Poj Aramwattananont, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) and the Board of Trade of Thailand, said the TCC supports the resolution reached by the EV Board on September 10, 2026, which approved in principle the restructuring of excise taxes for electric vehicles (EVs).
Under the proposed restructuring, EVs manufactured with a high proportion of domestic components would qualify for lower excise tax rates, while Completely Built-Up (CBU) imported vehicles would be subject to higher rates.
The approach is intended to promote fair competition and encourage automakers to invest in Thailand, expand domestic manufacturing, create jobs, and develop the local automotive supply chain.
“Promoting EVs should not merely turn Thailand into a market for electric vehicles; it must elevate the country into a production and export hub for the vehicles of the future. The more a company invests, manufactures, utilizes Thai components, creates jobs, and facilitates technology transfer, the greater the benefits it should receive,” Poj said.
However, the TCC urged the government to urgently clarify key details of the proposed measures, particularly the definitions and required ratios for “Local Content” and “Thai Content,” as well as the criteria governing CBU imports.
The TCC said these criteria should include appropriate import volume caps and clearly defined timeframes. Incentives should also be allocated according to the level of investment and the economic value each manufacturer generates for Thailand.
The chamber also emphasized the need to preserve Thailand’s existing automotive manufacturing strengths, particularly pickup trucks, which it described as a national “Product Champion.” At the same time, the government should continue supporting Thai auto-parts manufacturers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) throughout the supply chain.
The TCC said it is ready to work with the government and industrial sector to develop measures that strike a balance between the transition to EVs, consumer protection, and the long-term competitiveness of Thailand’s automotive industry.
The chamber stressed that Thailand’s EV policy should go beyond expanding the domestic market and instead focus on attracting higher-value investment, strengthening local production capabilities, and positioning the country as a regional production and export hub for next-generation vehicles.
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