Thai Examiner
Government spokesman’s rebuke to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Keep out of Thai internal affairs
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Key facts
- The clash follows government plans to bring approximately ฿12–14 billion annually under Treasury control, ending dedicated funding for ThaiHealth and three other institutions
- Meanwhile, the government has challenged spending on a luxury Koh Samui tobacco-control conference, citing hotel rooms costing ฿15,000 nightly
- Proposed ThaiHealth law would give government wider control over funding from October 2027 onwards
- Four institutions now face losing guaranteed revenue under legislation proposed to come into effect on the opening day of October 2027.
- Indeed, figures attributed to Thailand’s Excise Department show combined receipts of ฿58.031 billion between fiscal years 2022 and 2025
- Its financial plan for fiscal year 2026 provides for approximately ฿4.58 billion.
Summary
### WHO showdown in Bangkok as Anutin’s government moves to control billions in alcohol and tobacco taxes. ThaiHealth and three other bodies face budget uncertainty, while a luxury Koh Samui conference draws serious questions over public spending claims.
A fierce row has broken out between Thailand’s government and the World Health Organisation over control of billions in alcohol and tobacco taxes. On Sunday, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s spokesman warned the WHO against interfering in Thai affairs. The clash follows government plans to bring approximately ฿12–14 billion annually under Treasury control, ending dedicated funding for ThaiHealth and three other institutions.
Thailand’s government has entered a bitter dispute with the World Health Organisation (WHO) over plans to overhaul alcohol and tobacco taxation. At stake is control over approximately ฿12–14 billion annually, collected through special levies on cigarettes and alcoholic drinks.