Thai energy agency raises levies

Thailand’s Energy Policy Committee twice increased the fuel retailers’ contribution to the state oil fund on sales of biodiesel and ethanol-blended gasoline in late February and early March. The committee implemented the increases after the government’s tax reduction scheme for retail oil prices expired at the end of January. Contribution on sales of premium gasohol was first increased to 0.87 baht (US$0.02) per liter, while the contribution on sales of biodiesel increased to 1.12 baht (US$1.30) per liter. Afterwards, the rate was fixed at 1.57 baht (US$0.04) per liter for premium gasohol, while a new increase was placed for regular gasohol at 0.97 baht (US$0.03) per liter. The contribution on sales of biodiesel was increased to 1.52 baht (US$0.04). (February 26/ March 5, 2009)