"Tawee" received a letter from 29 southern border coalition groups opposing the draft ThaiHealth Act, which proposes dismantling the sin tax system. They fear the budget will be pulled back into bureaucratic control, creating opportunities for corruption and kickbacks. Public consultation results show over 90% opposition. Plans are underway to push MPs to debate and block the bill in parliament.
On 17 Oct 2026 GMT+7, Pol. Col. Tawee Sodsong, party-list MP and leader of the Prachachat Party, serving as advisor to the House Committee on Law, Justice, and Human Rights, stated that on 16 Oct 2026 GMT+7 he, along with Kamonsak Liwamo, Narathiwat Constituency 5 MP of Prachachat Party, and Kuhaeng Yawohasan, former Secretary to the Minister of Justice, received an open letter from representatives of 29 health and social risk prevention coalitions in the southern border provinces. They urged the government to reconsider and withdraw the draft ThaiHealth Promotion Fund Act (Amendment) proposed by Anutin Charnvirakul and colleagues.
The key point of the draft law aims to change the funding mechanism by abolishing the 2% levy on alcohol and tobacco excise taxes (sin tax) that directly funds the ThaiHealth Promotion Fund Office, replacing it with allocations from the annual government budget. This has raised concerns among local civil society about potential impacts on the continuity and stability of community health funding.
Pol. Col. Tawee said during a meeting with network representatives that health is the most important matter as it accompanies everyone throughout life. In the justice system, drug-related crimes are the top offense, followed by accidents, especially drunk driving, which causes more loss than theft cases. Preventing these risk factors is therefore crucial.
He added that from his personal experience fighting against large multinational tobacco companies in the past, no government faction stood firm in that fight—only ThaiHealth actively drove preventive measures. This made him recognize the organization's value in prevention work.
"Thailand has a high corruption problem. When health funding is pulled back into the normal budget system, it is seen as vulnerable to corruption, lobbying, and budget grabbing. From initial public hearings under the constitution, over 90% of people oppose this draft," he said.
Pol. Col. Tawee further stated that this draft law has yet to be scheduled for consideration. If the proponents do not withdraw it, the Prachachat Party will carefully examine the issue, preparing information for Kamonsak Liwamo and other party MPs to debate the pros and cons in the House of Representatives.
"The ThaiHealth Fund has the advantage of submitting annual reports to parliament for oversight, allowing both lawmakers and the public to see how the budget is used and its benefits. If it shifts to the general government budget, it is unclear whether the current reporting and oversight system will remain as effective. Our party will act to ensure that community health workers do not lose opportunities," Pol. Col. Tawee said.
Highlighting success in helping children quit smoking.
A representative from the Ban Thaisuk youth group in Lalo Subdistrict, Rueso District, Narathiwat Province, working with Lalo Health Promoting Hospital, said they have received funding support from ThaiHealth to drive activities that create safe spaces and youth leaders in the community. This enabled them to reintegrate school dropouts and help youth successfully quit smoking and vaping.
"If the system changes and the ThaiHealth budget is lost, small communities and youth groups feel they are being deprived of chances to develop their villages," the youth representative said.
Meanwhile, a representative from the Narathiwat Provincial Child Council reflected that ThaiHealth supports media and campaign activities raising awareness among children and youth about the harms of alcoholic beverages on National Youth Day, serving as a key preventive mechanism before problems escalate.
Submitting five demands.
The five demands submitted by the coalition network to Pol. Col. Tawee are:
1. Withdraw the draft law or postpone decisions until a comprehensive impact assessment is conducted.
2. Conduct long-term fiscal and budget impact evaluations.
3. Consider effects on vulnerable groups, children, youth, and communities in affected areas.
4. Improve governance and oversight without necessarily abolishing the original 2% sin tax funding mechanism.
5. Openly solicit public opinions and participation before proceeding with legal amendments.