Diesel excise tax may return in March
The Excise Department plans to re-collect diesel excise tax in March if allowed by the Cabinet, said Benja Louichareon, director-general of the department.
To minimise the impact, a multi-step collection scheme will be in place, starting with Bt1 per litre in the first place. The tax would be raised to Bt5 per litre some time before the end of this fiscal year in September, she said.
"We won't immediately collect Bt5 per litre, as impacts on consumer must be taken into account. A huge increase could shock the market," she explained.
The excise tax of Bt5 per litre had been waived since April last year. The waiver would end in February. The collection of diesel excise tax by Bt1 per litre would raise a monthly income of Bt1.5 billion to the department.
Benja reasoned that a slight decrease in global diesel prices gives a good opportunity for the re-collection. Diesel prices should head downward as Europe should welcome the summer soon and should demand less fuel. Moreover, this would also end price distortion.
The issue would be submitted for Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong's consideration within this week.
