The government's revenue collection surpassed the target by 4% for the four months to January, largely driven by a higher than expected contributions from state enterprises and other state agencies.
The government collected 738 billion baht from October to January, exceeding the target by 28.3 billion, said Finance Ministry spokeswoman Kulaya Tantitemit.
State enterprises' income contribution for the period was 12.9 billion baht higher than projected, while other state agencies' income was 12.7 billion above target.
State enterprises' income contribution was 50.6 billion baht for the period. The top five contributors were the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, the Government Lottery Office, the Government Savings Bank, the Provincial Electricity Authority and GH Bank.
Ekniti Nitithanprapas, director-general of the State Enterprise Policy Office, said state enterprises have contributed more income to the government in recent fiscal years thanks to their improving efficiency.
State enterprises' income contribution has helped offset the government's budget deficit, while their investments have been a driving force for the economy.
The target for fiscal 2018 revenue collection is 2.45 trillion baht, while the annual budget is 2.9 trillion, leaving a deficit of 450 billion. But that deficit swells to 550 billion baht when an additional 100-billion borrowing plan for the supplementary budget is included.
For the 56 state enterprises, their income contribution target is 137 billion baht.
Ms Kulaya said state agencies provided 84 billion baht from October to January.
The Public Debt Management Office provided the government with bond premiums, while higher income from the 1800-megahertz spectrum auction also boosted state agencies' income contribution.
The Treasury Department amassed 3.59 billion baht, outpacing the target by 366 million or 11.3%.
The Excise Department collected 37.6 billion baht, 1.25 billion or 0.7% more than targeted during the period, she said.
The Revenue Department collected 508 billion baht for the four months to January, missing the target by 6.48 billion or 1.3%, but up 2% year-on-year.
