The Energy Policy Administration Committee has adjusted the contribution rates for the state Oil Fund, resulting in changes to domestic retail fuel prices.
The Energy Ministry said the committee yesterday cut levy collection on gasohol by 40 satang a litre but raised it on diesel by 30 satang a litre.
The retail diesel price could still drop despite the increased levy, reflecting the sharp decline in global oil prices.
"The retail price of gasohol 95 could drop by one baht a litre, while gasohol 91 and E-20 petrol could fall by 60 satang a litre," energy permanent secretary Areepong Bhoocha-oom said.
The new prices are set to take effect today. Mr Areepong said retail prices for diesel would drop by 30 satang a litre, while the price of E-85 petrol would remain unchanged.
Gasohol 95 will drop to 27.90 baht a litre and gasohol 91 to 26.58 baht a litre, while E-20 and E-85 will cost 25.18 baht and 22.08 baht, respectively.
Mr Areepong said the moves were aimed at balancing levy collection for the Oil Fund and adjusting petrol prices in line with global trends.
As of Sunday, the Oil Fund contained 19.6 billion baht.
Mr Areepong said the greater contributions to the fund would increase liquidity by about 14 million baht a day.
"Although retail oil prices continue to fall, giving people more money left over to spend, the Energy Ministry is still encouraging Thais to consume oil efficiently in order to help save energy in general," he said.
In the long run, the ministry plans to switch its method of collecting money for the Oil Fund to an excise tax.
Mr Areepong said the global oil price could bounce back to a relatively high level, providing the Oil Fund with more liquidity to stabilise prices in the future.
Although prices of fossil fuels continue to fall, energy policymakers are sticking with plans to promote the use of ethanol and biofuels to support long-term energy savings.
According to the Alternative Energy Development Plan, demand for ethanol is expected to triple to 9 million litres a day by 2020.