The government's net tax income and income from other sources totalled Bt78.47 billion last month, 9.6 per cent lower than targeted but 5.3 per cent higher when compared to the corresponding month last year, Finance Ministry spokesman Somchai Sujjapongse said yesterday.

The combined revenue collected by the Revenue, Excise and Customs departments before refunds and subsidies to local government was Bt96.91 billion, 6.5 per cent lower than the target, but 7.1 per cent higher than the same month last year.

Tax collected by the Revenue Department rose to Bt66 billion, up 12.1 per cent year on year and 0.2 per cent higher than targeted. Value-added tax contributed to a small surplus, while personal income and corporate income taxes missed their targets by 0.4 per cent and 4.2 per cent, respectively.

The Excise Department collected Bt23.16 billion, up 5.1 per cent year on year but 13.7 per cent lower than forecast. Soaring fuel prices caused people to consume less oil and buy fewer durable goods. Oil tax revenue fell 18.1 per cent, excise levied on vehicles and electrical appliances was down 17.1 per cent and 34.5 per cent, respectively.

The Customs Department collected Bt7.68 billion in tariffs, down 19.2 per cent year on year and 28.9 per cent lower than estimated.

Meanwhile, contributions from the Treasury Department and other state agencies totalled Bt4.2 billion, down 68.1 per cent year on year and 24 per cent lower than forecast. Contributions from state enterprises over the next two months is expected to be lower because privatisation plans have been put on hold.

Government revenue from the beginning of October last year to the end of July this year reached Bt1.08 trillion, Bt292 million less than forecast.

Somchai, however, believes that corporate income tax in August will be quite high and will offset lower revenues collected by other government agencies. He said he expected revenue in the 2006 fiscal year would be close to the target of Bt1.36 trillion.

Wichit Chaitrong The Nation