Phatthalung Provincial Administration Waives 90-Day Fuel Tax to Ease Cost of Living
Phatthalung waived its fuel tax for 90 days starting May 6th, suspending a 4.54 satang-per-liter charge to help residents cope with rising energy costs driven by Middle East instability.
Phatthalung residents can expect relief as the Provincial Administrative Organization announces a 90-day suspension of fuel tax collection to ease the cost of living burden. Following an approved resolution, the organization will waive the previous tax rate of 4.54 satang per liter starting immediately.
At 10:30 AM on May 5th, 2026, Wisut Thammaphet, Governor of Phatthalung Provincial Administrative Organization, announced the suspension of the provincial fuel tax at the Provincial Administrative Organization meeting hall. The announcement was joined by Kuldida Petchwongse, President of the Provincial Administrative Council, Kamphu Petchtamrong, Phatthalung Energy Officer, alongside gas station operators, media representatives, and relevant agencies.
Wisut Thammaphet explained that instability in the Middle East has caused global and domestic energy prices to rise continuously, impacting production and transportation costs and driving up consumer prices, which broadly affects the public's cost of living. The Federation of Provincial Administrative Organizations from 14 Southern Thailand provinces held discussions to find relief measures and submitted proposals to the Association of Provincial Administrative Organizations of Thailand. The association voted to allow each province to implement assistance measures appropriate to its circumstances.
For Phatthalung, the Provincial Administrative Organization amended its fuel business tax collection regulations, reducing the tax rate from 4.54 satang per liter to 0.00 satang for 90 days to alleviate the public's financial burden.
The measure takes effect from May 6th, 2026 at 5:00 AM through August 3rd, 2026, with normal tax collection resuming from August 4th, 2026 onwards.
Wisut further stated that this measure represents collaborative effort from all sectors to reduce energy costs for the public and hopes to mitigate the impact of volatile energy prices to some degree.
Other officials present agreed that the measure will help reduce energy costs in the province and benefit the provincial economy, particularly in transportation and retail commerce sectors. The Phatthalung Provincial Administrative Organization hopes this tax suspension will be an important mechanism to assist citizens and build confidence in government management during economic volatility.
