Diesel and Benzine Tax Hike Won’t Affect Pump Prices, Says Deputy Finance Minister
BANGKOK — Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul has reassured the public that a 1 baht per litre increase in excise tax on diesel and benzine will not impact fuel pump prices, as the adjustment will be counterbalanced by a reduction in contributions to the Oil Fund from oil refiners.
He explained that the tax increase is purely an internal revenue adjustment between the Finance and Energy Ministries, and will not translate into a higher financial burden for consumers.
Kulaya Tantitemit, Director-General of the Excise Department, supported the statement, noting that the global decline in oil prices has created room for the tax revision. She emphasized that the move was aimed at stabilizing the Oil Fund and would not raise the cost of living.
In a related development, the National Energy Policy Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has decided to maintain the electricity price at 3.99 baht per unit for the period from September to December, in a bid to keep energy costs manageable for households and businesses.
