at least six years to give manufacturers time to adjust.

Even so, resistance from parts of the food and beverage industry is deep seated. There’s an argument the measure would place an outsized burden on lower-income households. Some consumers also question how much impact it would actually have.

“A higher tax is unlikely to change consumption patterns in a meaningful way,” Thienking Changrien, a 40-year-old office worker said while out getting lunch in Bangkok earlier this week. “Eating habits are deeply rooted in taste, lifestyle and convenience. A tax alone won’t move the needle.”

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles ... -obsession

[Jun]

They have a long way to go.
Here, it seems common to sell fruit, aling with a sachet containing sugar & goodness knows what else. To be honest, I've nevsr actually opened one of those sachets. The fruit is good enough, without polluting it with sugar.

[Gaybutton]

goodness knows what else.

Maybe goodness doesn't know, but I do. It's hot chili. Thais apparently like the combination of sugar and hot chili. If somebody tells me "don't knock it 'till you try it" - sorry. I'm not going to try it, but for sure I'm going to knock it. If anyone actually likes it, you're welcome to mine . . .

[Jun]

Adding sugar to fruit is already a fail for me. I'm not going to try it.

[Gaybutton]

Adding sugar to fruit is already a fail for me. I'm not going to try it.

When I was a child my breakfast very often was a bowl of sugar frosted cereal - and then we added even more sugar to it. And during the day there were plenty more sugary snacks. And plenty of salt in everything too. No wonder I became diabetic and am now also dealing with a fatty liver problem.

I'm glad Thailand is taking steps to do what they can about this problem. Still, when I go to rural areas, especially some of the Issan areas, the farm fields are dominated by sugar cane - and even worse, the burning of the sugar cane stubble is a major contributor to Thailand's air pollution problems.

I realize it would be impractical to try to outright ban sugar, but maybe the correct approach is to try to reduce the demand for it as much as possible.

I think an irony is fresh sugar cane juice, often seen sold on road sides, is actually considered healthy when consumed in moderation. It's the refined sugar that causes the serious health problems.

Many still feel fine when they are still relatively young, but when they get old enough it all catches up to you and there you are with health problems - serious health problems. When I die, I don't want the cause to be the result of things I could easily have prevented simply by controlling what I eat and drink.

"Old age is no place for sissies."
- Bette Davis

[Dodger]

Unlike the majority of foreigners who love Thai food, I'm not one that falls in that category. Sure it tastes great, but, as this article emphasizes, it's not always that healthy.

I've always said that the main ingredients that Thais commonly use are probably the healthiest you can eat - especially if they're using organic vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, herbs, etc., but then they go on to destroy the health benefits by frying everything in fatty oil and then dumping in way too much salt and sugar.

I'm very fortunate because my partner Jai is not only a fabulous cook, but he's also very knowledgeable of the health factors. He only fries foods in either olive or coconut oils...stays away from salt and other sodium rich additives, and knows how to go easy on the sugar for the reasons being discussed.

Personally, I don't think taxing unhealthy foods is the way to go and would be surprised if this proposal ever becomes law.

[Gaybutton]

Personally, I don't think taxing unhealthy foods is the way to go and would be surprised if this proposal ever becomes law.

I agree it is not the way to go, but if that happens it won't surprise me. It would be typical of doing things the worst way possible. I truly believe the solution would be to do whatever it takes to convince the people they should voluntarily avoid the unhealthy foods, along with helping them to know just which foods are unhealthy. My guess is most have no idea they are eating unhealthy food, which foods and additives are the unhealthy ones, and have no idea what that can be doing to them.

In my experience, the most successful way to get people to change their habits and behavior is to get them to think it was their own idea.

[Jun]

When I was a child my breakfast very often was a bowl of sugar frosted cereal - and then we added even more sugar to it.

I also used to eat Frosties as a child, but without even more sugar in top.
I progressed onto something a tad healthier by the time I was 16.

However even cereal marketed as healthy can contain a disgraceful quantity of sugar. Even something like Kellogs All Bran that tells you all about the healthy fibre content has almost 20% sugar. I'd make them carry big warnings on the front of the box, just like cigarettes.

[Gaybutton]

I'd make them carry big warnings on the front of the box, just like cigarettes.

The trick is getting people to pay attention to those warnings, just like cigarettes - and I think most people probably pay zero attention to those kinds of warnings and the warnings actually influence no one.

[Dodger]

We use Premium Light Soy Sauce which has 70% less sodium than table salt. Evan regular soy sauce has much less sodium than salt - but "light" is the best way to go.

I prefer Thai natural honey over sugar but try to use it sparingly. Berries are my favorite breakfast sweetener. One exception being my weekly ice cream treat when all bets are off.