Bangkok: The Senate's Economic Committee has withdrawn its report on tax restructuring from the meeting agenda. The Senate Committee on Economics, Finance, and Fiscal Affairs decided to remove the report to update the information to reflect current global circumstances.
According to Thai News Agency, the Senate meeting was chaired by Mr. Boonsong Noisophanon, the Second Deputy Speaker of the Senate. The committee requested the withdrawal of its completed report on restructuring Thailand's tax system. Mr. Boonsong mentioned that withdrawing an item from the agenda requires a vote by the assembly. However, some Senators, including Senator Prinya Wongcherdkwan, expressed disagreement, arguing that the report needed to be clarified to the public. Senator Wongcherdkwan emphasized the importance of explaining the details of the report, which did not solely concern the increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) to 10%, as the current VAT rate is already 10% but has been relaxed to 7%.
Meanwhile, Senator Tewarit Maneechai argued for public communication of the report. Although it proposed a VAT increase, this proposal has been delayed since 1997 and aims to reduce inequality or redistribute income. He urged for a fair debate on the details, emphasizing the report's discussion of an ideal future situation.
Senator Palawat Tansiri, the spokesperson for the Committee on Economics, Finance, and Fiscal Affairs, confirmed the resolution to withdraw the report. He stated that the content needs to be updated to remain relevant to the changing global context, benefiting both the public and the government. The report, originally studied in 2025, no longer aligns with the present situation. Senator Tansiri assured that the revised report will be submitted to the Senate at an appropriate time.
The Senate listened to the report and had no objections, which, according to the regulations, constitutes a vote of approval to remove the report from the agenda.