The cabinet on Tuesday approved a tax exemption on special allowances for state officials operating in the southern border provinces plagued by the insurgency, Deputy Finance Minister Tanusak Lek-uthai said.
The decision will benefit government officials, employees of state agencies, tambon chiefs and their assistants, village chiefs and their assistants, tambon medics, territorial defence volunteers and rangers operating in Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, and Satun provinces, and Thepha, Sabayoi, Nathawi and Chana districts of Songkhla.
The tax exemption takes effect from Jan 1.
Mr Tanusak said the special tax privilege was aimed at boosting the morale of those risking their lives working in the southern border provinces.
The exemption will mean a loss in state revenue of about 40 million baht per year, he said.