Cabinet to Consider E20 Excise Tax Cut Amid Fuel Price Surge
Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul says volatile global crude oil prices are behind Thailand's rising fuel costs. The cabinet will meet on October 27 to consider cutting the excise tax on E20 fuel to provide relief at the pump. Anutin added that the government's broader strategy is to overhaul the national energy structure to reduce long-term dependence on imported crude oil.
Speaking at Sanam Luang at 7:30 a.m. on October 24, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul responded to public concern over climbing fuel prices. He stated that the cabinet will consider the excise tax on E20 at its Tuesday, October 27 meeting, aiming to find a way to reduce prices. Anutin explained that fuel costs are driven by fluctuating crude oil prices, which is why the administration is pushing to transition the country's energy structure and reduce reliance on crude oil as much as possible. When asked whether Tuesday's meeting would produce a concrete measure to lower fuel prices, Anutin replied only that the matter would be proposed to the cabinet.