As on previous visits to Thailand I was again taken aback at the pricing for a decent bottle of wine, even in a well stocked store or supermarket. In many cases a bottle of Johnny Walker Black was less than an OK bottle of wine, so we mostly drank scotch and beer on this trip.

However, we were told by an expat who lives there and is married to a Thai that recently an agreement was signed with Chile and Australia to import wine into Thailand and have a greatly reduced tax on these wines which should mean prices similar to the USA. Apparently this new deal goes into effect in April so really hope it does happen and allow for some decent affordable wines. After that, I would say Thailand will be all but perfect as a destination!
Sue

That would be an interesting development!

Thats the best news ive heard yet

I don't think that the Thai FTA(Free Trade Agreement) with Australia and Chile includes wine. In one case, the Thai FTA with Japan regarding the import of Japanese luxury car was signed but then later shot down by the WTO(World Trade Organisation) after the EEC and the USA deemed it us unfair trading practices.

My example about the Thai - Japan FTA is that the agreement was changed after signing because other trading partners does not agree with it.

The Thai - Australia FTA on wine is: "Thailand immediately reduced its previous 54% tariffs on wine to 40%, and will phase the tariff to zero in 2015". There is a strong anti alcohol movement in Thailand at the moment and between that and our other trading partners for wine I don't think that this agreement will last.

Another important point is that these FTA agreements were signed by the previous government and are under "review" by the new administration.