The Excise Department has introduced a new tax for vintage cars and plans to allow them to operate on weekends and public holidays. Kulaya Tantitemit, Director General of the Excise Department, said the department supports the use of electric vehicles, including cars and motorcycles, under the EV 3.0 and EV 3.5 initiatives. These measures aim to position Thailand as a central hub for electric vehicle production and use.
From March 2022 to August 2025, 233,802 electric cars and 71,667 electric motorcycles have been registered. Thirty-one manufacturers have joined the EV 3.0 scheme, including 14 car makers and 17 motorcycle makers. Ten car manufacturers are involved in the EV 3.5 phase.
Manufacturers that fail to meet agreements to establish electric car factories in Thailand must produce between 1 and 1.5 times the number of imported vehicles and pay compensatory taxes.
The excise tax rate for electric vehicles is reduced from 8% to 2%, with the 6% difference charged as a fine if factory commitments are unmet. The government has set a December 31, 2025 deadline for compliance. While the EV 3.0 project has seen factories established, some EV 3.5 participants have yet to comply.
The Excise Department has also extended a reduced tax rate for entertainment venues from 10% to 5% to boost tourism. Initially set to end on December 31, 2024, the reduction will now last until December 31, 2025.
The move has increased the number of registered businesses and improved tax revenue. Collections rose from 138.77 million baht in 2023 to 182.15 million baht in 2024, reaching 199.73 million baht from October 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025.
A new excise tax of 45% has been introduced for vintage cars to promote Thailand as a regional centre for vintage car exhibitions and support the restoration industry. Cars over 30 years old will receive new registration plates with black backgrounds and white letters, differing from standard plates.
The department is also encouraging community liquor production as part of Thailand’s Soft Power strategy, amending regulations to support new producers and promote fair competition. Registered businesses increased by 5% to 1,824, while tax revenue rose 8% to 1,246 million baht.
Plans are underway to relax craft beer regulations, allowing kegged beer to be sold outside the brewery, with implementation expected in December 2025.
Over 11 months, from October 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025, the Excise Department collected 489,564.14 million baht in excise taxes, a 1.61% increase from the previous year. The department expects to meet its 2025 fiscal target of 535,000 million baht, exceeding the previous year by 2.17%.
The story Thailand introduces new tax for vintage cars to boost tourism as seen on Thaiger News.
