Groups oppose LPG measures
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A group of LPG-related businesses are seeking signatures to support its opposition to the Energy Ministry's proposed excise tax hike.
The ministry plans to levy the excise tax on LPG, the registration fee of LPG-fuelled vehicles and the import duties of LPG equipment for vehicles.
Surasak Nittiwat, the leader of a vehicle gas business association, said such taxes are against the international practices which support the use of LPG and natural gas in vehicles for an environmental reason. He said higher excise tax on LPG at fuel stations would boost the price and encourage some to equip their vehicles with gas for household use.
The higher registration fee could also encourage the vehicle owners from properly registering their vehicles, he said. It was suggested that all vehicles are checked on an annual basis and the registration fee should be cut in line with pollution level.
Meanwhile, an increase in duties on equipment imports from 10 per cent is also opposed, as they are meant to reduce pollution, he said.
"The government's signals that LPG for transport sector is not supported could bring about economic losses of over Bt3.9 billion a month. Businesses may be shut down, leading to the unemployment of over 27,000 workers in all related businesses. These workers earn about Bt400 million a month," Surasak said.
