The cabinet approved an increase in minimum wages from Oct 1 onwards.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said the approval was for nine rates of new minimum wages for different provinces in the country. The highest minimum wage will be 354 baht per day in the Eastern Economic Corridor provinces of Chonburi and Rayong and in Phuket province followed by 353 baht in Bangkok and five surrounding provinces. The lowest rate will be 328 baht a day in Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, Nan and Udon Thani provinces.
The cabinet also resolved to extend the reduction in excise tax on diesel by 5 baht per liter for two months from Sept 20 to Nov 20.
The Ministry of Finance expected the state to lose 20 billion baht in revenue from the tax cut.
Besides, the cabinet extended the suspension of excise tax on diesel and fuel oil used for electricity generation for six months from Sept 16 to March 15 to help cushion financial impacts on people and businesses amid high fuel prices worldwide. (TNA)