Government rejects proposal to cut fuel tax by 5 baht, focuses on targeted assistance via E20 and B20
The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) and the Ministry of Finance have expressed their views on the proposal by Korn Chatikavanij to reduce the diesel tax by 5 baht per liter to alleviate the cost-of-living burden on the public. Both government agencies agree that this proposal should not be implemented at this time.
The primary reason for the government's rejection of the proposal is the need to manage the budget cost-effectively and efficiently. The focus is on providing targeted assistance to those truly affected, rather than a blanket tax cut, which could impact state revenue in the long term.
The approach currently supported by the government is to promote the use of E20 and B20 fuels, which contain ethanol and biodiesel derived from agricultural products. This support not only helps reduce expenses for motorists but also assists Thai farmers in distributing their produce and securing a more stable income.
Implementing policies of this nature is considered a more sustainable solution, as it creates a balance between reducing the cost-of-living burden on the public and supporting the agricultural economy simultaneously.
However, the public should continue to monitor the fuel price situation closely, as the government still maintains other measures to manage energy prices to ensure they do not excessively impact the lives of citizens in the current economic climate.