Thailand just slapped a hefty 45% excise tax on vintage cars, but it’s not trying to kill the classic car scene. The move is designed to position the country as a regional hub for vintage car exhibitions and support the restoration industry, according to Excise Department Director General Kulaya Tantitemit.
Cars over 30 years old will get special black registration plates with white letters, distinguishing them from standard vehicles. The government plans to allow vintage cars to operate on weekends and public holidays, creating designated times for classic car enthusiasts to enjoy their rides.
The vintage car tax represents just one part of Thailand’s broader automotive taxation overhaul. The country has been aggressively pushing electric vehicle adoption through its EV 3.0 and EV 3.5 initiatives, registering more than 233,800 electric cars and around 71,660 electric motorcycles between March 2022 and August 2025.
Electric vehicle tax rates dropped from 8% to 2% for manufacturers meeting factory establishment commitments in Thailand. Companies failing to build promised facilities face compensatory taxes and must produce 1 to 1.5 times their imported vehicle numbers. The December 31, 2025 compliance deadline is approaching fast.
Thirty-one manufacturers have joined the EV programs, including 14 car makers and 17 motorcycle producers. While EV 3.0 participants have established factories, some EV 3.5 companies still haven’t met their commitments.
The vintage car tax fits Thailand’s tourism promotion strategy alongside other measures. Entertainment venue taxes dropped from 10% to 5% through December 31, 2025, helping boost tax collections from $4.37 million (138 million baht) in 2023 to $6.29 million (199 million baht) in the latest period.
Community liquor production also gets support under Thailand’s Soft Power strategy, with registered businesses increasing 5% to 1,824 and tax revenue rising 8% to $39.20 million (1.250 billion baht). Craft beer regulations will relax in December 2025, allowing kegged beer sales outside breweries.
The Excise Department collected $15.41 billion (489 billion baht) over 11 months ending August 2025, up 1.61% from the previous year. Officials expect to exceed their $16.84 billion (535 billion baht) fiscal target by 2.17%.
Thailand is betting that vintage car enthusiasts will accept higher taxes in exchange for special recognition and weekend driving privileges, creating a premium classic car destination in Southeast Asia.
