National —
On September 20th, 2024, the Thai Royal Gazette published a new ministerial regulation on alcohol testing for drivers under the Traffic Act, 2024.
This regulation repeals the 1994 and 2017 versions, establishing updated procedures for testing alcohol levels in drivers.
The main method for testing will be through breathalyzer devices, with urine and blood tests as secondary options when breath tests are not possible. These alternatives, however, require driver consent before being conducted.
For urine tests, drivers must provide a sample in a private setting, with police supervision to ensure sample integrity. The sample is then sealed, labeled, and sent to a certified hospital for analysis.
If a blood test is necessary, police must accompany the driver to the nearest hospital, where the sample will be taken under medical supervision.
The regulation also introduces stricter alcohol limits for specific groups of drivers. Drivers under 20 years old, those with temporary licenses, and those without a valid driver’s license will be considered legally intoxicated with a blood alcohol content (BAC) over 20 mg%. For all other drivers, the legal limit is 50 mg%.
The Thai government aims to strengthen road safety measures, especially among younger and less experienced drivers.
Additionally, the Thai government has extended a Royal Decree under the Revenue Code regarding a temporary reduction of the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate.
Initially introduced in 2017, this decree reduces the VAT rate under Section 80 of the Revenue Code to 6.3% for all sales of goods, services, and imports. The current VAT reduction applies from October 1st, 2017, until September 30th, 2024.
In order to maintain consumption growth and stimulate the Thai economy, the VAT reduction has been extended for another year, from October 2nd, 2024, until September 30th, 2025. This measure is aimed at ensuring continued economic expansion in line with national growth targets.
