Opposition MPs stage House walkout over fuel tax bill

POLITICS

Several opposition MPs have staged a walkout from parliament to show their displeasure at the government for not broadcasting the House debate on the decree to amend the excise tax law.

The House of Representatives yesterday debated the executive decree to amend the Excise Tax Act.

The opposition demanded the session be broadcast live, arguing that the decree touched on a bread and butter issue. The executive decree seeks to double the ceiling on the excise tax on fuel from five to 10 baht a litre.

The government insisted the broadcast was not possible because of technical problems. The government and opposition whips then called a 10-minute break, during which time the opposition proposed that the session be adjourned.

However, the government wanted to continue the meeting and called for a vote in the chamber. The majority agreed to carry on with the meeting.

Deputy Finance Minister Pruektichai Damrongrut said it was important that the decree was passed quickly.

He defended the ceiling adjustment as necessary to keep state revenues balanced.

Some opposition members walked out of the chamber during Mr Pruektichai's explanation. Opposition Puea Thai Party MP Surapong Towijakchaikul said the decree would burden the public. The Senate earlier rejected the decree and returned it to the lower house, which was due to vote on the amendment at midnight last night.