No If, Ands or Bahts About It, RFID To Replace Excise Stamps

From news out of Bangkok cames word that... The Excise Department is preparing to introduce microchips with radio frequency identification (RFID) to replace excise stamps on cigarettes and liquor products within the year.

According to director-general Uthit Thammawathin in this report from the Bangkok Post written by Wichit Chantanusornsiri, ''It's very difficult to distinguish between genuine and fake excise stamps, as those who produce counterfeit products or illegally import products to avoid tax are able to perfectly copy them...''

Baht what's the revenue implication?
The Excise Department has a collection target of 284 billion baht for fiscal 2006 ending on Sept 30, based on the assumption that the government will not reduce excise taxes on any products.